Expression profiles of two thaumatin‐like protein (TmTLP) genes in responses to various micro‐organisms fromTenebrio molitor

Abstract

AbstractIt is well known that anti‐fungal thaumatin‐like proteins (TLPs) play important roles in plants. Here, we investigated the expression analysis of thaumatin‐like protein genesTmTLPs in response to various pathogens inTenebrio molitor. Developmental expression patterns ofTmTLPs show thatTmTLPs are highly expressed in the early pupal and adult stages. Furthermore, tissue‐specific expression patterns ofTmTLPs indicate thatTmTLP1is highly expressed in the integument and gut of last instar larvae and the integument and Malpighian tubules of 5‐day old adults. In contrast,TmTLP2is highly expressed in the gut of both last instar larvae and 5‐day old adults. We hypothesize that the expression ofTmTLPgenes in developmental stages may be related to molting and body remodeling stresses. In addition, the induction patterns ofTmTLPgenes indicate thatTmTLPs were slightly induced byEscherichia coli,Staphylococcus aureus,Candida albicansandListeria monocytogenes. Furthermore,TmTLP1andTmTLP2were strongly induced in response toE. coliat 9 h post‐injection andL. monocytogenesat 3 h post‐injection. Our results suggest that TmTLPs may possess antimicrobial functions inT. molitor.