Abstract
Simple SummaryNeuropeptides and their receptors play important roles in insect physiology and behavior. Due to their specificity and importance, they have been considered as the targets for new environmentally friendly insecticides. Hence, more information on genomics and transcriptomics of neuropeptide and their receptors in more insects, especially in beneficial insects, are needed to avoid the side effects of these environmentally friendly insecticides. Aphidius gifuensis is one of the most well-known aphid parasitoids and has been successfully used to control aphids such as Myzus persicae and Sitobion avenae. In this study, we systematically identified neuropeptides and their receptors from the genome and head transcriptome of A. gifuensis. Meanwhile, we also analyzed their expression patterns in response to imidacloprid exposure and in different tissues. Our results not only laid a preliminary foundation for functional studies on neuropeptide precursors and their receptors but also provided useful information for future pesticide development.In insects, neuropeptides and their receptors not only play a critical role in insect physiology and behavior but also are the potential targets for novel pesticide discoveries. Aphidius gifuensis is one of the most important and widespread aphid parasitoids, and has been successfully used to control aphid. In the present work, we systematically identified neuropeptides and their receptors from the genome and head transcriptome of A. gifuensis. A total of 35 neuropeptide precursors and 49 corresponding receptors were identified. The phylogenetic analyses demonstrated that 35 of these receptors belong to family-A, four belong to family-B, two belong to leucine-rich repeat-containing GPCRs, four belong to receptor guanylyl cyclases, and four belong to receptor tyrosine kinases. Oral ingestion of imidacloprid significantly up-regulated five neuropeptide precursors and four receptors whereas three neuropeptide precursors and eight receptors were significantly down-regulated, which indicated that these neuropeptides and their receptors are potential targets of some commercial insecticides. The RT-qPCR results showed that dopamine receptor 1, dopamine receptor 2, octopamine receptor, allatostatin-A receptor, neuropeptides capa receptor, SIFamide receptor, FMRFamide receptor, tyramine receptor and short neuropeptide F predominantly were expressed in the head whilst the expression of ion transport peptide showed widespread distribution in various tissues. The high expression levels of these genes suggest their important roles in the central nervous system. Taken together, our study provides fundamental information that may further our understanding of neuropeptidergic signaling systems in the regulation of the physiology and behavior of solitary wasps. Furthermore, this information could also aid in the design and discovery of specific and environment-friendly insecticides.
Highlights
Neuropeptides are 3 to 100 amino acid polypeptides and have been identified as involved in various physiological processes in insects, such as behavior regulation, reproduction, and circadian rhythm [1,2,3,4,5]
Gene ontology (GO) analysis showed that genes involved in cellular process, metabolic process, single-organism process, binding and catalytic activity were predominantly expressed in head (Figure S1)
Neuropeptide Receptors in A. gifuensis Based on the genomics and transcriptomics analyses, we predicted 49 neuropeptide receptor genes (Table S1), including 35 A-families G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), four B-families GPCRs, two leucine-rich repeat-containing GPCRs (LGRs), four receptor guanylyl cyclases (RGCs), and four receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs)
Summary
Neuropeptides are 3 to 100 amino acid polypeptides and have been identified as involved in various physiological processes in insects, such as behavior regulation, reproduction, and circadian rhythm [1,2,3,4,5]. Insects 2021, 12, 745 ence of aphid alarm pheromone, E-(β)-farnesene [37] All of these results suggested that A. gifuensis has evolved a comprehensive chemosensory and nervous system to help it find a suitable host and conduct the right parasitic strategy. We thought that the identification and expression of neuropeptides and their receptors provides fundamental information that may further our understanding of neuropeptidergic signaling systems in the regulation of physiology and behavior of solitary wasps. This information could aid in design and discovery of specific and environment friendly insecticides
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
