Identification of diapause-associated proteins in migratory locust, Locusta migratoria L. (Orthoptera: Acridoidea) by label-free quantification analysis

Abstract

Maternal photoperiodic response is a key factor that affects offspring diapause in migratory locust, Locusta migratoria L. (Orthoptera: Acridoidea). Although many aspects of insect diapause have been studied, little is known about the molecular mechanisms of maternal photoperiodic response that influence diapause regulation. To gain insight into the possible mechanisms of maternal photoperiod influence on diapause regulation, proteomics data by label-free quantification analysis were generated from non-diapause and diapause eggs. A total of 175 proteins were differentially expressed between diapause and non-diapause eggs. Among them, 24 proteins were upregulated, and 151 proteins were downregulated. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichments were performed on all differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) and showed that peroxisome, insect hormone biosynthesis, and longevity regulating pathway may be related to diapause of migratory locust. Furthermore, we used qRT-PCR to verify some results of the proteomic analysis. Proteins such as hexamerin-like protein 4, juvenile hormone epoxide hydrolase 1 (JHEH1), cytochrome P450 and heat shock protein (HSP) 20.7 were predicted to be involved in diapause. This study provides an important reference for future research that will explore the mechanisms of diapause induced by maternal effects in migratory locust.