Abstract
Insect desaturases are known to play an important role in chemical communication between individuals. However, their roles in insect growth, development and fecundity, and in regulating interactions of insects with plants, remain largely unknown. In this study, we explored the functions of Nlug-desatA2, a desaturase gene of the brown planthopper (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens (Stål). The RNA interference-based knockdown of Nlug-desatA2 decreased the ratio of monounsaturated fatty acids to saturated fatty acids, and the level of fatty acids and triglycerides in BPH. Nlug-desatA2-knockdown also reduced the food intake, body mass and fecundity of female BPH adults, and led to abdomen atrophy and ovarian agenesis. Nlug-desatA2-knockdown suppressed the transcription of TOR (target of rapamycin), Lpp (Lipophorin) and AKHR (adipokinetic hormone receptor) in female adults. Moreover, the corrected survival rate of BPH with Nlug-desatA2-knockdown fed an artificial diet was higher than the survival rate of those fed on rice plants. Higher levels of salicylic acid in rice infested by Nlug-desatA2-knockdown female BPH adults than in rice infested by control BPH may be the reason. These findings demonstrate that Nlug-desatA2 has an essential role in lipid metabolism and is involved in the food intake, survival, development and fecundity of BPH. In addition, this gene is likely involved in regulating the responses of rice to BPH infestation.
Highlights
Desaturases, which catalyze the formation of unsaturated bonds at specific positions in fatty acyl substrates, are essential for a variety of biological processes, including lipid metabolism, the regulation of membrane fluidity and cell signaling [1]
Desaturases belong to the membrane-bound acyl-coenzyme A (CoA) desaturase category [1]
AKH regulates the storage of disaccharide trehalose in D. melanogaster [37] and indirectly affects egg formation in the two-spotted cricket Gryllus bimaculatus [38]
Summary
Desaturases, which catalyze the formation of unsaturated bonds at specific positions in fatty acyl substrates, are essential for a variety of biological processes, including lipid metabolism, the regulation of membrane fluidity and cell signaling [1]. AKH regulates the storage of disaccharide trehalose in D. melanogaster [37] and indirectly affects egg formation in the two-spotted cricket Gryllus bimaculatus [38] All these signaling pathways and genes, which are interrelated, work together in regulating vitellogenesis and ovary development [16,22,26]. We identified ten Nlug-desat genes encoding putative desaturases in the BPH genome and demonstrated their essential role in the insect’s survival and fatty acid metabolism [54] Of these genes, the mean transcript level of Nlug-desatA2 is higher in the egg stage and in 2- to 4-day-old female adults than in the nymph stage, and its expression peaks in the ovary [54]. PacoisdsedsesseastaurΔa9s-ef-altitkyeaccoindsderevsaetdudraosme-aliikne(c∆o9n-FseArDveSd-lidkoem, cadin03(5Δ095-)FaAnDdSb-leilkoen, gcsd0to35t0h5e)fiarnsdt dbeesloantugrsatsoe tfhaemfiilryst[5d4e]s.aKtuereapsiengfaimnimlyin[5d4]t.hKe eseigpninifigciannmceinodf dtehseastuigrnaisfeicsainncleipoifddmeseattaubroalsisems inanlidpitdhemeextparbeoslsiisomn apnadttetrhneoefxNplruegs-sdioesnatpAa2t,tewrne, oufsiNnglumg-odleescautAla2r, bwioel,ougsyi,ncghemmoicleaclualnaarlybsioisloagnyd, bcihoeamssiacayls,ainnavleysstiisgaatnedd bthioearsoslaeyosf, Ninlvuegs-tdiegsaatteAd2tihnelirpoilde mofeNtalbuogl-idsemsa,tfAo2odininlitpaikde,mdeetvaebloolpismme,nftoaonddifnetcaukned, diteyvoefloBpPmHe,natnadnidn freecguunladtiitnygotfhBePinHt,earancdtiionnrbeegtuwlaeteinngBtPhHe ianntderraiccteiopnlabnettsw. een BPH and rice plants
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