Transcriptomic Analysis of Venom Secretion in Achelura yunnanensis: Lipid Metabolism, Redox Reactions, and Structural Adaptations.

Abstract

As a key pest damaging urban greenery in Yunnan, China, Achelura yunnanensis larvae secrete venom for defense, yet the molecular basis of this process remains poorly understood. This study aimed to uncover the molecular mechanisms of venom secretion by comparing the dorsal epidermis tissue (LDET) with the larval proleg tissue (LP). We performed transcriptomic analysis using RNA sequencing to identify differentially expressed genes between LDET and LP (10 biological replicates per tissue type), followed by functional enrichment and gene expression correlation analyses to explore tissue-specific characteristics. LDET exhibited significant upregulation of pathways related to lipid metabolism, redox reactions, and surface protective structure formation, suggesting their roles in venom stabilization, activation, and safe secretion. Conversely, genes linked to non-venom-related functions, such as extracellular matrix organization and epidermal development, were downregulated in LDET, indicating resource reallocation toward venom production. These findings reveal a multi-component mechanism in LDET that supports venom secretion through metabolic and structural adaptations, with lipid metabolism genes constituting 18.3% of total differentially expressed genes, highlighting evolutionary trade-offs in insect defense. This study provides new insights into insect venom secretion and offers potential targets for pest control strategies.