Identification and Stress-Induced Expression of Antimicrobial Peptides SlAttacins in Shelfordella lateralis

Abstract

The cherry red cockroach (Shelfordella lateralis) has potential medical application, but its antimicrobial peptides have not yet been studied. Using transcriptome-based gene cloning, bioinformatic analyses, and RT-qPCR, the sequences, structural features, and expression patterns of SlAttacin genes were systematically characterized. In this study, two Attacin genes (SlAttacin1 and SlAttacin2) in S. lateralis were identified; their sequences and expression profiles were analyzed. Both SlAttacins contain a signal peptide and conserved domains, with predicted protein molecular weights of 12.88 and 24.02 kDa, respectively. In addition, SlAttacin1 was highly expressed in female adults, while SlAttacin2 exhibited high expression in fourth-instar nymphs. Both SlAttacin genes were predominantly expressed in the fat body of nymphs. Moreover, bacterial infection (Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus) significantly induced the transcriptional levels of SlAttacin, and exposure to deltamethrin (1 × 10⁻⁵ mg/L) significantly enhanced the expression of both SlAttacin genes. This study provides experimental evidence and theoretical support for the functional analysis of antimicrobial peptides in S. lateralis and their potential applications in the development of novel antimicrobial agents.