Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology最新文献

{"title":"JAK and STAT5B mediate olfactory response of migratory locusts to their own volatiles","authors":"Zongyuan Ma ,&nbsp;Jipeng Liu ,&nbsp;Lichen Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.ibmb.2024.104164","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ibmb.2024.104164","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Janus kinase (JAK) and signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) signaling affect social aggregation, mood and psychiatric disorders, nociceptive and depressive behaviors. Olfactory dysfunction is one of the distinct symptoms of these behaviors, but function and mechanism of JAK and STAT in modulating olfaction remain largely unknown. Migratory locusts show olfactory preference for their own volatiles. We thus use this animal model to explore functions and mechanisms of JAK and STAT5B in mediating olfaction response to their own volatiles. Tissue distribution study shows that JAK and STAT5B express in antennae and brains, especially in antennal lobes and mushroom bodies in locust brains, and knockdown of these two genes by RNA interference (RNAi) in antennae and brains results in the loss of olfactory preference for locust volatiles, including chemical odorants indole and β-ionone. RNA-seq analysis reveals that <em>JAK</em> and <em>STAT5B</em> RNAi knockdown downregulates a functional class of transcripts in nucleoprotein complex, including heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein C (hnRNPC) and small nuclear ribonucleoprotein polypeptide F (SNRPF). <em>HnRNPC</em> and <em>SNRPF</em> mRNAs and proteins are also expressed in antennae and brains, and RNAi knockdown of these two genes reduces the percentage of locusts preferring volatiles, including chemical odorants indole and β-ionone. Furthermore, RNAi knockdown of dopamine receptor 1 (DopR1) results in the decrease of <em>JAK</em> mRNA level in antennae, and JAK/STAT5B, hnRNPC and SNRPF are required for dopamine receptor 1 (DopR1) to modulate olfactory preference for their own volatiles. This study confirms that JAK/STAT5B signaling modulates olfaction by affecting expression levels of <em>hnRNPC</em> and <em>SNRPF</em>, and this pathway is also required for DopR1 to modulate olfactory preference for their own volatiles. These findings highlight novel roles of JAK and STAT5B in modulating olfactory preference. This study provides novel insights into functional links among JAK/STAT5B signaling, RNA binding proteins and DopR1 underlying the modulation of olfactory behaviors.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":330,"journal":{"name":"Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology","volume":"173 ","pages":"Article 104164"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2024-07-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141786838","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Identification of a gene promoter active in Lucilia sericata larval salivary glands using a rapid transient expression assay","authors":"Esther J. Belikoff ,&nbsp;Rebecca J. Davis ,&nbsp;Megan E. Williamson,&nbsp;John W. Britt,&nbsp;Maxwell J. Scott","doi":"10.1016/j.ibmb.2024.104163","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ibmb.2024.104163","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Tissue-specific gene promoters are desired as they provide the specificity needed for control of gene expression in transgenic animals. Here we describe a relatively rapid two-component transient expression assay that was used to identify a gene promoter active in the larval salivary glands of the green blow fly, <em>Lucilia sericata</em>. Sterile <em>L.</em> <em>sericata</em> maggots are widely used for wound debridement. A larval salivary gland gene promoter could be used to make maggots that secrete factors for enhanced wound therapy. Embryos from a line that carry a tetracycline transactivator (tTA)-activated red fluorescent protein gene were injected with plasmid DNA with the tTA gene driven by a constitutive or tissue-specific gene promoter. The hatched larvae were reared on diet and then examined for red fluorescence. A promoter from the <em>LsCG30371</em> gene was active in the larval salivary glands. The tissue-specificity of the promoter was subsequently confirmed with stable transgenic lines that carried the <em>LsCG3</em>0371-tTA gene. The relatively rapid transient expression assay could potentially be used to determine the tissue-specificity of other gene promoters. Further, the stable <em>LsCG3</em>0371-tTA lines could be used to make sterile maggots that secrete factors from the salivary glands for enhanced wound healing.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":330,"journal":{"name":"Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology","volume":"173 ","pages":"Article 104163"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2024-07-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141786836","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Functional redundancy of the three insulin receptors of cockroaches","authors":"David Pujal ,&nbsp;Jorge Escudero ,&nbsp;Pol Cabrera,&nbsp;Laura Bos,&nbsp;Carlos Vargas-Chávez,&nbsp;Rosa Fernández,&nbsp;Xavier Bellés,&nbsp;José Luis Maestro","doi":"10.1016/j.ibmb.2024.104161","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ibmb.2024.104161","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Gene duplication is a fundamental evolutionary process which provides opportunities to acquire new gene functions. In the case of the insulin receptors (InRs) in cockroaches and close-related insects, two successive duplications determined the occurrence of three InR genes: <em>InR2</em>, <em>InR1</em> and <em>InR3</em>, the last two forming a sister cluster to <em>InR2</em>. The biological role of each of the gene duplicates and whether they resulted from neofunctionalization or subfunctionalization is still unclear. The analysis of the sequences from different lineages did not detect positive selection as driving the divergence of <em>InR1</em> and <em>InR3</em>, discarding neofunctionalization, and suggesting that there is no functional divergence between both gene copies. Using the cockroach <em>Blattella germanica</em> as a model, we have determined that <em>BgInR2</em> is the gene with the highest expression levels in all the tissues analyzed, both in adult females and males, as well as in nymphs and embryos. <em>BgInR3</em> is second in expression levels while <em>BgInR1</em> is expressed at lower levels and only in some tissues. The selective depletion by RNAi of each of the three InRs, analyzed in terms of phenotype and fat body transcriptomic profiles, resulted in essentially redundant effects, with a magnitude approximately proportional to the level of expression of the respective InR. Therefore, the results indicate that the InR duplicates likely experienced a subfunctionalization process, by which the three InRs maintained similar functions but contributing to those functions proportionally to their expression levels.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":330,"journal":{"name":"Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology","volume":"172 ","pages":"Article 104161"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2024-07-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0965174824000924/pdfft?md5=42b67627581a12efb6d2590b6d799a36&pid=1-s2.0-S0965174824000924-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141764663","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The mlpt smORF gene is essential for digestive physiology and molting during nymphal stages in the kissing bug Rhodnius prolixus","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.ibmb.2024.104154","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ibmb.2024.104154","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Chagas disease affects around 8 million people globally, with Latin America bearing approximately 10,000 deaths each year. Combatting the disease relies heavily on vector control methods, necessitating the identification of new targets. Within insect genomes, genes harboring small open reading frames (smORFs - &lt; 100 amino acids) present numerous potential candidates. In our investigation, we elucidate the pivotal role of the archetypal smORF-containing gene, <em>mille-pattes/polished-rice/tarsalless</em> (<em>mlpt/pri/tal</em>), in the post-embryonic development of the kissing bug <em>Rhodnius prolixus</em>. Injection of double-stranded RNA targeting <em>mlpt</em> (ds<em>mlpt</em>) during nymphal stages yields a spectrum of phenotypes hindering post-embryonic growth. Notably, fourth or fifth stage nymphs subjected to ds<em>mlpt</em> do not undergo molting. These ds<em>mlpt</em> nymphs display heightened mRNA levels of JHAMT-like and EPOX-like, enzymes putatively involved in the juvenile hormone (JH) pathway, alongside increased expression of the transcription factor Kr-h1, indicating changes in the hormonal control. Histological examination reveals structural alterations in the hindgut and external cuticle of ds<em>mlpt</em> nymphs compared to control (ds<em>GFP</em>) counterparts. Furthermore, significant changes in the vector's digestive physiology were observed, with elevated hemozoin and glucose levels in the posterior midgut of ds<em>mlpt</em> nymphs. Importantly, ds<em>mlpt</em> nymphs exhibit impaired metacyclogenesis of <em>Trypanosoma cruzi</em>, the causative agent of Chagas disease, underscoring the crucial role of proper gut organization in parasite differentiation. Thus, our findings constitute the first evidence of a smORF-containing gene's regulatory influence on vector physiology, parasitic cycle, and disease transmission.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":330,"journal":{"name":"Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology","volume":"172 ","pages":"Article 104154"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2024-07-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141553878","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Knockout of cryptochrome 1 disrupts circadian rhythm and photoperiodic diapause induction in the silkworm, Bombyx mori","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.ibmb.2024.104153","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ibmb.2024.104153","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Most insects enter diapause, a state of physiological dormancy crucial for enduring harsh seasons, with photoperiod serving as the primary cue for its induction, ensuring proper seasonal timing of the process. Although the involvement of the circadian clock in the photoperiodic time measurement has been demonstrated through knockdown or knockout of clock genes, the involvement of clock gene <em>cryptochrome 1</em> (<em>cry1</em>), which functions as a photoreceptor implicated in photoentrainment of the circadian clock across various insect species, remains unclear. In bivoltine strains of the silkworm, <em>Bombyx mori</em>, embryonic diapause is maternally controlled and affected by environmental conditions experienced by mother moths during embryonic and larval stages. Previous research highlighted the role of core clock genes, including <em>period</em> (<em>per</em>), <em>timeless</em> (<em>tim</em>), <em>Clock</em> (<em>Clk</em>) and <em>cycle</em> (<em>cyc</em>), in photoperiodic diapause induction in <em>B. mori</em>. In this study, we focused on the involvement of <em>cry1</em> gene in <em>B. mori</em> photoperiodism. Phylogenetic analysis and conserved domain identification confirmed the presence of both <em>Drosophila</em>-type <em>cry</em> (<em>cry1</em>) and mammalian-type <em>cry</em> (<em>cry2</em>) genes in the <em>B. mori</em> genome, akin to other lepidopterans. Temporal expression analysis revealed higher <em>cry1</em> gene expression during the photophase and lower expression during the scotophase, with knockouts of core clock genes (<em>per</em>, <em>tim</em>, <em>Clk</em> and <em>cyc</em>) disrupting this temporal expression pattern. Using CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing, we established a <em>cry1</em> knockout strain in p50T, a bivoltine strain exhibiting clear photoperiodism during both embryonic and larval stages. Although the wild-type strain displayed circadian rhythm in eclosion under continuous darkness, the <em>cry1</em> knockout strain exhibited arrhythmic eclosion, implicating <em>B. mori cry1</em> in the circadian clock feedback loop governing behavior rhythms. Females of the <em>cry1</em> knockout strain failed to control photoperiodic diapause induction during both embryonic and larval stages, mirroring the diapause phenotype of the wild-type individuals reared under constant darkness, indicating that <em>B. mori</em> CRY1 contributes to photoperiodic time measurement as a photoreceptor. Furthermore, photoperiodic diapause induction during the larval stage was abolished in a <em>cry1</em>/<em>tim</em> double-knockout strain, suggesting that photic information received by CRY1 is relayed to the circadian clock. Overall, this study represents the first evidence of <em>cry1</em> involvement in insect photoperiodism, specifically in diapause induction.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":330,"journal":{"name":"Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology","volume":"172 ","pages":"Article 104153"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2024-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0965174824000845/pdfft?md5=5e5766ee40ae3c270d8adc26a43b589a&pid=1-s2.0-S0965174824000845-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141533101","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A comprehensive gene expression analysis of the unique three-layered cocoon of the cecropia moth, Hyalophora cecropia","authors":"Lenka Rouhová ,&nbsp;Šárka Podlahová ,&nbsp;Peter Kmet ,&nbsp;Michal Žurovec ,&nbsp;Hana Sehadová ,&nbsp;Ivo Sauman","doi":"10.1016/j.ibmb.2024.104152","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ibmb.2024.104152","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The larvae of the moth <em>Hyalophora cecropia</em> spin silk cocoons with morphologically distinct layers. We investigated the expression of the individual silk protein components of these cocoons in relation to the morphology of the silk gland and its affiliation to the different layers of the cocoon. The study used transcriptomic and proteomic analyses to identify 91 proteins associated with the silk cocoons, 63 of which have a signal peptide indicating their secretory nature. We checked the specificity of their expression in different parts of the SG and the presence of the corresponding protein products in each cocoon layer. Differences were observed among less abundant proteins with unclear functions. The representation of proteins in the inner envelope and intermediate space was similar, except for a higher proportion of probable contaminating proteins, mostly originating from the gut. On the other hand, the outer envelope contains a number of putative enzymes with unclear function. However, the protein most specific to the outer layer has sequence homology to putative serine/threonine kinase-like proteins and some adhesive proteins, and its closest homolog in <em>Bombyx mori</em> was found in the scaffold silk. This research provides valuable insights into the silk production of the cecropia moth, highlighting both similarities and differences to other moth species.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":330,"journal":{"name":"Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology","volume":"171 ","pages":"Article 104152"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2024-06-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141464935","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The role of a novel secretory peptidoglycan recognition protein with antibacterial ability from the Chinese Oak Silkworm Antheraea pernyi in humoral immunity","authors":"Xutong Duan ,&nbsp;Ting Fu ,&nbsp;Chang Liu ,&nbsp;Fuhui Wang ,&nbsp;Chengbao Liu ,&nbsp;Lin Zhao ,&nbsp;JinZhu Yu ,&nbsp;Xialu Wang ,&nbsp;Rong Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.ibmb.2024.104151","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ibmb.2024.104151","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Peptidoglycan recognition proteins (PGRPs) are a family of pattern recognition receptors that play a critical role in the immune response of invertebrates and vertebrates. Herein, the short <em>Ap</em>PGRP-D gene was cloned from the model lepidopteran <em>Antheraea pernyi.</em> Quantitative PCR (qPCR) confirmed that <em>Ap</em>PGRP-D is an immune-related protein and that the expression of <em>Ap</em>PGRP-D can be induced by microorganisms. <em>Ap</em>PGRP-D is a broad-spectrum pattern recognition protein that activates the prophenoloxidase cascade activation system and promotes the agglutination of microbial cells. Likely due to its amidase activity, <em>Ap</em>PGRP-D can inhibit the growth of <em>E. coli</em> and <em>S. aureus</em>. In addition, we demonstrated for the first time that zinc ions, as important metal coenzymes, could promote multiple functions of <em>Ap</em>PGRP-D but not its amidase activity.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":330,"journal":{"name":"Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology","volume":"171 ","pages":"Article 104151"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2024-06-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141329921","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The chitinase genes TuCht4 and TuCht10 are indispensable for molting and survival of Tetranychus urticae","authors":"Ming Liu ,&nbsp;Rongchumu Ge ,&nbsp;Lihong Song ,&nbsp;Yan Chen ,&nbsp;Shuo Yan ,&nbsp;Chunya Bu","doi":"10.1016/j.ibmb.2024.104150","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ibmb.2024.104150","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Insect chitinases (Chts) play a crucial role in the molting process, enabling continuous growth through sequential developmental stages. Based on their high homology to insect Chts, <em>TuCht1</em> (group II), <em>TuCht4</em> (group I) and <em>TuCht10</em> (group IV) were identified, and their roles during molting process were investigated. <em>TuCht1</em> was mainly expressed in the deutonymphal stage, while <em>TuCht4</em> was mainly expressed in the nymphal stage and the highest expression level of <em>TuCht10</em> was observed in the larvae. Feeding RNAi assays have shown that group I <em>TuCht4</em> and group Ⅳ <em>TuCht10</em> are involved in mite molting. Suppression of <em>TuCht4</em> or <em>TuCht10</em> resulted in high mortality, molting abnormalities and the absence of distinct electron dense layers of chitinous horizontal laminae in the cuticle, as demonstrated by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The nanocarrier mediated RNAi had significantly higher RNAi efficiency and caused higher mortality. The results of the present study suggest that chitinase genes <em>TuCht4</em> and <em>TuCht10</em> are potential targets for dietary RNAi, and demonstrates a nanocarrier-mediated delivery system to enhance the bioactivity of dsRNA, providing a potential technology for green pest management.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":330,"journal":{"name":"Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology","volume":"171 ","pages":"Article 104150"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2024-06-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141316330","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The allatotropin/orexin system as an example of immunomodulatory properties of neuropeptides","authors":"Natalia Konopińska ,&nbsp;Radosław Gmyrek ,&nbsp;Natalia Bylewska ,&nbsp;Sara Tchórzewska ,&nbsp;Grzegorz Nowicki ,&nbsp;Jan Lubawy ,&nbsp;Karolina Walkowiak-Nowicka ,&nbsp;Arkadiusz Urbański","doi":"10.1016/j.ibmb.2024.104149","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ibmb.2024.104149","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The central nervous system (CNS) plays a critical role in signal integration in animals and allows the orchestration of life processes to maintain homeostasis. Current research clearly shows that inflammatory processes can also be modulated by the CNS <em>via</em> the neuroendocrine system. One of the neuropeptide families that participate in vertebrates in this process is orexins (OXs). Interestingly, our previous results suggested that a similar dependency may also exist between neuropeptides and immune system activity in insects. Due to the structural homology of orexin and allatotropin receptors and the functional similarity between these two neuropeptide families, the main aim of this research was to perform a complex analysis of the relationships between allatotropin (AT) and the insect immune response. Our results revealed functional similarities between vertebrate OXs and insect ATs. Similar effects were observed in the profile of the expression level of the gene encoding the AT precursor in the <em>Tenebrio molitor</em> nervous system and in the general action of Tenmo-AT on selected immune parameters of the tested beetles. Moreover, for the first time in insects, we confirmed the role of cytokines in the modulation of neuroendocrine system by determining the effect of Spätzle-like protein injection on the expression of genes encoding AT precursor and receptor. All these results are important for understanding the evolutionary basis of hormonal regulation of the immune response.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":330,"journal":{"name":"Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology","volume":"171 ","pages":"Article 104149"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2024-06-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0965174824000808/pdfft?md5=8d2d8a44f2123e404e6b16082a208295&pid=1-s2.0-S0965174824000808-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141316329","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Peroxisome biogenesis factor PEX14 is crucial for survival and fecundity of female brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens (Stål)","authors":"Yuqiong Liu,&nbsp;Huan Dai,&nbsp;Anfu Bamu,&nbsp;Xinda Lin","doi":"10.1016/j.ibmb.2024.104139","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ibmb.2024.104139","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Peroxisomes are ubiquitous cellular organelles participating in a variety of critical metabolic reactions. PEX14 is an essential peroxin responsible for peroxisome biogenesis. In this study, we identified the human PEX14 homolog in the brown planthopper, <em>Nilaparvata lugens</em> (Hemiptera: Delphacidae). <em>N. lugens</em> PEX14 (NlPEX14) showed significant topological similarity to its human counterpart. It is expressed throughout all developmental stages, with the highest expression observed in adult insects. Down-regulation of <em>NlPEX14</em> through injection of <em>NlPEX14-</em>specific double-strand RNA impaired nymphal development. Moreover, females subjected to <em>dsNlPEX14</em> treatment exhibited a significantly reduced lifespan. Additionally, we found abnormal ovarian development and a significant decrease in the number of eggs laid in <em>NlPEX14</em>-downregulated females. Further experiments support that the shortening of lifespan and the decrease in female fecundity can be attributed, at least partially, to the accumulation of fatty acids and reduced expression of vitellogenin. Together, our study reveals an indispensable function of <em>NlPEX14</em> for insect reproduction and establishes a causal connection between the phenotypes and peroxisome biogenesis, shedding light on the importance of peroxisomes in female fecundity.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":330,"journal":{"name":"Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology","volume":"170 ","pages":"Article 104139"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2024-05-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141178477","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}