Identification of chitinase genes and roles in the larval-pupal transition of Leptinotarsa decemlineata

© 2023 Society of Chemical Industry..

BACKGROUND: Insect chitinases play crucial roles in degrading chitin in the extracellular matrix, affecting insect development and molting. However, our understanding of the specific functions of various chitinases in Leptinotarsa decemlineata is limited, hindering the deployment of novel gene-targeting technologies as pest management strategies.

RESULTS: We identified and characterized 19 full-length complementary DNA (cDNA) sequences of chitinase genes (LdChts) in Leptinotarsa decemlineata. Despite having varying domain architectures, all these chitinases contained at least one chitinase catalytic domain. Phylogenetic analysis classified the chitinase proteins into ten distinct clusters (groups I-X). Expression profiles showed the highest expression in chitin-rich tissues or during specific developmental stages from the larva-to-pupa transition. Gene-specific RNA interference (RNAi) experiments provided valuable insight into chitinase gene function. Silencing of group II LdCht10 prevented larval-larval molting, larval-prepupal, and prepupal-pupal processes. Moreover, our study revealed that LdCht5, LdCht2, LdCht11, LdCht1, and LdCht3 from groups I and VII-X were specifically essential for the transition from prepupal to pupal stage, whereas LdIDGF2 from group V was necessary for the larval-prepupal metamorphic process. The chitinase gene LdCht7 from group III and LdIDGF4 from group V were involved in both the larva-to-prepupa and the prepupa-to-pupa shift. Additionally, our findings also shed light on the exclusive expression of nine chitinase genes within group IV in the digestive system, suggesting their potential role in regulating larval body weight and larva-to-pupa transition.

CONCLUSION: Our results provide a comprehensive understanding of the functional specialization of chitinase genes during the molting process of various stages and identify potential targets for RNAi-based management of Leptinotarsa decemlineata. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Medienart:

E-Artikel

Erscheinungsjahr:

2024

Erschienen:

2024

Enthalten in:

Zur Gesamtaufnahme - volume:80

Enthalten in:

Pest management science - 80(2024), 2 vom: 14. Jan., Seite 282-295

Sprache:

Englisch

Beteiligte Personen:

Chen, Yu [VerfasserIn]
Tang, Hong [VerfasserIn]
Zhou, Wei [VerfasserIn]
Li, Chang [VerfasserIn]
Chen, Yi-Nan [VerfasserIn]
Zhang, Qing [VerfasserIn]
Fu, Kai-Yun [VerfasserIn]
Guo, Wen-Chao [VerfasserIn]
Shi, Ji-Feng [VerfasserIn]

Links:

Volltext

Themen:

1398-61-4
Chitin
Chitinase
Chitinases
EC 3.2.1.14
Functional specialization
Insect Proteins
Journal Article
Leptinotarsa decemlineata
RNA interference

Anmerkungen:

Date Completed 12.01.2024

Date Revised 12.01.2024

published: Print-Electronic

Citation Status MEDLINE

doi:

10.1002/ps.7754

funding:

Förderinstitution / Projekttitel:

PPN (Katalog-ID):

NLM361692978