C/EBPα Regulates PxTreh1 and PxTreh2 Trehalase-Related Bt Resistance in Plutella xylostella (L.)

Abstract

Trehalase regulates energy metabolism in insects by converting trehalose into two glucose molecules. High amounts of trehalase are critical for insect flight and larval stress resistance. However, whether trehalase participates in the development of pesticide resistance remains unclear. In this study, we explored this phenomenon and the mechanism that underlies the regulation of Trehalase transcription. We found that overexpression of PxTreh1 and PxTreh2 induced Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) resistance in Plutella xylostella. The promoter sequences of PxTreh1 and PxTreh2 were also cloned and identified. The dual-luciferase reporter system and RNA interference technology revealed that the expression of PxTreh1 and PxTreh2 genes is possibly regulated by the CCAAT enhancer-binding protein (C/EBPα). A yeast one-hybrid experiment confirmed the interaction between C/EBPα and the PxTreh2 promoter. The findings of this study suggest that C/EBPα mediates the adaptability of P. xylostella to adverse environmental stressors by regulating the expression of trehalase.

The Potential Role of the Methionine Aminopeptidase Gene PxMetAP1 in a Cosmopolitan Pest for Bacillus thuringiensis Toxin Tolerance

“…Related research has shown that the integument and fatbody of insects can produce immunity and detoxification to exogenous harmful substances [ 72 , 73 ], thereby enhancing their resistance to external adverse factors. The relative expression levels in the midgut and Malpighian tubule were the lowest; although Bt toxins mainly function on the midgut of larvae, some Bt toxin receptor genes or genes involved in Bt insecticidal process could also be significantly expressed in other tissues [ 74 , 75 , 76 ].…”