Characterization and polymorphism analysis of phosphoglucose isomerase gene in the fall webworm (Hyphantria cunea)

Abstract

Phosphoglucose isomerase (PGI) plays an important role in energy metabolism, and it is documented that PGI exhibits an extensive polymorphism which can affect insects' fitness and adaptation. In this paper, we studied the structural characteristics and polymorphism of pgi gene in the fall webworm (Hyphantria cunea), an important invasive pest in some European and Asian countries. A 2110-bp pgi full-length cDNA encoding a polypeptide of 556 amino acids was obtained from H. cunea. The pgi full-length in the H. cunea genomic DNA was 14,332 bp with 12 exons and 11 introns, similar to the structures of pgi in other Lepidoptera species. We compared the structures of pgi in different insect species. Moreover, thirteen pgi genotypes comprised of five alleles were identified in the Chinese population. Genotypes pgi-cd, pgi-cc and pgi-ce were the most prevalent with over 70% of individuals allocated to them. Four out of five alleles were sequenced the cDNA full-length. Thirty stably variable sites were found among them with five non-synonymous mutation sites. The frequencies of alleles and genotypes were variable in different Chinese geographic subpopulations. Moreover, comparison of pgi mRNA expression levels in each stage of the moth's lifecycle showed that a high expression level was in the 6th instar larval stage, followed by that in the egg and adult stages. The results will provide a basis for further study of the role of different alleles and genotypes of PGI on fitness and adaptation of the moth H. cunea.

Fall webworm genomes yield insights into rapid adaptation of invasive species

“…The robust adaptability of the fall webworm probably results from its high polyphagy and reproductive capability. Fall webworms feed on more than 600 species of trees and shrubs 5 and adult females may lay as many as 900 eggs each 6 . As the name denotes, the fall webworm also is a remarkable web-maker, and newly emerged larvae construct massive silk web nests to increase their survival by facilitating feeding and escaping natural enemies ( Supplementary Fig.…”

The metabolic enzyme phosphoglucose isomerase (Pgi) affects the outcome of intra‐specific competition in a polyembryonic wasp

“…Although synonymous substitutions are often considered silent because the amino acid is not modified, they can affect transcription, splicing, mRNA transport, and translation, any of which could alter phenotype. Molecular studies on Pgi in the fall webworm [Hyphantria cunea (Drury)] found five non-synonymous mutation sites, one of which changed the hydrophobicity of the glycosaminoglycan attachment site (Luo et al, 2012). A similar scenario could be occurring in the 54F line of C. floridanum, impacting enzyme activity but not altering enzyme charge, our only way of detecting allelic variation.…”

“…Molecular studies on Pgi in the fall webworm [Hyphantria cunea (Drury)] found five non-synonymous mutation sites, one of which changed the hydrophobicity of the glycosaminoglycan attachment site (Luo et al, 2012). One possible explanation is that there is 'cryptic' synonymous or non-synonymous variation in the Pgi allele of line 54F that functionally distinguishes it from the alleles of the other Pgi 54 lines, even though the charge of its enzyme product makes it electrophoretically indistinguishable.…”

Spatiotemporal Patterns of Five Small Heat Shock Protein Genes in Hyphantria cunea in Response to Thermal Stress

“…sHSPs may also act as chaperone proteins for promoting tissue and organ degradation and remodeling during the pupal stage [7]. Hyphantria cunea demonstrates a remarkable reproductive capacity, characterized by an average fecundity of 800-900 eggs per female and a maximum potential of up to 2000 eggs [47]. High expression of sHSPs may be involved in the reproductive events of adults, including the development of the reproductive system and the formation of germ cells [48].…”