Comparative transcriptome analysis reveals differences in gene expression in whitefly following individual or combined applications of Akanthomyces attenuatus (Zare & Gams) and matrine

Abstract

Background Bemisia tabaci Gennadius (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) is a serious pest of crops in different regions of the world. Our recent studies on the joint application of Akanthomyces attenuatus (a pathogenic insect fungus) and matrine (a botanical insecticide) against B. tabaci have shown promising results. Using RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq), we identified differentially expressed genes involved in whitefly responses to single or mixed applications of A. attenuatus and matrine. Methods In this study, we compared the transcriptome profiles of B. tabaci treated with individual and combined treatments of A. attenuatus and matrine to determine variations in gene expression among whiteflies in response to different treatments. Results Transcriptomic data analysis showed differential expression of 71, 1194, and 51 genes in response to A. attenuatus (BtA), matrine (BtM), and A. attenuatus + matrine (BtAM) treatment, respectively. A total of 65 common differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified between whiteflies treated with A. attenuatus (BtA) and matrine (BtM). A comparison of DEGs across the three treatments (BtA, BtM, and BtAM) revealed two common DEGs. The results also revealed that AMPK signaling, apoptosis, and drug metabolism pathways are likely involved in whitefly defense responses against A. attenuatus and matrine infection. Furthermore, a notable suppression of general metabolism and immune response genes was observed in whiteflies treated with A. attenuatus + matrine (BtAM) compared to whiteflies treated with individual A. attenuatus (BtA) or matrine (BtM) treatments. Conclusion Dynamic changes in the number of differentially expressed genes were observed in B. tabaci subjected to different treatments (BtA, BtM, and BtAM). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the molecular interactions between whitefly and individual or combined treatments of A. attenuatus and matrine. These results will further improve our knowledge of the infection mechanism and complex biochemical processes involved in the synergistic action of A. attenuatus and matrine against B. tabaci.

Single domain von Willebrand factor type C “cytokines” and the regulation of the stress/immune response in insects

“…However, it can be assumed that other (non‐ Vago ) SVWC genes have an important (regulatory of effector) function in other physiological or pathological processes in insects that wait to be uncovered in future research. In the whitefly, Bemisia tabaci , the expression of two SVWC genes become repressed during treatment with a fungal pathogen either alone or in combination with a botanical insecticide which was interpreted as part of the mechanism by which (biological) control of the whitefly was achieved (Wu et al, 2022). In some insects, the number of SVWC genes is expanded, for example, in Drosophila and Musca domestica (Qi et al, 2021), which likely reflect the expansion of functions for SVWC proteins in the regulation of the stress/immune response.…”