Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Analysis of Udp-Glucuronosyltransferases in the Whitefly Bemisia Tabaci (Gennadius) (HemipterA: Aleyrodidae)

Abstract

Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) is an important agricultural pest worldwide. Uridine diphosphate (UDP)-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) are one of the largest and most ubiquitous groups of proteins. Because of their role in detoxification, insect UGTs are attracting increasing attention. In this study, we identified and analyzed UGT genes in B. tabaci MEAM1 to investigate their potential roles in host adaptation and reproductive capacity. Based on phylogenetic and structural analyses, we identified 76 UGT genes in the B. tabaci MEAM1 genome. RNA-seq and real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) revealed differential expression patterns of these genes at different developmental stages and in association with four host plants (cabbage, cucumber, cotton and tomato). RNA interference results of selected UGTs showed that, when UGT352A1, UGT352B1, and UGT354A1 were respectively silenced by feeding on dsRNA, the fecundity of B. tabaci MEAM1 was reduced, suggesting that the expressions of these three UGT genes in this species may be associated with host-related fecundity. Together, our results provide detailed UGTs data in B.tabaci and help guide future studies on the mechanisms of host adaptation by B.tabaci.

Identification and characterization of UDP‐glycosyltransferase genes and the potential role in response to insecticides exposure in Bactrocera dorsalis

“…Phylogenetic analysis showed a significant expansion of the BdUGT429 gene family in B. dorsalis , which was clustered into a single branch. The phenomenon of gene expansion has been reported in previous studies, such as the UGT344 family of Acyrthosiphon pisum and A. gossypii , the UGT201 family of T. urticae , the UGT33 family of B. mori and H. armigera , and the UGT352 and UGT353 families of B. tabaci 21,39–41 . The unique gene family of UGT50 has only one member, which is present in nearly all holometabolous insects.…”

“…The phenomenon of gene expansion has been reported in previous studies, such as the UGT344 family of Acyrthosiphon pisum and A. gossypii, the UGT201 family of T. urticae, the UGT33 family of B. mori and H. armigera, and the UGT352 and UGT353 families of B. tabaci. 21,[39][40][41] The unique gene family of UGT50 has only one member, which is present in nearly all holometabolous insects. In this study, we identified two UGT50 family members (BdUGT50B5 and BdUGT50F1) and they were clustered together with other known UGT50 genes.…”

Whitefly distribution and interaction with endosymbionts in the state of Paraná

“…and Portiera are the most prevalent endosymbionts in whitefly populations (Nogueira, 2012;Guo et al, 2023). In this study, Hamiltonella was detected in MEAM1, MED, and T. vaporariorum at frequencies of 94.3%, 81.1%, and 80%, respectively (Figure 3D).…”

UGT440A1 Is Associated With Motility, Reproduction, and Pathogenicity of the Plant-Parasitic Nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus

“…The crucial role of several UGT genes in reproduction has also been validated in insects. Knockdown of three UGT genes, namely UGT352A1 , UGT352B1 and UGT354A1 , was shown to reduce the fecundity of female Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) ( Guo et al, 2020 ). Moreover, a recent study reported that UGT12 is a positive modulator of reproduction in brown planthopper because UGT12 knockdown resulted in a decrease in vitellogenin synthesis and hormone acid methyltransferase expression ( Ge et al, 2019 ).…”