Involvement of Laccase2 in Cuticle Sclerotization of the Whitefly, Bemisia tabaci Middle East–Asia Minor 1

Abstract

Cuticle sclerotization is critical for insect survival. Laccase2 (Lac2) is a phenol oxidase that plays a key role in cuticle formation and pigmentation in a variety of insects. However, the function of Lac2 in whitefly, Bemisia tabaci, remains unclear. In this study, we identified a BtLac2 gene in B. tabaci MEAM1 and found that BtLac2 was expressed in all stages. It was highly expressed in the egg stage, followed by nymph and adult. Moreover, the expression of BtLac2 was higher in the cuticle than in other tissues. Knockdown of BtLac2 in nymphs produced thinner and fragile cuticles, which significantly increased the mortality rate, extended the development duration of nymphs, and decreased the emergence rate of adults. This result demonstrates that BtLac2 plays an important role in the cuticle hardening of B. tabaci and suggests a potential management strategy using RNAi to knock down BtLac2 expression.

A plant virus enhances odorant‐binding protein 5 (OBP5) in the vector whitefly for more actively olfactory orientation to the host plant

“…The function of BtabOBP5 identified in this study could be a reference for further study of olfaction‐based agriculture pest control methods. The RNAi‐based products as active ingredients of biopesticides have been used for pest control 59–61 . Therefore, spray synthesis of dsRNA targeting OBP5 can also be considered as a method for B. tabaci control.…”

“…The RNAi-based products as active ingredients of biopesticides have been used for pest control. [59][60][61] Therefore, spray synthesis of dsRNA targeting OBP5 can also be considered as a method for B. tabaci control. Studying the effects of plant viruses on the insect olfactory system provides a new perspective for understanding the mechanism by which plant viruses alter vector behavior.…”

Purification, characterization and three-dimensional structure prediction of multicopper oxidase Laccases from Trichoderma lixii FLU1 and Talaromyces pinophilus FLU12

“…The production of these enzymes is always triggered in response to environmental stress and nutrient depletion 7 . The physiological function of Laccase varies depending on the organisms; in plants these enzymes are involved in the lignification processes 13 , in insects, it aids the formation of cuticles during the sclerotization process 14 , in fungi, it helps the morphogenesis process (formation of spores, pigments of fruiting bodies) 15 , 16 , pathogenesis 17 , virulence 18 , lignin degradation, monomer cross-linking, polymer degradation 19 , and also the breakdown of aromatic rings 19 . The precise role of Laccase in bacteria remains unclear but few studies have shown its functions in industrial applications requiring activity at high pH and temperatures as robust biocatalysts 20 .…”