Pannier is a key regulator of embryogenesis, pupal development and female reproduction in the insect pest Bactrocera dorsalis

Abstract

Background: Most arthropods are famous for their large reproductive capacity, with the ovary playing a vital role in the process.The study of the regulatory mechanisms of ovarian development may have the potential for a reproduction-based pest management strategy. GATA-binding transcription factors (GATAs) as important regulatory factors mediate many physiological processes, including development, immunity, insecticide resistance and reproduction. The Pannier (pnr), a member of GATA family, was confirmed to be involved in ovarian development of Bactrocera dorsalis in our previous study. However, the direct evidence of pnr regulating the fly ovarian development is still lacking.Results: We used CRISPR/Cas9 to create Bdpnr loss-of-function mutations. Homozygous Bdpnr −/− mutants were nonviable, with most individuals dying during embryogenesis, some surviving to the larval stages, and the remaining few dying during pupation. In contrast, heterozygous individuals reached the adult stage, but ovarian development was disrupted, with concomitant decreases in egg laying and hatching rates. We also found that two genes encoding vitellogenin proteins (BdVg1 and BdVg2) and the vitellogenin receptor (BdVgR) were significantly down-regulated in heterozygous mutants compared to wild-type controls.Conclusion: These results indicate that Bdpnr is required for embryonic and post-embryonic development, including the formation of ovaries. Bdpnr could therefore be considered as a molecular target for tephritid fly pest control.

Developing genetic tools to control the Oriental fruit fly: Potential approaches and target genes

“…Other microRNA miR-311-3p was demonstrated more expressed in B. dorsalis ovaries and fat body in sexually maturating females. , Zhang, Dou, et al (2023) showed that this microRNA interacted with Endophilin B1. Repression of miR-311-3p or Endophilin B1 led to reproductive disruption .…”

“…Bdpnr gene is located on chromosome 2, consists of 6 exons, and encodes a protein with two conserved 50 amino acid (aa) ZnF_GATA domains (Wang, Chitsaz, et al, 2023). and Zhang, Dou, et al (2023) showed that Bdpnr −/− homozygous mutants with CRISPR-cas9 knockout were non-viable and died during embryogenesis or pupation. The heterozygotes, in contrast, reached adulthood but had non-functional ovaries (Zhang, Dou, et al, 2023).…”

“…and Zhang, Dou, et al (2023) showed that Bdpnr −/− homozygous mutants with CRISPR-cas9 knockout were non-viable and died during embryogenesis or pupation. The heterozygotes, in contrast, reached adulthood but had non-functional ovaries (Zhang, Dou, et al, 2023). The sex peptide receptor (spr) constitutes an evolutionarily highly conserved factor in insects.…”

“…aegypti . In Bactrocera dorsalis, it was used on several occasions for functional genomics studies (Chen et al, 2023;Wishard et al, 2023;Xu et al, 2022;Zhang, Dou, et al, 2023).…”