RNA interference-mediated silencing of genes involved in the immune responses of the soybean pod borer Leguminivora glycinivorella (Lepidoptera: Olethreutidae)

Abstract

RNA interference (RNAi) technology may be useful for developing new crop protection strategies against the soybean pod borer (SPB; Leguminivora glycinivorella), which is a critical soybean pest in northeastern Asia. Immune-related genes have been recently identified as potential RNAi targets for controlling insects. However, little is known about these genes or mechanisms underlying their expression in the SPB. In this study, we completed a transcriptome-wide analysis of SPB immune-related genes. We identified 41 genes associated with SPB microbial recognition proteins, immune-related effectors or signalling molecules in immune response pathways (e.g., Toll and immune deficiency pathways). Eleven of these genes were selected for a double-stranded RNA artificial feeding assay. The down-regulated expression levels of LgToll-5-1a and LgPGRP-LB2a resulted in relatively high larval mortality rates and abnormal development. Our data represent a comprehensive genetic resource for immune-related SPB genes, and may contribute to the elucidation of the mechanism regulating innate immunity in Lepidoptera species. Furthermore, two immune-related SPB genes were identified as potential RNAi targets, which may be used in the development of RNAi-mediated SPB control methods.

Sex Specificity in Innate Immunity of Insect Larvae

“…Azadirachtin possesses immunosuppressive effects and provides synergism when it is used together with B. thuringiensis ( Nouri-Ganbalani et al, 2016 ; Dorrah et al, 2019 ). Immune-related genes have been recently identified as potential RNAi targets for controlling insects ( Ran et al, 2018 ). Thus, if researchers combine the concept of manipulating innate immunity with the concept of prolonging the effect of biologicals (owing to a decrease of female proportions), the benefit could be particularly high.…”

Silencing β‐1,3‐glucan binding protein enhances the susceptibility of Plutella xylostella to entomopathogenic fungus Isaria cicadae

“…46 Therefore, immune-related genes can be used as potential RNAi targets for pest control. 47 Numerous studies have showed that knockdown of insects ⊎GRPs/GNBPs by RNAi or chemical inhibitors can effectively increase the susceptibility of insects to microbe infection. For instance, a small nontoxic glycomimetic D-⊐-gluconolactone (GDL) molecule could efficiently block the termite Nasutitermes corniger GNBP2, accelerating termite mortality even in the absence of active infection.…”

“…Besides, RNAi has become an effective strategy for pest management 46 . Therefore, immune‐related genes can be used as potential RNAi targets for pest control 47 . Numerous studies have showed that knockdown of insects βGRPs/GNBPs by RNAi or chemical inhibitors can effectively increase the susceptibility of insects to microbe infection.…”

A chromosome-level genome assembly of the soybean pod borer: insights into larval transcriptional response to transgenic soybean expressing the pesticidal Cry1Ac protein

“…The final set of chromosome-assigned L. glycinivorella scaffolds were submitted to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) for automated eukaryotic genome annotation pipeline [ 146 ]. Evidence used to predict NCBI reference sequence (RefSeq) gene models were based on 135.4 million RNA-seq reads in the NCBI Sequence Read Archive (SRA) runs SRR5985984—SRR5985989 previously generated from 1st instar L. glycinivorella larvae [ 147 , 148 ]. Additional evidence was generated in this study as life-stage specific reads (Libraries Lgly00 to Lgly06c; Table S 1 ) from samples of eggs, larvae, and adults collected from fields of cultivated G. max at JAAS-NARC during July and early August, 2021 ( n = 5; BioSamples SAMN24169476 to SAMN24169480).…”