The Effect of Glucosinolates on the Growth and Development of Helicoverpa armigera Larvae and the Expression of Midgut Sulfatase Genes

Abstract

The plant–pest interaction and its mechanisms are a novel research direction for pest control. They provide molecular targets for developing new pesticides and targeted control measures to control insect herbivores. Glucosinolate is a large family of secondary substances found in cruciferous plants that are harmful to herbivorous insects. Specialist herbivores have developed specific anti-defense genes and detoxifying mechanisms against glucosinolate from the host plant, but how generalist herbivores respond to glucosinolate at the molecular level is unknown. In this study, we investigated the effects of different glucosinolate concentrations on the growth and development of Helicoverpa armigera. Moreover, the expression of sulfatase genes (HaSulfs) was also checked following exposure to glucosinolate concentrations. The developmental duration of larvae and pre-pupa of H. armigera was significantly increased by 14.79–25.03% after feeding glucosinolate compared to the control. Quantitative Real-Time PCR (RT-qPCR) was carried out to analyze the expression of HaSulf family genes in the midgut of fifth instar larvae of H. armigera. The results showed that the upregulated expression patterns of HaSulf family genes were diversified after feeding at different concentrations. The expression level of HaSulf was detected with the HaSulf antibody. Only the glucosinolate-fed larvae had a visible target band and were mainly distributed in the midgut wall. Taken together, glucosinolate can significantly affect the growth and development of H. armigera larvae. It can induce the expression of HaSulf in the midgut of H. armigera at gene and protein levels. This study could be useful to understand the development of plant-derived insecticides resistance in H. armigera.

Functions of the sulfatase‐modifying factor 1 (HaSumf1) in the development and host glucosinolate adaptation of Helicoverpa armigera

“…However, with the increasing concentration gradient, the indicators did not continue to decrease and even showed improvement at the higher concentration of 0.4% GLS (Li et al, 2022). et al, 2021).…”

“…Interestingly, lower concentrations of GLS had a greater impact on H. armigera , consistent with our prior research, the study showed that the growth and development indicators of H. armigera declined or were delayed as GLS concentrations increased (0.004%–0.04%). However, with the increasing concentration gradient, the indicators did not continue to decrease and even showed improvement at the higher concentration of 0.4% GLS (Li et al., 2022). Furthermore, there are numerous additional experiments on GLS–insect interactions, indicating that insect growth and developmental parameters do not demonstrate proportionality or inverse proportionality with the concentration or composition of GLS (Badenes‐Perez et al., 2013).…”

“…For RNAi of HaSumf1 , 5 μg CQD‐dsRNA was added into a disposable cup with 3 mL diet containing respectively 200 μL of pure water and 0.004% and 0.04% GLSs (Sinigrin hydrate was purchased from Sigma) solutions diluted with pure water (Li et al., 2022) of each first‐day larvae of the second‐ and fifth‐instar. H. armigera were fed separately in a cup after they were starved for 4 h at second‐instar early.…”

“…Previously, eight HaSulfs and a single HaSumf1 were reported in H. armigera , and GLSs have a significant impact on the growth and development of H. armigera larvae. They can induce the expression of HaSulf in the midgut of H. armigera at both gene and protein levels (Li et al., 2022). In this study, the function of the HaSumf1 gene in H. armigera in response to GLSs was investigated by RNAi technology.…”

Does fungal infection increase the palatability of oilseed rape to insects?

“…nitriles, thiocyanates and isothiocyanates). 15,[19][20][21] GLSs and their breakdown products can be deterrent to generalist insects 22 and/or may attract their natural enemies, 23 but they are also palatable and attractive to insects specializing in the Brassicaceae family. 24,25 For instance, indole GLSs serve as important cues involved in Plutella xylostella (diamondback moth), a Brassica-specialist acceptance of host plants for oviposition.…”