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Zhang Y, Li H, Liu X, Li H, Lan Q, Wu H, Wang Y, Zhang J, Zhao X. Nuclear Receptor FTZ-F1 Controls Locust Molt by Regulating the Molting Process of Locusta migratoria. Insects 2024; 15:237. [PMID: 38667367 PMCID: PMC11050008 DOI: 10.3390/insects15040237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2024] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Fushi-tarazu factor 1 (FTZ-F1) is a class of transcription factors belonging to the nuclear receptor superfamily and an important molting regulator in insects; however, its detailed function in the molting process of Locusta migratoria is still unclear. This study identified two FTZ-F1 transcripts (LmFTZ-F1-X1 and LmFTZ-F1-X2) in L. migratoria. The classical domains of FTZ-F1 were present in their protein sequences and distinguished based on their variable N-terminal domains. Reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that LmFTZ-F1-X1 and LmFTZ-F1-X2 were highly expressed in the integument. RNA interference (RNAi) was used to explore the function of LmFTZ-F1s in the molting of the third-instar nymph. Separate LmFTZ-F1-X1 or LmFTZ-F1-X2 silencing did not affect the normal development of third-instar nymphs; however, the simultaneous RNAi of LmFTZ-F1-X1 and LmFTZ-F1-X2 caused the nymphs to be trapped in the third instar stage and finally die. Furthermore, the hematoxylin-eosin and chitin staining of the cuticle showed that the new cuticles were thickened after silencing the LmFTZ-F1s compared to the controls. RNA-seq analysis showed that genes encoding four cuticle proteins, two chitin synthesis enzymes, and cytochrome P450 303a1 were differentially expressed between dsGFP- and dsLmFTZ-F1s-injected groups. Taken together, LmFTZ-F1-X1 and LmFTZ-F1-X2 are involved in the ecdysis of locusts, possibly by regulating the expression of genes involved in cuticle formation, chitin synthesis, and other key molting processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yichao Zhang
- Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Nucleic Acid Biopesticides, Taiyuan 030006, China
| | - Hongjing Li
- Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Nucleic Acid Biopesticides, Taiyuan 030006, China
- College of Life Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
| | - Xiaoman Liu
- Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Nucleic Acid Biopesticides, Taiyuan 030006, China
- College of Life Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
| | - Hongli Li
- Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Nucleic Acid Biopesticides, Taiyuan 030006, China
- College of Life Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
| | - Qiuyan Lan
- Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Nucleic Acid Biopesticides, Taiyuan 030006, China
- College of Life Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
| | - Haihua Wu
- Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Nucleic Acid Biopesticides, Taiyuan 030006, China
| | - Yanli Wang
- Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Nucleic Acid Biopesticides, Taiyuan 030006, China
| | - Jianzhen Zhang
- Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Nucleic Acid Biopesticides, Taiyuan 030006, China
| | - Xiaoming Zhao
- Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Nucleic Acid Biopesticides, Taiyuan 030006, China
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