Molecular Characterization and Functional Analysis of the 90-1 Gene in Relation to Temperature Changes in .

Understanding how entomopathogenic nematodes respond to temperature changes and have adapted to the local environment is crucial to improve their potential as biocontrol agents. In order to improve understanding of 's potential adaptability to future climate changes, full-length cDNA and the corresponding gene of heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) were isolated and fully characterized. The reproductive potential of the Apulian strain of increased when the temperature rose from 23 to 30°C, but no reproduction was found at 12°C. Expression analyses revealed that 90-1 was differentially expressed in Infective Juveniles (IJs) and adults (hermaphrodites, females and males). Up-regulation of 90-1 was higher during the recovery process in larvae than adults, thus confirming the protective role of 90-1 in coping with the host environment. Silencing of 90-1 resulted in a significant reduction (76%) in the expression level. Silenced IJs took longer than untreated nematodes to infect , showing that 90-1 could be also involved in chemosensation. Furthermore, the number of adults and IJs recovered from infected with silenced nematodes and incubated at 30°C was higher than that obtained from infected with untreated nematodes. These data confirm the crucial role of 90-1 allowing acclimation to increased temperatures and modulation of the recovery process.