Cuticle Protein LmACP19 Is Required for the Stability of Epidermal Cells in Wing Development and Morphogenesis of .

Insect wing consists of a double layer of epidermal cells that produce and secrete the dorsal and ventral cuticular components. It is important for the stability of epidermal cells during wing development and morphogenesis, but its specific gene expression and physiological function during this process remain unclear. In our previous work, a wing cuticle protein gene was identified in based on transcriptomic data. Here, we report on its roles in wing development and morphogenesis. encodes a chitin-binding protein belonging to RR-2 subfamily of CPR family, which is highly homologous to CP19-like proteins in other insect species. RT-qPCR analysis revealed that is highly expressed in wing pads of fifth-instar nymphs, and its encoded protein is located in two layers of epidermal cells but not in the cuticle. Suppression of by RNA interference led to abnormal wing pad and wing morphogenesis with curved, unclosed, and wrinkled phenotypes during nymph-to-nymph and nymph-to-adult transition, respectively. Furthermore, deficiency of affected arrangement of epidermal cells, resulting in apoptosis. Our results indicate that is indispensable for wing development and normal morphological structure by maintaining the stability of epidermal cells during molting.