Zhang Yichao, Li Hongjing, Liu Xiaoman, Li Hongli, Lan Qiuyan, Wu Haihua, Wang Yanli, Zhang Jianzhen, Zhao Xiaoming
Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China.
Shanxi Key Laboratory of Nucleic Acid Biopesticides, Taiyuan 030006, China.
Insects. 2024 Mar 29;15(4):237. doi: 10.3390/insects15040237.
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 is still unclear. This study identified two FTZ-F1 transcripts ( and ) in . 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 and were highly expressed in the integument. RNA interference (RNAi) was used to explore the function of s in the molting of the third-instar nymph. Separate or silencing did not affect the normal development of third-instar nymphs; however, the simultaneous RNAi of and 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 s 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 ds- and dss-injected groups. Taken together, and 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.
腹侧无附肢因子1（FTZ-F1）是一类属于核受体超家族的转录因子，是昆虫中重要的蜕皮调节因子；然而，其在蝗虫蜕皮过程中的详细功能仍不清楚。本研究在蝗虫中鉴定出两个FTZ-F1转录本（ 和 ）。FTZ-F1的经典结构域存在于它们的蛋白质序列中，并根据其可变的N端结构域进行区分。逆转录定量聚合酶链反应分析表明， 和 在体壁中高表达。采用RNA干扰（RNAi）技术探究 和 在三龄若虫蜕皮中的功能。单独沉默 或 不影响三龄若虫的正常发育；然而，同时对 和 进行RNA干扰会导致若虫被困在三龄阶段并最终死亡。此外，角质层的苏木精-伊红染色和几丁质染色显示，与对照组相比，沉默 后新角质层增厚。RNA测序分析表明，在注射ds- 和ds - 的组之间，编码四种角质层蛋白、两种几丁质合成酶和细胞色素P450 303a1的基因差异表达。综上所述， 和 可能通过调节参与角质层形成、几丁质合成和其他关键蜕皮过程的基因表达来参与蝗虫的蜕皮过程。
