Effect of Spinetoram Stress on Midgut Detoxification Enzyme and Gene Expression of Fabricius.

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of Spinetoram (SPI) on the midgut of Fabricius pupae, emphasizing detoxifying enzyme activity, gene expression, and morphological alterations. Pupae were subjected to SPI at LC and LC concentrations, and the midgut was evaluated using morphological assessment, detoxifying enzyme assays, and transcriptome analysis utilizing gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment. Transcriptome analysis revealed 32 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) that were common to both the LC vs. control (CK) and LC vs. CK comparisons, along with 24 DEGs unique to the LC vs. CK comparison and 76 DEGs unique to the LC vs. CK comparison. KEGG pathway analysis indicated the substantial enrichment of pathways associated with drug metabolism, xenobiotic metabolism, and amino acid metabolism, implying disruptions in detoxification mechanisms and broader metabolic imbalances resulting from SPI exposure. Morphological analysis showed a normal midgut structure in the control group, while significant damage was observed in the LC group, and severe degeneration was observed in the LC group. Detoxification enzyme assays revealed that the activities of cytochrome P450, glutathione S-transferase, and carboxylesterase significantly increased at LC ( < 0.05), indicating an initial induction of detoxification responses; however, they declined at LC, suggesting enzyme inhibition or midgut damage. The activity of acetylcholinesterase markedly diminished at both LC and LC ( < 0.05), with a more substantial decline observed at LC, suggesting possible neurotoxicity. These findings indicate that SPI exposure causes substantial alterations in midgut morphology, detoxifying enzyme activity, and gene expression in Fabricius pupae, underscoring the insecticide's detrimental impact on honey bee health.