Bachler Andreas, Padovan Amanda, Anderson Craig J, Wei Yiyun, Wu Yidong, Pearce Stephen, Downes Sharon, James Bill, Tessnow Ashley E, Sword Gregory A, Williams Michelle, Tay Wee Tek, Gordon Karl H J, Walsh Tom K
CSIRO, Black Mountain Laboratories, Acton, Australian Capital Territory, Australia.
MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
PLoS Biol. 2025 May 29;23(5):e3003165. doi: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3003165. eCollection 2025 May.
The global reliance on Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) proteins for controlling lepidopteran pests in cotton, corn, and soybean crops underscores the critical need to understand resistance mechanisms. Vip3Aa, one of the most widely deployed and currently effective Bt proteins in genetically modified crops, plays a pivotal role in pest management. This study investigates the molecular basis of Vip3Aa resistance in Australian Helicoverpa armigera through genetic crosses, and integrated genomic and transcriptomic analyses. We identified a previously uncharacterized gene, LOC110373801 (designated HaVipR1), as potentially important in Vip3Aa resistance in two field-derived resistant lines. Functional validation using CRISPR/Cas9 knockout in susceptible lines confirmed the gene's role in conferring high-level resistance to Vip3Aa. Despite extensive laboratory selection of Vip3Aa-resistant colonies in Lepidoptera, the biochemical mechanisms underlying resistance have remained elusive. Our research identifies HaVipR1 as a potential contributor to resistance, adding to our understanding of how insects may develop resistance to this important Bt protein. The identification of HaVipR1 contributes to our understanding of potential resistance mechanisms and may inform future resistance management strategies. Future work should explore the biochemical pathways influenced by HaVipR1 and assess its interactions with other resistance mechanisms. The approach utilized here underscores the value of field-derived resistant lines for understanding resistance in agricultural pests and highlights the need for targeted approaches to manage resistance sustainably.
全球对苏云金芽孢杆菌（Bt）蛋白用于控制棉花、玉米和大豆作物中鳞翅目害虫的依赖，凸显了了解抗性机制的迫切需求。Vip3Aa是转基因作物中应用最广泛且目前有效的Bt蛋白之一，在害虫管理中发挥着关键作用。本研究通过遗传杂交以及综合基因组和转录组分析，调查了澳大利亚棉铃虫对Vip3Aa抗性的分子基础。我们在两个田间获得的抗性品系中鉴定出一个以前未被表征的基因LOC110373801（命名为HaVipR1），它可能在对Vip3Aa的抗性中起重要作用。在敏感品系中使用CRISPR/Cas9敲除进行功能验证，证实了该基因在赋予对Vip3Aa高水平抗性中的作用。尽管在鳞翅目中对Vip3Aa抗性菌落进行了广泛的实验室筛选，但抗性背后的生化机制仍然难以捉摸。我们的研究确定HaVipR1是抗性的一个潜在贡献因素，增进了我们对昆虫如何对这种重要的Bt蛋白产生抗性的理解。HaVipR1的鉴定有助于我们理解潜在的抗性机制，并可能为未来的抗性管理策略提供参考。未来的工作应探索受HaVipR1影响的生化途径，并评估其与其他抗性机制的相互作用。这里采用的方法强调了田间获得的抗性品系在理解农业害虫抗性方面的价值，并突出了采用针对性方法可持续管理抗性的必要性。
