Ma Shuhui, Sun Yongxin, Li Yajie, Li Xuejun, Wen Zhixin, Mi Rui, Meng Nan, Du Xingfan
Liaoning Ocean and Fisheries Science Research Institute, Liaoning Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Dalian 116023, China.
Insects. 2025 Jul 21;16(7):745. doi: 10.3390/insects16070745.
This study integrated non-targeted metabolomics and transcriptomics to investigate dynamic changes in pupae across five developmental stages. Metabolomic analysis identified 1246 metabolites, primarily organic acids, lipids, heterocyclic compounds, and oxygen-containing organics. Principal component analysis revealed stage-specific metabolic profiles: amino acid derivatives (pyruvate, proline, lysine) declined, while pyrimidines (cytidine, uridine, β-alanine) and monosaccharides (glucose, mannose) increased. 18β-glycyrrhetinic and ursolic acids accumulated significantly in the middle and late stages. Transcriptomic analysis identified 7230 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), with 366, 1705, and 5159 significantly differentially expressed genes in the T1, T3, and T5 comparison groups, respectively. KEGG enrichment highlighted ABC transporters, amino acid/pyrimidine metabolism, and tyrosine pathways as developmentally critical, with aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis upregulated in later phases. Integrated multi-omics analysis revealed coordinated shifts in metabolites and genes across developmental phases, reflecting dynamic nutrient remodeling during pupal maturation. This study systematically delineates the molecular transitions driving pupal development in pupae, uncovering conserved pathway interactions and mechanistic insights into nutrient metabolism. These findings provide a scientific foundation for leveraging pupal resources in functional food innovation and bioactive compound discovery for pharmaceutical applications.
本研究整合了非靶向代谢组学和转录组学,以研究蚕蛹在五个发育阶段的动态变化。代谢组学分析鉴定出1246种代谢物,主要为有机酸、脂质、杂环化合物和含氧有机物。主成分分析揭示了阶段特异性代谢谱:氨基酸衍生物(丙酮酸、脯氨酸、赖氨酸)减少,而嘧啶(胞苷、尿苷、β-丙氨酸)和单糖(葡萄糖、甘露糖)增加。18β-甘草次酸和熊果酸在中期和后期显著积累。转录组学分析鉴定出7230个差异表达基因(DEG),在T1、T3和T5比较组中分别有366、1705和5159个显著差异表达基因。KEGG富集表明ABC转运蛋白、氨基酸/嘧啶代谢和酪氨酸途径对发育至关重要,氨酰-tRNA生物合成在后期上调。综合多组学分析揭示了发育阶段中代谢物和基因的协同变化,反映了蛹成熟过程中的动态营养重塑。本研究系统地描绘了驱动蚕蛹发育的分子转变,揭示了保守的途径相互作用以及对营养代谢的机制性见解。这些发现为在功能性食品创新中利用蚕蛹资源以及发现用于制药应用的生物活性化合物提供了科学依据。