Chitinase‐like gene family in the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens. Issue 1 (16th September 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Xi, Y.; Pan, P‐L.; Ye, Y‐X.; Yu, B.; Xu, H‐J.; Zhang, C‐X.
• Is Part Of: Insect molecular biology. Volume 24:Issue 1(2015:Feb.)
• Page Start: 29
• Page End: 40
• Publication Date: 2014-09-16
• Subjects: Insects -- Molecular aspects -- Periodicals; 595.7
• DOI: 10.1111/imb.12133
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0962-1075

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>Chitinases are important enzymes required for chitin degradation and reconstruction in insects. Based on a bioinformatics investigation, we identified 12 genes encoding putative chitinase‐like proteins, including 10 chitinases (Cht), one imaginal disc growth factor (IDGF) and one endo‐<italic>β</italic>‐<italic>N</italic>‐acetylglucosaminidase (ENGase) in the genome of the brown planthopper, <italic>Nilaparvata lugens</italic> (Hemiptera: Delphacidae). These 12 genes were clustered into nine different groups, with 11 in glycoside hydrolase family 18 groups (groups I‐VIII) and one in the ENGase group. Developmental and tissue‐specific expression pattern analysis revealed that the transcript levels of eight genes peaked periodically during moulting and were mainly expressed in the integument, except <italic>NlCht2</italic>, <italic>NlCht4</italic>, <italic>NlIDGF</italic> and <italic>NlENGase</italic>. <italic>NlCht2</italic>, <italic>NlIDGF</italic> and <italic>NlENGase</italic> were expressed at all stages with slight periodical changes and mainly expressed in the female reproductive organs in adults, whereas <italic>NlCht4</italic> was highly expressed only at the adult stage in the male reproductive organs. Lethal phenotypes were observed in insects challenged by double‐stranded RNAs for <italic>NlCht1</italic>, <italic>NlCht5</italic>, <italic>NlCht7</italic>, <italic>NlCht9</italic> and <italic>NlCht10</italic> during moulting, suggesting their significant roles in old cuticle degradation. <italic>NlCht1</italic> was the most sensitive gene, inducing 50% mortality even at 0.01 ng per insect. Our results illustrate the structural and functional differences of chitinase‐like family genes and provide potential targets for RNA interference‐based rice planthopper management.</p> </abstract>