Wolbachia affects reproduction in the spider mite Tetranychus truncatus (Acari: Tetranychidae) by regulating chorion protein S38‐like and Rop. Issue 1 (28th September 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Xia, X.; Peng, C.‐W.; Cui, J.‐R.; Jin, P.‐Y.; Yang, K.; Hong, X.‐Y.
• Is Part Of: Insect molecular biology. Volume 30:Issue 1(2021)
• Page Start: 18
• Page End: 29
• Publication Date: 2020-09-28
• Subjects: Tetranychus truncatus -- Wolbachia -- reproduction -- chorion protein S38‐like -- Rop; Insects -- Molecular aspects -- Periodicals; 595.7
• DOI: 10.1111/imb.12669
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0962-1075

Abstract

Abstract: Wolbachia ‐induced reproductive regulation in hosts has been used to control pest populations, but little is known about the molecular mechanism underlying Wolbachia regulation of host genes. Here, reproductive regulation by Wolbachia in the spider mite Tetranychus truncatus was studied at the molecular level. Infection with Wolbachia resulted in decreasing oviposition and cytoplasmic incompatibility in T. truncatus. Further RNA‐seq revealed genes regulated by Wolbachia in T. truncatus . Real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) showed that genes, including chorion protein S38‐like and Rop were down‐regulated by Wolbachia . RNA interference (RNAi) of chorion protein S38‐like and Rop in Wolbachia‐ uninfected T. truncatus decreased oviposition, which was consistent with Wolbachia ‐induced oviposition decrease. Interestingly, suppressing Rop in Wolbachia ‐infected T. truncatus led to increased Wolbachia titres in eggs; however, this did not occur after RNAi of chorion protein S38‐like . This is the first study to show that chorion protein S38‐like and Rop facilitate Wolbachia‐ mediated changes in T. truncatus fertility. In addition, RNAi of Rop turned the body colour of Wolbachia ‐uninfected T. truncatus black, which indicates that the role of Rop is not limited to the reproductive regulation of T. truncatus . Abstract : A total of 661 genes regulated by Wolbachia were identified in Tetranychus. truncatus by RNAseq. qPCR and RNAi indicated that the down‐regulated expression of chorion protein S38‐like and Rop in Wolbachia‐ uninfected T. truncatus resulted in a phenotype consistent with the Wolbachia ‐induced oviposition reduction. Down‐regulation of Rop in Wolbachia ‐infected adult female mites resulted in Wolbachia titer increased in T. truncatus eggs.