The plastic response of Manduca sexta to host and non-host plants. (August 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Koenig, Christopher; Bretschneider, Anne; Heckel, David G.; Grosse-Wilde, Ewald; Hansson, Bill S.; Vogel, Heiko
• Is Part Of: Insect biochemistry and molecular biology. Volume 63(2015:Aug.)
• Page Start: 72
• Page End: 85
• Publication Date: 2015-08
• Subjects: Manduca sexta -- Herbivore -- Transcriptome -- Detoxification -- Olfactory receptor -- Immunity; AM antennae and maxillae -- G gut with Malpighian tubules -- SG silk gland (labial gland) -- W whole insect -- P450 cytochrome P450 monooxygenase -- GST glutathione S-transferase -- UGT UDP-glycosyl transferase -- ABC ATP-binding cassette -- IMD immune deficiency -- JAK janus kinase -- STAT signal transducers and activators of transcription -- JNK c-Jun N-terminal protein kinases -- SOCS suppressor of cytokine signaling -- AMP antimicrobial peptide -- WAP whey acid proteins -- AFP antifungal proteins -- MAPK MAP kinase -- OR olfactory receptor -- OBP odorant binding protein -- OSN olfactory sensory neuron; Insect biochemistry -- Periodicals; Insects -- Physiology -- Periodicals; Insects -- Molecular aspects -- Periodicals; Biochemistry -- Periodicals; Insectes -- Biochimie -- Périodiques; Insectes -- Composition -- Périodiques; Insectes -- Physiologie -- Périodiques; Insectes -- Aspect moléculaire -- Périodiques; Biochimie -- Périodiques; Biochemistry; Insect biochemistry; Insects -- Molecular aspects; Insects -- Physiology; Periodicals; 572.8157
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2015.06.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0965-1748

Abstract

Abstract: Specialist insect herbivores have evolved efficient ways to adapt to the major defenses of their host plants. Although Manduca sexta, specialized on Solanaceous plants, has become a model organism for insect molecular biology, little is known about its adaptive responses to the chemical defenses of its hosts. To study larval performance and transcriptomic responses to host and non-host plants, we conducted developmental assays and replicated RNAseq experiments with Manduca larvae fed on different Solanaceous plants as well as on a Brassicaceous non-host plant, Brassica napus . Manduca larvae developed fastest on Nicotiana attenuata, but no significant differences in performance were found on larvae fed on other Solanaceae or the non-host B. napus . The RNAseq experiments revealed that Manduca larvae display plastic responses at the gene expression level, and transcriptional signatures specific to the challenges of each host- and non-host plant. Our observations are not consistent with expectations that specialist herbivores would perform poorly on non-host plants. Instead, our findings demonstrate the ability of this specialized insect herbivore to efficiently use a larger repertoire of host plants than it utilizes in the field. Graphical abstract: Highlights: Manduca performance and transcriptomic analyses of larvae fed on host and non-host plants. RNA-seq revealed plastic responses of detoxification, immune and olfaction-related genes. Larval transcriptional signatures were specific to the challenges of each host- and non-host plant. Larvae can efficiently use a larger repertoire of host plants than utilized in the field.