Transcriptome analysis of Callosobruchus chinensis: insight into the biological control using entomopathogenic bacteria, Bacillus thuringiensis

Abstract

Bacillus thuringiensis based microbial pesticide is a potential alternative to fumigants. However, the effect of this entomopathogenic bacteria on stored-product pests, and the molecular mechanisms of insect response remain to be investigated. In this study, we showed that B. thuringiensis exhibited toxicity against Callosobruchus chinensis (L.) larvae. The 50% and 95% lethal concentrations in response to B. thuringiensis were 1.08 × 10 7 and 4.27 × 10 7 spores, respectively. We established a transcriptome to identify differential expressed genes. The predicted unigenes were categorized into 62 GO terms. A total of 187 DEGs were identified according to RNA-seq analysis, which 73 were downregulated and 114 were upregulated. And we preformed RT-qPCR assays to validate RNA-seq results. Both RNA-seq and RT-qPCR indicated that L-lactate dehydrogenase and glycoside hydrolase were inhibited in response to B. thuringiensis, while antimicrobial peptide, GST, and heat shock 90 were induced, suggesting that these genes might be involved in B. thuringiensis insecticidal effect for storage pests. A better understanding of molecular response to B. thuringiensis will facilitate us to develop a viable strategy method to control stored-product pests.

Transcriptome analysis reveals the gene expression changes in postharvest goji berry (Lycium barbarum L.) in response to hydrogen sulfide treatment

“…RNA-seq techniques are widely used in food research to investigate the physiological and biochemical changes in transcript levels under different conditions (Xu et al, 2022;Wang & Zhao, 2022). Postharvest goji berries are easy to mildew and rot due to thin and juicy skin which reduce the nutritional value, flavor, and shelf life of fresh goji berries.…”