A reference gene set for sex pheromone biosynthesis and degradation genes from the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella, based on genome and transcriptome digital gene expression analyses

Abstract

BackgroundFemale moths synthesize species-specific sex pheromone components and release them to attract male moths, which depend on precise sex pheromone chemosensory system to locate females. Two types of genes involved in the sex pheromone biosynthesis and degradation pathways play essential roles in this important moth behavior. To understand the function of genes in the sex pheromone pathway, this study investigated the genome-wide and digital gene expression of sex pheromone biosynthesis and degradation genes in various adult tissues in the diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella, which is a notorious vegetable pest worldwide.ResultsA massive transcriptome data (at least 39.04 Gb) was generated by sequencing 6 adult tissues including male antennae, female antennae, heads, legs, abdomen and female pheromone glands from DBM by using Illumina 4000 next-generation sequencing and mapping to a published DBM genome. Bioinformatics analysis yielded a total of 89,332 unigenes among which 87 transcripts were putatively related to seven gene families in the sex pheromone biosynthesis pathway. Among these, seven [two desaturases (DES), three fatty acyl-CoA reductases (FAR) one acetyltransferase (ACT) and one alcohol dehydrogenase (AD)] were mainly expressed in the pheromone glands with likely function in the three essential sex pheromone biosynthesis steps: desaturation, reduction, and esterification. We also identified 210 odorant-degradation related genes (including sex pheromone-degradation related genes) from seven major enzyme groups. Among these genes, 100 genes are new identified and two aldehyde oxidases (AOXs), one aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), five carboxyl/cholinesterases (CCEs), five UDP-glycosyltransferases (UGTs), eight cytochrome P450 (CYP) and three glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) displayed more robust expression in the antennae, and thus are proposed to participate in the degradation of sex pheromone components and plant volatiles.ConclusionsTo date, this is the most comprehensive gene data set of sex pheromone biosynthesis and degradation enzyme related genes in DBM created by genome- and transcriptome-wide identification, characterization and expression profiling. Our findings provide a basis to better understand the function of genes with tissue enriched expression. The results also provide information on the genes involved in sex pheromone biosynthesis and degradation, and may be useful to identify potential gene targets for pest control strategies by disrupting the insect-insect communication using pheromone-based behavioral antagonists.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-017-3592-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Glutathione-S-Transferases in the Olfactory Organ of the Noctuid Moth Spodoptera littoralis, Diversity and Conservation of Chemosensory Clades

“…SlitGSTe clustered with lepidopteran GSTe functionally involved in insecticide conjugation and protection against oxidative stress in B. mori, H. armigera, S. litura , and S. exigua (Huang et al, 2011; Yamamoto et al, 2013; Liu et al, 2015b; Xu et al, 2015; You et al, 2015; Zhou et al, 2015; Wan et al, 2016; Zhang et al, 2016; Hirowatari et al, 2017; Labade et al, 2018). Moreover, three P. xylostella GSTe are also preferentially expressed in the antennae (He et al, 2017), suggesting a potential role in olfaction. SlitGSTe9 and SlitGSTe6 were predominantly expressed in the adult antenna, legs and larval midgut; in addition, SlitGSTe15 was restricted to adult life stages and restricted to chemosensory tissues.…”

Overexpression of UDP‐glycosyltransferase potentially involved in insecticide resistance in Aphis gossypii Glover collected from Bt cotton fields in China

“…Early studies revealed insect UGT activity in different tissues and indicated that UGTs play diverse roles in olfaction, detoxification, pigmentation, digestion, and sequestration. [28][29][30][31][32][33] The detoxification of xenobiotics by UGTs has been further described in Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) and Heliothis virescens (Fabricius), and Zygaena filipendulae (L.) using the heterologous expression systems. 34,35 In A. gossypii, the overexpression of UGTs was observed in thiamethoxam-and imidacloprid-resistant populations.…”

Synthesis and bioactivity studies of sex pheromone analogs of the diamond back moth, Plutella xylostella

“…The target compound was obtained using column chromatography. (8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22). These analogs were obtained from (11Z)-hexadecen-1-ol (0.51 g, 2.1 mmol), 4-dimethylaminopyridine (0.01 g, 81.8 μmol), triethylamine (0.32 g, 3.2 mmol) and the corresponding anhydride using the synthetic method of 2.…”

“…Currently, most studies on sex pheromone analogs focus on their mechanism of action . As for P. xylostella , research mainly focuses on receptor protein and gene expression analysis for the synthesis and decomposition of sex pheromones . In this study, Z 11‐16: Ac and Hexadecyl acetate (16: Ac) were used as the parent structures and 23 sex pheromone analogs were designed and synthesized.…”

“…[18][19][20][21] As for P. xylostella, research mainly focuses on receptor protein and gene expression analysis for the synthesis and decomposition of sex pheromones. [22][23][24][25] In this study, Z11-16: Ac and Hexadecyl acetate (16: Ac) were used as the parent structures and 23 sex pheromone analogs were designed and synthesized. Lab experiments and field tests were both conducted to screen out analogs with good activity of interference with mating and establish a novel eco-friendly method to control P. xylostella.…”