Genome-Wide Identification, Expression Profiling, and Characterization of Cyclin-like Genes Reveal Their Role in the Fertility of the Diamondback Moth

Abstract

Cyclin-like genes are primarily considered as cell cycle regulators and have shown to be crucial for insect growth, development, reproduction, and fertility. However, no research has been performed on the cyclin-like genes in the diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella). Here, we identified the 21 cyclin genes in the genome of P. xylostella and clustered them into four groups. Most cyclin genes showed a well-maintained gene structure and motif distribution within the same group. The putative promoter regions of cyclin genes contained several transcription binding factors related to reproduction, along with growth and development. Furthermore, 16 miRNAs were identified targeting the 13 cyclin genes. Transcriptome and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR)-based expression profiling of cyclin-like genes at different stages and tissues were evaluated, revealing that 16 out of 21 cyclin genes were highly expressed in reproductive tissues of adult females and males. The Cyclin B1 gene (PxCyc B1) was only expressed in the ovary of the adult female and selected for the subsequent analysis. RNAi-mediated suppression of PxCyc B1 interrupted the external genitalia and length of the ovariole of female adults. Furthermore, the egg-laying capacity and hatching rate were also significantly decreased by suppressing the PxCyc B1, indicating the importance of cyclin genes in the reproduction and fertility of P. xylostella. The current study explained the detailed genome-wide analysis of cyclin-like genes in P. xylostella, which provided a basis for subsequent research to assess the roles of cyclin genes in reproduction, and the cyclin gene may be considered an effective target site to control this pest.

Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Analysis of the TIR-NBS-LRR Gene Family and Its Response to Fungal Disease in Rose (Rosa chinensis)

“…One miRNA was also capable of targeting multiple RcTNL genes, e.g., miR482b could target 61 RcTNL genes ( Figure 5 , Table S6 ). This is similar to previous studies [ 13 , 57 ].…”

Exploring the role of the ovary‐serine protease gene in the female fertility of the diamondback moth using CRISPR/Cas9

“…The newly hatched larvae were fed with the arti cial diet until pupae under controlled conditions of 26 ± 1°C, 65 ± 5% R.H. (relative humidity), and 16:8 h (light:dark) photoperiod. The detail methodology of P. xylostella rearing has been described previously (Asad et al 2022a;Asad et al 2022c;Asad et al 2020).…”

“…Based on the publicly available transcriptomic data, 43,44 the PxOsp gene was found to be highly up-regulated in female adults followed by female pupae and no expressions were observed in other stages (F = 272.8, df 1 = 9, df 2 = 20, P = 0.000; Fig. 2(a)).…”

The Potential Role of the Piwi Gene in the Development and Reproduction of Plutella xylostella

“…The Genova88 strain (artificial diet) was utilized in this study. The process of diet preparation and rearing methodology has been extensively documented in previous literature [44,45]. Larvae were raised in a controlled environment within the Institute of Applied Ecology at Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, maintaining specific conditions, including a temperature of 26 ± 1 • C, relative humidity of 65%, and a photoperiod of L:D = 16:8.…”

“…sgRNA sequences were designed following the principle of 5 -GG-(N)18-NGG-3 [44] using the online sgRNA design tool CHOPCHOP (https://chopchop.cbu.uib.no/; accessed on 3 March 2023), and CRISPR RGEN tools (https://www.rgenome.net/cas-offinder/; accessed on 3 March 2023) were used for mismatches. Finally, two sgRNA targets were successfully designed on exon 3 of the P. xylostella Piwi gene.…”