Identification and characterization of microRNAs in the immature stage of the beneficial predatory bug Arma chinensis Fallou (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a type of small noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression at the posttranscriptional level and can influence significant biological processes. Arma chinensis (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) is a predaceous insect species that preys upon a wide variety of insect pests. It is important to explore and understand the molecular mechanisms involving miRNAs in regulating developmental and other gene expression for beneficial insects. However, examination of miRNAs associated with Hemiptera, especially predatory bugs, has been absent or scarce. This study represents the first comprehensive analysis of predatory bug A. chinensis encoded miRNAs through high throughput sequencing and predicts genes and biological processes regulated by the newly identified miRNAs through analyzing their differential expression in and across five nymphal instars. A total of 64 A. chinensis miRNAs, including 46 conserved miRNAs and 18 novel miRNAs, were identified by analysis of high throughput sequence reads mapped to the genome. A total of 2913 potential gene targets for these 64 miRNAs were predicted by comprehensive analyses utilizing miRanda, PITA, and RNAhybrid. Gene Ontology annotation of predicted target genes of A. chinensis suggested the key processes regulated by miRNAs involved biological processes, regulation of cellular processes, and transporter activity. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway predictions included the Toll and Imd signaling pathway, Valine, leucine and isoleucine degradation, Steroid biosynthesis, the AGE‐RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications, and Alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism. This newly identified miRNAs through analyzing their differential expression, assessment of their predicted functions forms a foundation for further investigation of specific miRNAs.

Chromosome-level genome assembly of the predatory stink bug Arma custos

“…Notably, it has shown effective management of notorious invasive pests such as the fall webworm Hyphantria cunea , the Colorado potato beetle Leptinotarsa decemlineata , and the fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda through the augmentative release 6 – 8 . However, limited attention has been given to the investigation of the biological characteristics 9 – 11 , artificial rearing methods 3 , 5 , 12 , chemoecology 13 , response to temperature and drought stresses 8 , 14 – 17 , and developmental regulation by miRNA 18 of this predatory bug. In terms of its genetic information, only the mitochondrial genome and several transcriptomic datasets are available as the current genetic resources 13 , 15 , 16 , 18 , 19 .…”

“…However, limited attention has been given to the investigation of the biological characteristics 9 – 11 , artificial rearing methods 3 , 5 , 12 , chemoecology 13 , response to temperature and drought stresses 8 , 14 – 17 , and developmental regulation by miRNA 18 of this predatory bug. In terms of its genetic information, only the mitochondrial genome and several transcriptomic datasets are available as the current genetic resources 13 , 15 , 16 , 18 , 19 . Obtaining high-quality genome for providing a whole set of gene resources of A. custos will greatly facilitate a wide range of biological researches and allow further investigations, such as population genetic diversity, venomics, adaptive evolution, and comparative genomics.…”

Identification of metabolizing enzyme genes associated with xenobiotics and odorants in the predatory stink bug Arma custos based on transcriptome analysis

“…The importance of this insect for biological control has stimulated several studies into its biology and ecology, including its taxonomy, morphology, reproduction, geographical notes, olfactory system, predator-prey interaction, feeding strategies, mitochondrial genome and microRNAs [ 2 , [4] , [5] , [6] , [7] , [8] , [9] , [10] , [11] , [12] ]. However, the general knowledge about A. custos has important gaps.…”

Systematic identification and characterization of differentially expressed microRNAs under tetraniliprole exposure in the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda

“…MicroRNAs (miRNAs), a class of small, single‐stranded and noncoding RNAs with 18 to 25 nucleotides, have been verified to repress the expression of target mRNA genes by binding to the 3′‐untranslated regions (UTRs) or coding sequences (Asgari, 2013; Lucas et al, 2015; Wang et al, 2017; Y. Yin, Zhu, et al, 2021). MiRNAs play a critical role in the physiological and developmental pathways in many organisms (Lucas et al, 2015; Q. Zhang, Dou, et al, 2021).…”

“…MicroRNAs (miRNAs), a class of small, single-stranded and noncoding RNAs with 18 to 25 nucleotides, have been verified to repress the expression of target mRNA genes by binding to the 3′-untranslated regions (UTRs) or coding sequences (Asgari, 2013;Lucas et al, 2015;Wang et al, 2017;Y. Yin, Zhu, et al, 2021).…”