Large‐scale gene expression reveals different adaptations of Hyalopterus persikonus to winter and summer host plants

Abstract

Host alternation, an obligatory seasonal shifting between host plants of distant genetic relationship, has had significant consequences for the diversification and success of the superfamily of aphids. However, the underlying molecular mechanism remains unclear. In this study, the molecular mechanism of host alternation was explored through a large-scale gene expression analysis of the mealy aphid Hyalopterus persikonus on winter and summer host plants. More than four times as many unigenes of the mealy aphid were significantly upregulated on summer host Phragmites australis than on winter host Rosaceae plants. In order to identify gene candidates related to host alternation, the differentially expressed unigenes of H. persikonus were compared to salivary gland expressed genes and secretome of Acyrthosiphon pisum. Genes involved in ribosome and oxidative phosphorylation and with molecular functions of heme-copper terminal oxidase activity, hydrolase activity and ribosome binding were potentially upregulated in salivary glands of H. persikonus on the summer host. Putative secretory proteins, such as detoxification enzymes (carboxylesterases and cytochrome P450s), antioxidant enzymes (peroxidase and superoxide dismutase), glutathione peroxidase, glucose dehydrogenase, angiotensin-converting enzyme, cadherin, and calreticulin, were highly expressed in H. persikonus on the summer host, while a SCP GAPR-1-like family protein and a salivary sheath protein were highly expressed in the aphids on winter hosts. These results shed light on phenotypic plasticity in host utilization and seasonal adaptation of aphids.

Genome-wide identification and expression analysis of the VQ gene family in soybean (Glycine max)

“…The Ka and Ks were used to assess the selection history and divergence time of gene families (Li, Gojobori & Nei, 1981). The number of synonymous ( Ks ) and nonsynonymous ( Ka ) substitutions of duplicated VQ genes was computed by using the KaKs_Calculator 2.0 with the NG method (Xu et al, 2018). The divergence time ( T ) was calculated using the formula T = Ks ∕(2 × 6.1 × 10 −9 ) × 10 −6 million years ago (MYA) (Kim et al, 2013a; Kim et al, 2013b).…”

Functional Evaluation of Proteins in Watery and Gel Saliva of Aphids

“…The gene expression patterns of the mealy aphid Hyalopteris personikus feeding on Phragmites australis in summer and several members of the Rosaceae in winter showed enormous seasonal variations (Cui et al, 2016). In summer, several secretory proteins, attributed to watery saliva, were highly expressed, while a salivary sheath protein was highly expressed in winter.…”

Phylogeny and species reassessment of Hyalopterus (Aphididae, Aphidinae)

“…Numerous researchers have focused on the taxonomy of this group over the last century (Eastop, 1966; Favret, Meshram, Miller, Nieto Nafria, & Stekolshchikov, 2017; Lozier et al, 2008; Moreno‐Gonzalez & Nieto Nafria, 2018; Poultos et al, 2007; Rakauskas et al, 2013; Smith, 1936). Recent revisionary attempts to resolve the species boundaries within Hyalopterus have made progress partly as a result of the rapid introduction and spread of the invasive species H. pruni across North America (Lozier, Roderick, & Mills, 2009), as well as from a general interest in speciation mechanisms, host‐associated gene expression and so on (Cui, Yang, Guo, Kang, & Cui, 2017; Lozier et al, 2007). Despite continuing attention, the delimitation of the genus has remained unresolved, as no systematic study has assessed species from Asia, which may have left some species diversity undocumented.…”