Molecular identification and diapause‐related functional characterization of a novel dual‐specificity kinase gene, MPKL, in Locusta migratoria

Abstract

Diapause is an important overwintering strategy enabling Locusta migratoria to survive under stressed conditions. We identified a novel dual‐specificity kinase gene that is differentially expressed between long and short day‐treated L. migratoria. To determine its function on photoperiodic diapause induction, we cloned the specific gene. Interestingly, phylogenetic analysis shows that this dual‐specificity kinase is of the mycetozoa protein kinase‐like (MPKL) type and may have been transferred horizontally from Mycetozoa to L. migratoria. RNA interference results confirm that MPKL promotes photoperiodic diapause induction of L. migratoria. Furthermore, MPKL significantly inhibits Akt and FOXO (i.e. forkhead box protein O) phosphorylation levels in ovaries, and also enhances reactive oxygen species, superoxide dismutase and catalase activities, whereas peroxidase activity is decreased under both photoperiodic regimes. The findings of the present study offer insight into the molecular mechanism responsible for dual‐specificity kinase‐induced diapause in insects.

TMT-Based Quantitative Proteomic Profiling of Overwintering Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus

“…Various aspects of the mechanism via which overwintering insects survive low temperature conditions have been studied (Rinehart et al, 2007; Clark and Worland, 2008;Fu et al, 2019;Hao et al, 2019). Insects enhance their cold resistance by means of behavioral, biochemical, and physiological strategies.…”

Integrative Proteomic and Phosphoproteomic Analyses Revealed Complex Mechanisms Underlying Reproductive Diapause in Bombus terrestris Queens

“…In the honeybee ( Apis mellifera ), phosphoproteomic analysis has been widely applied to assess the transition from nurse to forager bee, the embryo–larva transition, the production of royal jelly and venom, and the development of the salivary glands and hypopharyngeal glands [ 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 ]. Previous studies have demonstrated that phosphorylation modifications also participate in the regulation of insect diapause [ 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 ]. A prior report showed significant differences in 23 phosphoproteins in the brain of the cotton bollworm ( Helicoverpa armigera ) in the nondiapause- and diapause-destined pupae [ 26 ].…”