RNA sequencing identifies an ovary‐enriched microRNA, miR‐311‐3p, involved in ovarian development and fecundity by targeting EndophilinB1 in Bactrocera dorsalis

Abstract

Background The oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis, is a highly invasive pest in East Asia and the Pacific. With the development of pesticides resistance, environment‐friendly pesticides are urgently needed. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are critical regulators of numerous biological processes, including reproduction. Thus, it is significant to identify reproductive‐related miRNAs in this notorious pest to facilitate its control, such as RNAi‐based biopesticides targeting essential miRNAs. Results A high‐throughput sequencing was carried out to identify miRNAs involved in reproduction from the ovary and fat body at four developmental stages [1 day (d), 5, 9, and 13 days post‐eclosion] in female B. dorsalis. Results showed that 98 and 74 miRNAs were differentially expressed in ovary and fat body, respectively, during sexual maturation. Gene ontology analysis showed that target genes involved in oogenesis and lipid particle accounted for 33% and 15% of the total targets, respectively. Among these differentially expressed miRNAs, we found by qPCR that miR‐311‐3p was enriched in the ovary and down‐regulated during sexual maturation. Injection of agomir‐miR‐311‐3p resulted in arrested ovarian development, reduced egg deposition and progeny viability. Endophilin B1 was confirmed to be the target of miR‐311‐3p, via dual‐luciferase assay and expression profiling. Knockdown of Endophilin B1 resulted in reproductive defects similar to those caused by injection of miR‐311‐3p agomir. Thus, miR‐311‐3p might play a critical role in female reproduction by targeting Endophilin B1. Conclusion Our data not only provides knowledge on the abundance of reproductive‐related miRNAs and target genes, but also promotes new control strategies for this pest. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

MiR-2b-2-5p regulates lipid metabolism and reproduction by targeting CREB in Bactrocera dorsalis

“…In our previous study, we identified a series of miRNAs differentially expressed during sexual maturation and potentially involved in female reproduction from different periods of the ovary and fat body using small RNA sequencing [ 40 ]. After quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) verification and preliminary functional screening based on literature, we focused specifically on miR-2b-2-5p, whose function is still unknown in insect.…”

Understanding the Invasion, Ecological Adaptations, and Management Strategies of Bactrocera dorsalis in China: A Review

“…Furthermore, miRNAs play a critical role in regulating B. dorsalis female reproduction through post-transcriptional regulation of target genes. Several miRNAs involved in the regulation of vitellogenin synthesis, oocyte maturation, and egg production have been identified [110,111]. The molecular mechanisms underlying the female maturation process in B. dorsalis have been studied.…”

Identification and Characterization of Development-Related microRNAs in the Red Flour Beetle, Tribolium castaneum

“…However, there have been many studies to explore functions of miRNAs in the insect. MiR-125-3p and miR-276b-3p target orb2 to regulate spermatogenesis of Bactrocera dorsalis [ 23 ], whereas miR-311-3p and miR-309a are involved in ovarian development [ 24 , 25 ]. In A. aegypti , miR-275, miR-305 [ 26 ] and miR-2940/Clumsy are responsible for egg development [ 27 ].…”