Silencing of Decapentaplegic (Dpp) gene inhibited the wing expansion in the white‐backed planthopper, Sogatella furcifera (Horváth) (Hemiptera: Delphacidae)

Abstract

The Decapentaplegic gene controls wing patterning and spreading by regulating downstream genes in many insect species. However, the molecular characteristics, expression, and biological function of Dpp in Sogatella furcifera remain poorly understood. In this study, we cloned the Dpp gene from S. furcifera and examined its expression levels in different development stages, wing typed adults, and tissues. Then, the function of SfDpp gene was analyzed using an RNA interference (RNAi)‐based approach. The results showed that the full‐length complementary DNA of the SfDpp gene consists of 1034 bp and contains a 954‐bp open reading frame encoding 317 amino acids. SfDpp has a transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) propeptide superfamily domain and a TGF‐β superfamily domain, typical of members of the TGF‐β superfamily. Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction showed that the expression of SfDpp reached its highest expression level 40 min after eclosion. RNAi‐based gene silencing inhibited transcript levels of the corresponding messenger RNA in S. furcifera nymphs injected with double‐stranded RNA of SfDpp and resulted in death of 29.17% and 26.67% of 4th and 5th instar nymphs, respectively. The wing deformity rate of the adults was 74.12% and 3.41% after SfDpp gene silencing in 4th and 5th instar nymphs, respectively. Examining wing development‐associated genes showed that two target genes of Dpp (Vestigial and Spalt) were both dramatically downregulated after SfDpp was silenced. Our results demonstrate that downregulated SfDpp in early development causes wing expansion failure in S. furcifera. Thus, Dpp may be a target gene for restricting the migration of rice‐damaging planthoppers.

Functional characterization of five developmental signaling network genes in the white‐backed planthopper: Potential application for pest management

“…Much of the current research on wing development of rice planthoppers has focused on wing polymorphisms [82][83][84][85] or the regulatory pathways underlying wing development. 9,65,86 To assess targeted disruption of wing development as a control strategy, we initially used microinjection methods to screen target genes for the severity and frequency of wing defect phenotypes. RNAi of Sfarm produced a sufficiently robust effect to warrant testing its topical efficacy.…”

SfDicer2 RNA Interference Inhibits Molting and Wing Expansion in Sogatella furcifera

“…After Dpp expression, the wings of N. lugens exhibited different degrees of wing deformity [ 57 ]. In a study on S. furcifera , the silencing of Dpp resulted in abnormal phenotypes, such as curling or folding [ 58 ]. Similarly, Wg may affect wing elongation in S. furcifera .…”

TGF-β Type II Receptor Punt Suppresses Antimicrobial Peptide Expression and Influences Development in Tribolium castaneum

“…Despite these findings contributing significantly, further exploration is needed to elucidate the relationship between TGF-β pathways and insect immune pathways, such as the immune deficiency (IMD), Toll, and Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) pathways. In comparison, there has been a more substantial body of research focused on the role of TGF-β in insect wing development and reproduction [ 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 ].…”

“…Dpp has been established as a significant regulator of growth and patterning in imaginal discs across numerous insect species [ 12 , 13 , 14 ]. In contrast, while activin signaling is known to play a role in cell proliferation, its involvement in tissue patterning appears to be limited.…”