A Novel Cuticular Protein-like Cpr21L Is Essential for Nymph Survival and Male Fecundity in the Brown Planthopper

Abstract

Cuticular proteins (CPs) are a large family and perform a variety of functions. However, the physiological roles of cuticle protein 21-like (Cpr21L) in the brown planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens, BPH), one of the most destructive insect pests of rice, are largely unclear. In this study, Cpr21L was revealed to be expressed in both BPH nymphs and adults, and the mRNA expression level was much higher in male adults than female adults. Spatially, the expression of Cpr21L in the testis was higher than in the ovary. The RNA interference (RNAi) of Cpr21L seriously decreased nymph survival, and no individual survived 8 days post-dsCpr21L injection. The RNAi of Cpr21L in adults also decreased the fertility of males, especially in the dsCpr21L male x dsGFP female group. The average number of eggs laid by one female in this group significantly decreased by 50.1%, and the eggs' hatchability decreased from 76.5% to 23.8% compared with the control (dsGFP male x dsGFP female). Furthermore, observations under a stereomicroscope showed that the RNAi of Cpr21L severely impaired the development of the testes. Therefore, Cpr21L is essential for the nymphal survival and male fecundity of BPH, thus providing a possible target for pest control.

Keywords

Nilaparvata lugens; Cpr21L; RNA interference; survival; male fecundity

Published in

International Journal of Molecular Sciences
2023, Volume: 24, number: 3, article number: 2163Publisher: MDPI

SLU Authors

• Sun, Chuanxin

  • Department of Plant Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Zoology


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24032163

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/121432