Downregulation of the DNA replication pathway genes stimulate reproductive diapause preparation in the cabbage beetle, Colaphellus bowringi

Shuang Guo; Hao-Min An; Zhong Tian; Wen Liu; Xiao-Ping Wang

doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.138464

Downregulation of the DNA replication pathway genes stimulate reproductive diapause preparation in the cabbage beetle, Colaphellus bowringi

Int J Biol Macromol. 2024 Dec 5:286:138464. doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.138464. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Shuang Guo¹, Hao-Min An², Zhong Tian³, Wen Liu⁴, Xiao-Ping Wang⁵

Affiliations

¹ Hubei Key Laboratory of Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China.
² Hubei Key Laboratory of Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China.
³ Hubei Key Laboratory of Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; Innovative Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, Academy for Interdiscipline, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China.
⁴ Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, G-504, Biological Sciences Bldg., Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E9, Canada.
⁵ Hubei Key Laboratory of Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China. Electronic address: xpwang@mail.hzau.edu.cn.

PMID: 39645116
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.138464

Abstract

Diapause is a prevalent strategy employed by insects to survive adverse environmental conditions, by halting development and reducing metabolic activity. Although the suppression of DNA replication aligns logically with these reduced developmental and physiological activities, the role of DNA replication in regulating insect diapause remains largely unknown. In this study, we used the cabbage beetle, Colaphellus bowringi, to investigate the role of DNA replication pathway in regulating reproductive diapause. Transcriptome analysis identified DNA replication as a key pathway during diapause preparation in female adults. Fourteen DNA replication genes were isolated, encompassing essential stages of DNA replication, including DNA unwinding, primer synthesis, and DNA synthesis. These genes exhibited consistently reduced expression in diapause females compared to those in reproductive females. RNA interference knockdown of these genes in reproductive female adults resulted in 11 out of 14 gene depletions, manifesting typical diapause traits such as suppressed vitellogenesis, arrested ovary growth, and increased lipid accumulation. Furthermore, we demonstrated 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E), through canonical signaling pathway, regulates the differential expression of DNA replication genes between reproductive and diapause states. Our findings suggest 20E deficiency suppresses DNA replication to induce reproductive diapause, and highlighting the DNA replication process as a potential target for pest management.

Keywords: 20-hydroxyecdysone; Cell cycle; Developmental plasticity.