Genome-wide identification and expression patterns of uridine diphosphate (UDP)-glycosyltransferase genes in the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens

Xiaohong Zheng; Hongfei Shang; Qifan Liu; Luao Tian; Yuzhen Yue; Shiqing Meng; Jiahui Chen; Linlin Su; Jiaxin Quan; Yi Zhang; Xiaoli Li; Kedong Xu; Xinxin Shangguan

doi:10.1016/j.cbd.2024.101403

Genome-wide identification and expression patterns of uridine diphosphate (UDP)-glycosyltransferase genes in the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens

Comp Biochem Physiol Part D Genomics Proteomics. 2024 Dec 30:54:101403. doi: 10.1016/j.cbd.2024.101403. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Xiaohong Zheng¹, Hongfei Shang², Qifan Liu³, Luao Tian³, Yuzhen Yue³, Shiqing Meng³, Jiahui Chen³, Linlin Su³, Jiaxin Quan³, Yi Zhang¹, Xiaoli Li¹, Kedong Xu⁴, Xinxin Shangguan⁵

Affiliations

¹ Key Laboratory of Plant Genetics and Molecular Breeding, Zhoukou Normal University, Zhoukou 466001, China; Henan Key Laboratory of Crop Molecular Breeding & Bioreactor, Zhoukou 466001, China.
² College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Zhoukou Normal University, Zhoukou 466001, China.
³ College of Life Science and Agronomy, Zhoukou Normal University, Zhoukou 466001, China.
⁴ Key Laboratory of Plant Genetics and Molecular Breeding, Zhoukou Normal University, Zhoukou 466001, China; Henan Key Laboratory of Crop Molecular Breeding & Bioreactor, Zhoukou 466001, China. Electronic address: xukd1107@126.com.
⁵ Key Laboratory of Plant Genetics and Molecular Breeding, Zhoukou Normal University, Zhoukou 466001, China; Henan Key Laboratory of Crop Molecular Breeding & Bioreactor, Zhoukou 466001, China. Electronic address: shangguanxin0409@163.com.

PMID: 39754993
DOI: 10.1016/j.cbd.2024.101403

Abstract

Uridine diphosphate-glycosyltransferases (UGTs) are responsible for glycosylation by combining various small lipophilic molecules with sugars to produce water-soluble glycosides, which are crucial for the metabolism of plant secondary metabolites and detoxification in insects. This study presents a genome-wide analysis of the UGT gene family in the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens, a destructive insect pest of rice in Asia. Based on the similarity to UGT homologs from other organisms, 20 putative NlUGT genes were identified in N. lugens. Sequence analysis revealed an average amino acid identity of 45.64 %; however, catalytic and sugar-binding residues, along with UGT signature motifs, were highly conserved. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the 20 NlUGTs were clustered into three main groups. The motif numbers ranged from 5 to 10, with motifs 1 and 4 being found in the functional domains of all 20 NlUGT proteins. Tandem and segmental duplication analysis identified one tandem duplication pair (UGT386K7 and UGT386K8) and two pairs of collinearity genes (UGT362C6/UGT386J4 and UGT386C2/UGT386G5) that expanded through segmental duplication within the UGT gene family of N. lugens. Combining the transcriptome and real-time quantitative PCR data showed that gut, antennae, integument, and ovaries were the tissues enriched with NlUGT gene expression. Six NlUGTs were present mainly in the gut, suggesting their putative roles in detoxification. This research provides valuable information on the molecular and genetic basis of NlUGTs, establishing a solid foundation for subsequent functional investigations of UGTs in planthopper, as well as paving the way for identifying potential targets to manage N. lugens effectively.

Keywords: Detoxification; Expression profile; Nilaparvata lugens; Phylogenetic analysis; UDP-glycosyltransferase.