Sex peptide receptors are involved in the development and stress resistance of the Asian-type dancing moth

The sex peptide receptor in the Asian gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar, is involved in development and stress resistance

Sex peptide receptors are involved in the development and stress resistance of the Asian-type dancing moth

✺ DU Hui, SUN Li-li, LIU Peng, CAO Chuan-wang

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) regulate downstream genes by binding to heterotrimeric G proteins. However, the function of neutral peptide receptors in most Lepidoptera species is unknown. Understanding the physiological function of insect peptide receptors is critical to developing novel insecticide targets for action.

In this paper, the function of the Asian-type dance moth peptide receptor (LdSPR) was investigated. LdSPR gene expression was highest in the 6-year-old larvae of the dance moth, and there was a significant difference in expression between male and female adults. After the LdSPR gene was silenced, the sensitivity of the larvae to high temperature, hunger and oxidative stress increased, indicating that the LdSPR gene enhanced its stress resistance.

These findings enrich our understanding of insect peptide receptor function, contribute to a better understanding of G protein-coupled receptor family members in other insects, and identify new targets for the development of environmentally friendly pesticides.

Article link https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2095311920633652

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Cite this article:

DU Hui, SUN Li-li, LIU Peng, CAO Chuan-wang. 2021. The sex peptide receptor in the Asian gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar, is involved in development and stress resistance. Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 20(11): 2976–2985.