Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 5, 2026
08:55
RNA Interference in Aquatic Beetles as a Powerful Tool for Manipulating Gene Expression at Specific Developmental Time Points
Published on: May 29, 2020
Laccase2 is required for cuticular pigmentation in stinkbugs
Ryo Futahashi1, Kohjiro Tanaka, Yu Matsuura
1National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8566, Japan. ryo-futahashi@aist.go.jp
Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
|December 21, 2010
Summary
The laccase2 gene is crucial for insect cuticle pigmentation and hardening. Suppressing this gene in stinkbugs blocked cuticular coloration, confirming its conserved role in diverse insect species.
Area of Science:
- Entomology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Insect cuticle maturation involves protein crosslinking mediated by diphenoloxidases.
- Laccase2 is known to be essential for pigmentation and hardening in some insect groups.
- The function of laccase genes in hemimetabolous insects, like stinkbugs, is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the biological role of laccase2 genes in hemipteran insects.
- To determine if laccase2 is involved in cuticular pigmentation and maturation in stinkbugs.
Main Methods:
- Identification of laccase2 genes in three stinkbug species: Riptortus pedestris, Nysius plebeius, and Megacopta punctatissima.
- Gene expression analysis in R. pedestris epidermal tissues.
- RNA interference (RNAi) to suppress laccase2 gene expression in stinkbugs.
Main Results:
- Laccase2 gene expression was high in R. pedestris epidermal tissues before molting.
- RNAi-mediated suppression of laccase2 gene expression resulted in blocked cuticular pigmentation post-molting in all three species.
- A dose of 20 ng of double-stranded RNA targeting laccase2 was sufficient to inhibit cuticular maturation.
Conclusions:
- The laccase2 gene plays a conserved and essential role in cuticular pigmentation across different stinkbug families.
- This finding highlights the conserved biological function of laccase2 in diverse insect taxa, extending beyond previously studied groups.
