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Application of Two-spotted Spider Mite Tetranychus urticae for Plant-pest Interaction Studies
Published on: July 4, 2014
Identification of Wolbachia-responsive microRNAs in the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae
Xia Rong, Yan-Kai Zhang, Kai-Jun Zhang
1Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China. xyhong@njau.edu.cn.
Background:
The two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae, is infected with Wolbachia, which have the ability to manipulate host reproduction and fitness. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that are involved in many biological processes such as development, reproduction and host-pathogen interactions. Although miRNA was observed to involve in Wolbachia-host interactions in the other insect systems, its roles have not been fully deciphered in the two-spotted spider mite.
Results:
Small RNA libraries of infected and uninfected T. urticae for both sexes (in total four libraries) were constructed. By integrating the mRNA data originated from the same samples, the target genes of the differentially expressed miRNAs were predicted. Then, GO and pathway analyses were performed for the target genes. Comparison of libraries showed that Wolbachia infection significantly regulated 91 miRNAs in females and 20 miRNAs in males, with an overall suppression of miRNAs in Wolbachia-infected libraries. A comparison of the miRNA and mRNA data predicted that the differentially expressed miRNAs negatively regulated 90 mRNAs in females and 9 mRNAs in males. An analysis of target genes showed that Wolbachia-responsive miRNAs regulated genes with function in sphingolipid metabolism, lysosome function, apoptosis and lipid transporting in both sexes, as well as reproduction in females.
Conclusion:
Comparisons of the miRNA and mRNA data can help to identify miRNAs and miRNA target genes involving in Wolbachia-host interactions. The molecular targets identified in this study should be useful in further functional studies.
Insights
Wolbachia infection in two-spotted spider mites alters microRNA (miRNA) expression, impacting genes involved in metabolism and reproduction. This study identifies key miRNAs and their targets in this host-pathogen interaction.
Area of Science:
- Entomology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- The two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) is susceptible to Wolbachia infection, a bacterium known to manipulate host reproduction.
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are crucial regulators of gene expression, implicated in host-pathogen interactions, but their specific roles in Wolbachia-infected mites remain unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the interaction between Wolbachia and the two-spotted spider mite.
- To identify differentially expressed miRNAs and their target genes in infected mites.
Main Methods:
- Construction and sequencing of small RNA libraries from Wolbachia-infected and uninfected T. urticae (females and males).
- Integration of miRNA and mRNA data to predict miRNA targets.
- Gene Ontology (GO) and pathway analyses of predicted target genes.
Main Results:
- Wolbachia infection significantly altered miRNA expression in both female (91 miRNAs) and male (20 miRNAs) mites, with an overall suppression observed.
- Differentially expressed miRNAs were predicted to negatively regulate numerous mRNAs, particularly affecting genes involved in sphingolipid metabolism, lysosome function, apoptosis, and lipid transport.
- Reproduction-related genes were specifically targeted by miRNAs in female mites.
Conclusions:
- miRNA and mRNA expression profiling effectively identifies key players in Wolbachia-host interactions.
- The identified molecular targets provide a foundation for future functional studies on mite reproduction and fitness manipulation by Wolbachia.
