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Functional expression of a peritrophin A-like SfPER protein is required for larval development in Spodoptera

Claudia Rodríguez-de la Noval1,2, Lianet Rodríguez-Cabrera1, Laurent Izquierdo1

  • 1Plant Division, Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), Havana, 10600, Cuba.

Scientific Reports
|February 24, 2019
PubMed

Insights

We identified a novel peritrophin A protein, SfPER, in Spodoptera frugiperda that binds chitin. Suppressing SfPER impacted insect development, suggesting it as a potential target for insect control.

Area of Science:

  • Insect molecular biology
  • Chitin-binding proteins
  • Peritrophic membrane structure and function

Background:

  • Peritrophins are crucial for insect peritrophic membrane (PM) integrity.
  • The PM lines the insect midgut, aiding digestion and detoxification.
  • Understanding novel peritrophins can reveal new insect control strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To clone and characterize the novel peritrophin A protein, SfPER, from Spodoptera frugiperda.
  • To investigate the functional role of SfPER in the peritrophic membrane.
  • To assess the potential of SfPER as a target for insect pest management.

Main Methods:

  • Full-length cDNA cloning and molecular characterization of SfPER.
  • Phylogenetic analysis to determine SfPER's evolutionary relationships.
  • Chitin affinity assays and Western blot analysis to confirm chitin binding and localization.
  • In vivo gene silencing to evaluate SfPER's functional impact on insect development and susceptibility.

Main Results:

  • SfPER possesses a CMCMC domain structure with chitin-binding capabilities.
  • SfPER transcripts are present in larval and adult stages of Spodoptera frugiperda.
  • SfPER exhibits chitin-binding affinity and is localized along the peritrophic membrane.
  • Suppression of SfPER expression reduced pupal weight and adult emergence, indicating impaired digestion.

Conclusions:

  • SfPER is a novel chitin-binding peritrophin A protein in Spodoptera frugiperda.
  • SfPER plays a significant role in insect development and midgut function.
  • SfPER represents a promising novel target for developing new insect control methods.

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