Comparative transcriptome and metabolome analysis of Ostrinia furnacalis female adults under UV-A exposure

Ultraviolet A (UV-A) radiation is a significant environmental factor that causes photoreceptor damage, apoptosis, and oxidative stress in insects. Ostrinia furnacalis is an important pest of corn. To understand the adaptation mechanisms of insect response to UV-A exposure, this study revealed differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and differently expressed metabolites (DEMs) in O. furnacalis under UV-A exposure. Three complementary DNA libraries were constructed from O. furnacalis adult females (CK, UV1h, and UV2h), and 50,106 expressed genes were obtained through Illumina sequencing. Of these, 157 and 637 DEGs were detected in UV1h and UV2h after UV-A exposure for 1 and 2 h, respectively, compared to CK, with 103 and 444 upregulated and 54 and 193 downregulated genes, respectively. Forty four DEGs were detected in UV2h compared to UV1h. Comparative transcriptome analysis between UV-treated and control groups revealed signal transduction, detoxification and stress response, immune defense, and antioxidative system involvement. Metabolomics analysis showed that 181 (UV1h vs. CK), 111 (UV2h vs. CK), and 34 (UV2h vs. UV1h) DEMs were obtained in positive ion mode, while 135 (UV1h vs. CK), 93 (UV2h vs. CK), and 36 (UV2h vs. UV1h) DEMs were obtained in negative ion mode. Moreover, UV-A exposure disturbed amino acid, sugar, and lipid metabolism. These findings provide insight for further studies on how insects protect themselves under UV-A stress.