Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 8, 2025
Assessing Differences in Sperm Competitive Ability in Drosophila
Published on: August 22, 2013
DsFoxO knockout affects development and fecundity of Drosophila suzukii
Shan Zhao1,2,3, Ruijuan Wang1,2,3, Yan Liu1,2,3
1Institute of Plant Protection, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan, China.
Abstract:
Forkhead box O (FoxO), a key transcription factor in many species, participates in numerous physiological and pathological processes of organisms through a variety of signaling pathways. In the present study, we established DsFoxO knockout (DsFoxO-KO) strain using CRISPR/Cas9, and the influence on development and fecundity of mutant strain were evaluated. To clarify the corresponding mechanism, a transcriptome analysis was conducted subsequently. The results showed that the survival rates of the DsFoxO-KO strain in larval, pupal, and adult stages were all significantly lower than those of control. The duration of the pupal stage was similar between the two strains; however, durations of egg, larva, adult preoviposition period (APOP), and total APOP (TPOP) in the DsFoxO-KO strain were all significantly longer compared to those of the control strain. The fecundity of the DsFoxO-KO strain was 20.31 eggs/female, which was significantly lower than that of the control strain (430.47 eggs/female). With the transcriptome analysis, 612 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified. Following COG and GO analyses, we found that most of the DEGs were associated with the metabolic process. According to the KEGG database, the mTOR signaling, MAPK signaling, Wnt signaling, and Toll and Imd signaling pathways; insect hormone biosynthesis; autophagy; and apoptosis were altered in the DsFoxO-KO strain. These results demonstrated that knockout of DsFoxO in D. suzukii significantly influenced its development and fecundity, while transcriptome analysis provided insights to explore the corresponding molecular mechanism. These findings highlighted the critical role of FoxO in D. suzukii and might contribute to the development of novel management strategies for these flies in the future.
Insights
Knocking out the Forkhead box O (FoxO) gene in Drosophila suzukii significantly reduced survival and fecundity. Transcriptome analysis revealed altered metabolic and signaling pathways, highlighting FoxO's crucial role in fly development and reproduction.
Area of Science:
- Genetics and Molecular Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Entomology
Background:
- Forkhead box O (FoxO) transcription factors regulate vital cellular processes across species.
- Understanding FoxO's function is crucial for various physiological and pathological mechanisms.
- Drosophila suzukii poses significant challenges as an agricultural pest.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of Forkhead box O (FoxO) gene knockout on the development and fecundity of Drosophila suzukii.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying these effects using transcriptome analysis.
Main Methods:
- Established a Drosophila suzukii FoxO knockout (DsFoxO-KO) strain utilizing CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing.
- Evaluated developmental parameters including survival rates and stage durations.
- Assessed fecundity (egg-laying capacity) in the mutant and control strains.
- Performed transcriptome sequencing to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and analyze associated pathways.
Main Results:
- DsFoxO-KO flies exhibited significantly lower survival rates across larval, pupal, and adult stages.
- Developmental durations for egg, larva, and adult preoviposition periods were significantly extended in the DsFoxO-KO strain.
- Fecundity was drastically reduced in DsFoxO-KO flies (20.31 eggs/female) compared to controls (430.47 eggs/female).
- Transcriptome analysis identified 612 DEGs, primarily linked to metabolic processes.
- Key signaling pathways (mTOR, MAPK, Wnt, Toll/Imd), insect hormone biosynthesis, autophagy, and apoptosis were altered in DsFoxO-KO flies.
Conclusions:
- The knockout of DsFoxO profoundly affects Drosophila suzukii development and reproductive capacity.
- Transcriptome data provides critical insights into the molecular pathways regulated by DsFoxO.
- FoxO plays an essential role in Drosophila suzukii, suggesting potential targets for pest management strategies.
