Sec61s and Sec62/Sec63 Genes Are Essential for Survival by Regulating the Gut and Cuticle Development in Locusta...

In eukaryotes, a lot of proteins are transported across the endoplasmic reticulum by the heterotrimeric Sec61 channel. And post-translational transport needs another Sec62/Sec63 complex. However, functions of these genes are poorly explored in insects. In this study, we first identified five Sec genes, named Sec61α, Sec61β, Sec61γ, Sec62 and Sec63, in Locusta migratoria. Quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) analysis showed that these five genes were expressed in muti-tissues, including wing pad, leg, foregut, midgut, gastric cecum, hindgut, and highly expressed in the integument. Knockdown of LmSec61α and LmSec61γ by RNA interference (RNAi) lead to the feeding cessation with a mortality rate of 100%. However, there is only 13.4% of dsLmSec61β-injected nymphs died before molting. All nymphs injected with dsLmSec61α and dsLmSec61γ died before molting with the gut atrophy. Furthermore, hematoxylin-eosin staining indicated that the cells of the midguts and gastric caecum were defective, and the microvilli and peritrophic matrix were destroyed seriously after silencing LmSec61α and LmSec61γ. Knockdown of LmSec62 and LmSec63 resulted in high mortality before and during molting. The hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results showed that both the formation of the new cuticle and the degradation of the old cuticle were inhibited in dsLmSec63-injected insects compared to the controls. Especially, there was no obvious plaques on microvillar tips of the epidermal cells after silencing of LmSec63. These results revealed that Sec61s and Sec62/Sec63 genes are required in the gut and cuticle development of locusts. Therefore, these genes are potential targets for the control of locusts.