Identification of lncRNAs Associated with Imidacloprid Resistance in the Grain Aphid Rhopalosiphum padi (L.)...

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are non-coding transcripts that regulate various biological processes in many species, including insects. Some lncRNAs have been found to be associated with insecticide resistance. In this study, 4177 lncRNAs between the susceptive strain (RP-S) and the imidacloprid-resistant strain (RP-R) in Rhopalosiphum padi by transcriptome sequencing were recognized, including 2401 intergenic lncRNAs, 970 intron lncRNAs, and 806 antisense lncRNAs. Two hundred fifty-eight differentially expressed lncRNAs were observed, including 77 lncRNA transcripts that were upregulated, while 181 lncRNA transcripts were downregulated in RP-R compared to that in RP-S targeting 628 differentially expressed mRNAs. They could be involved in imidacloprid resistance by modulating the expression of 11 P450s, 2 CCEs, 6 UGTs, and 14 ABC transporters. Furthermore, quantitative PCR (qPCR), RNA interference (RNAi), and imidacloprid bioassay analyses demonstrated that overexpressed lnc8676, lnc36817, and lnc48853 were involved in imidacloprid resistance. This study provided comprehensive information on the lncRNAs profile and provided evidence that lncRNAs play a key role in conferring insecticide resistance to R. padi and have significant potential to be used as targets for pest control strategies.