NPF-OBP5 regulate sugar sensitivity and feeding behavior of rice planthoppers

Area of Science:

• Insect Physiology
• Molecular Biology
• Chemical Ecology

Background:

• Neuropeptide F (NPF) influences feeding behavior in insects.
• Odorant Binding Proteins (OBPs) are crucial for chemical perception in herbivorous insects.
• The role of NPF and OBPs in regulating sugar perception and feeding in brown planthoppers (BPH) remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the function of NPF and OBPs in sugar perception and feeding behavior of Nilaparvata lugens.
• To elucidate the impact of NPF and OBP on sugar metabolism and insect survival.

Main Methods:

• Gene expression analysis of NPF and OBPs in N. lugens.
• Fluorescence competitive binding assays to determine sugar-binding affinities of OBPs.
• RNA interference (RNAi) to knock down NlNPF and NlOBP5 expression.
• Assessment of sugar sensitivity, feeding behavior, trehalose metabolism, and survival rates.

Main Results:

• NlOBP5 demonstrated strong binding affinity to soluble sugars (glucose, fructose, sucrose).
• NlNPF knockdown upregulated NlOBP5, enhanced sugar sensitivity, promoted feeding, and increased trehalose levels.
• NlOBP5 knockdown reduced sugar sensitivity, inhibited feeding, and decreased trehalose levels, with partial rescue observed upon simultaneous NlNPF and NlOBP5 knockdown.

Conclusions:

• NlNPF and NlOBP5 play critical roles in regulating sugar sensitivity, feeding behavior, and trehalose metabolism in N. lugens.
• The NlNPF-NlOBP5 pathway offers potential targets for developing novel control strategies against rice planthoppers.