Molecular characterizations and expression profiles under temperature stress of transient receptor potential channels...

Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels play critical roles in responding to external environment and regulating homeostasis in insects. TRPs have been widely investigated for their critical roles in regulating various insect behaviors in recent years, and have become potential molecular targets for insecticides or repellents. In this study, 12 TRP gene were identified and analyzed in the genome of Diaphorina citri, a highly destructive pest that has become a global problem due to its a vector of Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas), the principal causal of huanglongbing (HLB). The results showed that the TRP family genes were classified into seven subfamilies in D. citri, including three TRPA subfamily, two TRPV and TRPC subfamily, one TRPN, TRPP, TRPM, and TRPML subfamily. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) experiments revealed widespread expression of TRP channel genes across various developmental stages and tissues of D. citri. The expression levels of DcTRPML, DcTRPL, and DcWtrw genes were significantly different from controls, indicating their important roles in immune responses to CLas infection. To investigate the potential role of TRP genes to temperature change, we detected their expression level under low and high temperature stress. The results reveal that the most of TRP genes' transcriptional level were significantly up-regulated, suggestion their involvement in response to temperature stress in D. citri. Our findings provide important information and resources for developing new approaches to control ACP targeting these important ion channels.