Elucidating Cold-Stress-Induced Metabolic and Transcriptional Reprogramming in Tuta absoluta Larvae Through...

Area of Science:

• Insect physiology
• Stress biology
• Metabolomics and transcriptomics

Background:

• Chilling injury in insects impairs physiological performance, affecting survival and growth.
• Warm-adapted pests like *Tuta absoluta* are particularly susceptible to cold stress.
• Understanding cold stress mechanisms is crucial for pest management strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the physiological and molecular responses of *Tuta absoluta* larvae to low-temperature stress.
• To identify the metabolic and cellular disruptions caused by cold exposure.
• To elucidate the trade-offs between growth and stress defense under thermal stress.

Main Methods:

• Integrated analysis of physiological, metabolomic, and transcriptomic data.
• Larval exposure to three thermal regimes (25°C, 15°C, 5°C) for 7 days.
• Measurement of survival, feeding performance, enzyme activities, metabolite levels, and gene expression.

Main Results:

• Low temperatures reduced survival, feeding, and digestive enzyme activity, depleting glycogen reserves.
• Accumulation of trehalose and proline indicated a shift to protective metabolism.
• Cold stress caused metabolic imbalance, reduced antioxidant capacity (peroxidase, superoxide dismutase), and increased reactive oxygen species (ROS).
• Metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses revealed altered amino acid and carbohydrate metabolism, with differential gene regulation in energy production, oxidative stress, and growth pathways.

Conclusions:

• Metabolic reprogramming and transcriptional regulation are linked, showing a trade-off between growth and defense under cold stress.
• Metabolic and redox imbalances are key mechanisms of cold-induced physiological decline in *Tuta absoluta*.
• Low temperature constrains insect performance by disrupting energy homeostasis and cellular function.