Role of carbohydrate-active enzymes in brown planthopper virulence and adaptability

IntroductionHerbivorous insects, including the brown planthopper (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens, are among the most damaging pests to agricultural crops worldwide, particularly rice. These insects employ a variety of strategies to overcome plant defenses, including the secretion of carbohydrate-active en...

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Main Authors: Fang Liu, Jing Xiao, Xin-Feng Wang, Ya-Xuan Wang, Hou-Hong Yang, Yu-Biao Cai, Feng-Xiang Lai, Qiang Fu, Pin-Jun Wan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-04-01
Series:Frontiers in Plant Science
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2025.1554498/full
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author Fang Liu
Fang Liu
Jing Xiao
Xin-Feng Wang
Ya-Xuan Wang
Hou-Hong Yang
Yu-Biao Cai
Feng-Xiang Lai
Qiang Fu
Pin-Jun Wan
author_facet Fang Liu
Fang Liu
Jing Xiao
Xin-Feng Wang
Ya-Xuan Wang
Hou-Hong Yang
Yu-Biao Cai
Feng-Xiang Lai
Qiang Fu
Pin-Jun Wan
author_sort Fang Liu
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionHerbivorous insects, including the brown planthopper (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens, are among the most damaging pests to agricultural crops worldwide, particularly rice. These insects employ a variety of strategies to overcome plant defenses, including the secretion of carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) that degrade plant cell walls. While CAZymes are well-studied in other insect species, their role in BPH virulence remains largely unexplored. MethodsThis study aims to address this gap by analyzing CAZymes in 182 insect genomes, followed by a detailed genomic and transcriptomic analysis of BPH.ResultsWe identified 644 CAZymes in BPH, including enzymes related to plant cell wall degradation. Through quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) and subcellular localization experiments, we found that 5 candidate genes exhibited increased expression during feeding on the susceptible rice variety TN1, a well-characterized variety highly susceptible to BPH and these genes were localized to the plasma membrane. Our results suggest that BPH CAZymes play a critical role in the insect's ability to feed and damage rice plants.DiscussionThis study provides valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying insect adaptation and virulence in the co-evolutionary process between plants and herbivorous insects. By exploring the function of pest-related genes in the BPH and examining their differential responses in rice varieties with varying resistance to BPH, we aim to contribute to the development of targeted pest management strategies.
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spelling doaj-art-0f1fc566bc6347b18a761fa2243fae832025-08-20T02:16:13ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Plant Science1664-462X2025-04-011610.3389/fpls.2025.15544981554498Role of carbohydrate-active enzymes in brown planthopper virulence and adaptabilityFang Liu0Fang Liu1Jing Xiao2Xin-Feng Wang3Ya-Xuan Wang4Hou-Hong Yang5Yu-Biao Cai6Feng-Xiang Lai7Qiang Fu8Pin-Jun Wan9The National Key Laboratory of Rice Biological Breeding, China National Rice Research Institute, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, ChinaHubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, ChinaThe National Key Laboratory of Rice Biological Breeding, China National Rice Research Institute, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, ChinaThe National Key Laboratory of Rice Biological Breeding, China National Rice Research Institute, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, ChinaThe National Key Laboratory of Rice Biological Breeding, China National Rice Research Institute, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, ChinaThe National Key Laboratory of Rice Biological Breeding, China National Rice Research Institute, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, ChinaThe National Key Laboratory of Rice Biological Breeding, China National Rice Research Institute, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, ChinaThe National Key Laboratory of Rice Biological Breeding, China National Rice Research Institute, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, ChinaThe National Key Laboratory of Rice Biological Breeding, China National Rice Research Institute, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, ChinaThe National Key Laboratory of Rice Biological Breeding, China National Rice Research Institute, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, ChinaIntroductionHerbivorous insects, including the brown planthopper (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens, are among the most damaging pests to agricultural crops worldwide, particularly rice. These insects employ a variety of strategies to overcome plant defenses, including the secretion of carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) that degrade plant cell walls. While CAZymes are well-studied in other insect species, their role in BPH virulence remains largely unexplored. MethodsThis study aims to address this gap by analyzing CAZymes in 182 insect genomes, followed by a detailed genomic and transcriptomic analysis of BPH.ResultsWe identified 644 CAZymes in BPH, including enzymes related to plant cell wall degradation. Through quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) and subcellular localization experiments, we found that 5 candidate genes exhibited increased expression during feeding on the susceptible rice variety TN1, a well-characterized variety highly susceptible to BPH and these genes were localized to the plasma membrane. Our results suggest that BPH CAZymes play a critical role in the insect's ability to feed and damage rice plants.DiscussionThis study provides valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying insect adaptation and virulence in the co-evolutionary process between plants and herbivorous insects. By exploring the function of pest-related genes in the BPH and examining their differential responses in rice varieties with varying resistance to BPH, we aim to contribute to the development of targeted pest management strategies.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2025.1554498/fullbrown planthopperCAZymesplant-insect interactionrice defense responserice
spellingShingle Fang Liu
Fang Liu
Jing Xiao
Xin-Feng Wang
Ya-Xuan Wang
Hou-Hong Yang
Yu-Biao Cai
Feng-Xiang Lai
Qiang Fu
Pin-Jun Wan
Role of carbohydrate-active enzymes in brown planthopper virulence and adaptability
Frontiers in Plant Science
brown planthopper
CAZymes
plant-insect interaction
rice defense response
rice
title Role of carbohydrate-active enzymes in brown planthopper virulence and adaptability
title_full Role of carbohydrate-active enzymes in brown planthopper virulence and adaptability
title_fullStr Role of carbohydrate-active enzymes in brown planthopper virulence and adaptability
title_full_unstemmed Role of carbohydrate-active enzymes in brown planthopper virulence and adaptability
title_short Role of carbohydrate-active enzymes in brown planthopper virulence and adaptability
title_sort role of carbohydrate active enzymes in brown planthopper virulence and adaptability
topic brown planthopper
CAZymes
plant-insect interaction
rice defense response
rice
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2025.1554498/full
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