Research on the Expression of Immune-Related Genes at Different Stages in the Third-Instar Larvae of <i>Spodoptera frugiperda</i> Infected by <i>Metarhizium rileyi</i>
<i>Spodoptera frugiperda</i> is a major migratory agricultural pest that poses a significant threat to global crop safety. <i>Metarhizium rileyi</i> has emerged as an effective biocontrol agent against lepidopteran pests. In this study, we examined the immune responses of thi...
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MDPI AG
2025-02-01
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| author | Pengfei Xu Zhan He Xuyuan Gao Xianru Zeng Dewei Wei Xiuzhen Long Yonghao Yu |
| author_facet | Pengfei Xu Zhan He Xuyuan Gao Xianru Zeng Dewei Wei Xiuzhen Long Yonghao Yu |
| author_sort | Pengfei Xu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <i>Spodoptera frugiperda</i> is a major migratory agricultural pest that poses a significant threat to global crop safety. <i>Metarhizium rileyi</i> has emerged as an effective biocontrol agent against lepidopteran pests. In this study, we examined the immune responses of third-instar <i>S. frugiperda</i> larvae at various stages of an <i>M. rileyi</i> infection. Using RNA-seq and microscopic observation, we identified the immune-related pathways enriched at different infection stages, which were further validated by a qRT-PCR. Our findings revealed the following immune responses during infection: During the stage when <i>M. rileyi</i> penetrated the host cuticle (0–48 h), the genes related to energy metabolism, detoxification, and melanization were upregulated. Meanwhile, the TOLL and IMD signaling pathways were activated to counter the infection. During the stage of <i>M. rileyi</i>’s internal infection (48–96 h), which was the peak expression period of the immune-related genes, cellular immunity predominated. Hemocytes encapsulated and phagocytosed the hyphal bodies. Phagocytosis was enhanced through the upregulation of the genes related to ROS and the melanization-related genes, as well as the genes involved in insect hormone biosynthesis. During the stage when <i>M. rileyi</i> grew from the inside to the outside of the host (96–120 h), immune system paralysis resulted in host mortality. These findings deepen our understanding of the immune interactions between <i>M. rileyi</i> and <i>S. frugiperda</i>, support the potential of <i>M. rileyi</i> as an effective biocontrol agent, and provide a theoretical foundation for the development of targeted biopesticides for pests using biotechnological approaches. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-da5c09b1c70b45478d6ed0290b5147d2 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2075-4450 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Insects |
| spelling | doaj-art-da5c09b1c70b45478d6ed0290b5147d22025-08-20T02:44:46ZengMDPI AGInsects2075-44502025-02-0116219910.3390/insects16020199Research on the Expression of Immune-Related Genes at Different Stages in the Third-Instar Larvae of <i>Spodoptera frugiperda</i> Infected by <i>Metarhizium rileyi</i>Pengfei Xu0Zhan He1Xuyuan Gao2Xianru Zeng3Dewei Wei4Xiuzhen Long5Yonghao Yu6Key Laboratory of Green Prevention and Control on Fruits and Vegetables in South China Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Nanning 530007, ChinaKey Laboratory of Green Prevention and Control on Fruits and Vegetables in South China Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Nanning 530007, ChinaKey Laboratory of Green Prevention and Control on Fruits and Vegetables in South China Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Nanning 530007, ChinaKey Laboratory of Green Prevention and Control on Fruits and Vegetables in South China Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Nanning 530007, ChinaKey Laboratory of Green Prevention and Control on Fruits and Vegetables in South China Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Nanning 530007, ChinaKey Laboratory of Green Prevention and Control on Fruits and Vegetables in South China Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Nanning 530007, ChinaKey Laboratory of Green Prevention and Control on Fruits and Vegetables in South China Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Nanning 530007, China<i>Spodoptera frugiperda</i> is a major migratory agricultural pest that poses a significant threat to global crop safety. <i>Metarhizium rileyi</i> has emerged as an effective biocontrol agent against lepidopteran pests. In this study, we examined the immune responses of third-instar <i>S. frugiperda</i> larvae at various stages of an <i>M. rileyi</i> infection. Using RNA-seq and microscopic observation, we identified the immune-related pathways enriched at different infection stages, which were further validated by a qRT-PCR. Our findings revealed the following immune responses during infection: During the stage when <i>M. rileyi</i> penetrated the host cuticle (0–48 h), the genes related to energy metabolism, detoxification, and melanization were upregulated. Meanwhile, the TOLL and IMD signaling pathways were activated to counter the infection. During the stage of <i>M. rileyi</i>’s internal infection (48–96 h), which was the peak expression period of the immune-related genes, cellular immunity predominated. Hemocytes encapsulated and phagocytosed the hyphal bodies. Phagocytosis was enhanced through the upregulation of the genes related to ROS and the melanization-related genes, as well as the genes involved in insect hormone biosynthesis. During the stage when <i>M. rileyi</i> grew from the inside to the outside of the host (96–120 h), immune system paralysis resulted in host mortality. These findings deepen our understanding of the immune interactions between <i>M. rileyi</i> and <i>S. frugiperda</i>, support the potential of <i>M. rileyi</i> as an effective biocontrol agent, and provide a theoretical foundation for the development of targeted biopesticides for pests using biotechnological approaches.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/16/2/199<i>Metarhizium rileyi</i><i>Spodoptera frugiperda</i>infection processinnate immunityRNA-seq |
| spellingShingle | Pengfei Xu Zhan He Xuyuan Gao Xianru Zeng Dewei Wei Xiuzhen Long Yonghao Yu Research on the Expression of Immune-Related Genes at Different Stages in the Third-Instar Larvae of <i>Spodoptera frugiperda</i> Infected by <i>Metarhizium rileyi</i> Insects <i>Metarhizium rileyi</i> <i>Spodoptera frugiperda</i> infection process innate immunity RNA-seq |
| title | Research on the Expression of Immune-Related Genes at Different Stages in the Third-Instar Larvae of <i>Spodoptera frugiperda</i> Infected by <i>Metarhizium rileyi</i> |
| title_full | Research on the Expression of Immune-Related Genes at Different Stages in the Third-Instar Larvae of <i>Spodoptera frugiperda</i> Infected by <i>Metarhizium rileyi</i> |
| title_fullStr | Research on the Expression of Immune-Related Genes at Different Stages in the Third-Instar Larvae of <i>Spodoptera frugiperda</i> Infected by <i>Metarhizium rileyi</i> |
| title_full_unstemmed | Research on the Expression of Immune-Related Genes at Different Stages in the Third-Instar Larvae of <i>Spodoptera frugiperda</i> Infected by <i>Metarhizium rileyi</i> |
| title_short | Research on the Expression of Immune-Related Genes at Different Stages in the Third-Instar Larvae of <i>Spodoptera frugiperda</i> Infected by <i>Metarhizium rileyi</i> |
| title_sort | research on the expression of immune related genes at different stages in the third instar larvae of i spodoptera frugiperda i infected by i metarhizium rileyi i |
| topic | <i>Metarhizium rileyi</i> <i>Spodoptera frugiperda</i> infection process innate immunity RNA-seq |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/16/2/199 |
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