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Molecular and functional properties of two Spodoptera exigua acetylcholinesterase genes
Author(s) -
Zhao Jing,
Hao Dejun,
Xiao Liubin,
Tan Yongan,
Jiang Yiping,
Bai Lixin,
Wang Kai
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
archives of insect biochemistry and physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.576
H-Index - 66
eISSN - 1520-6327
pISSN - 0739-4462
DOI - 10.1002/arch.21554
Subject(s) - exigua , biology , spodoptera , open reading frame , complementary dna , spodoptera litura , gene , helicoverpa armigera , noctuidae , acetylcholinesterase , microbiology and biotechnology , biochemistry , pest analysis , lepidoptera genitalia , botany , peptide sequence , enzyme , recombinant dna
Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is a vital enzyme that hydrolyzes acetylcholine. Here, full‐length complementary DNAs (cDNAs) of two acetylcholinesterase genes ( SeAce1 and SeAce2 ) were obtained from Spodoptera exigua, a widespread phytophagous pest in agriculture. The complete SeAce1 cDNA comprised 5447 nucleotides including an open reading frame (ORF) encoding 694 amino acids, while SeAce2 cDNA encompassed a 1917‐bp ORF which would likely yield 638 amino acids. Both SeAce1 and SeAce2 contained specific characteristics of functional AChE. A phylogenetic tree of all lepidopteran insect Aces showed S. exigua clustered with S. litura , Helicoverpa assulta , and H. armigera , all of which are Noctuidae. In S. exigua , SeAce1 gene expression levels (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction [RT‐PCR] and quantitative RT‐PCR) were markedly increased compared with SeAce2 in all developmental phases and tissue types. Both genes were down regulated by inserting the corresponding dsRNAs in 5th instar larvae, which resulted in 56.7% ( SeAce1 ) and 24.6% ( SeAce2 ) death. Downregulation of both SeAce1 and SeAce2 significantly reduced fecundity and vitellogenin gene expression in S. exigua . These results revealed the biological functions of the two Ace genes ( SeAce1 and SeAce2 ), providing novel insights into the development of strategies for controlling insect pests.