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Amplification and quantification of cold‐associated microRNAs in the Colorado potato beetle ( Leptinotarsa decemlineata ) agricultural pest
Author(s) -
Morin M. D.,
Frigault J. J.,
Lyons P. J.,
Crapoulet N.,
Boquel S.,
Storey K. B.,
Morin P. Jr
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
insect molecular biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.955
H-Index - 93
eISSN - 1365-2583
pISSN - 0962-1075
DOI - 10.1111/imb.12320
Subject(s) - leptinotarsa , colorado potato beetle , biology , pest analysis , microrna , integrated pest management , adaptation (eye) , insect , agricultural pest , microbiology and biotechnology , ecology , gene , botany , genetics , neuroscience , agricultural science
The Colorado potato beetle [ Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say)] is an important insect pest that can inflict considerable damage to potato plants. This insect can survive extended periods of cold exposure, and yet the molecular switches underlying this phenomenon have not been fully elucidated. A better characterization of this process would highlight novel vulnerabilities associated with L. decemlineata that could serve as targets for the management of this devastating pest. Using high‐throughput sequencing, the current work reveals a cold‐associated signature group of microRNAs (miRNAs) in control (15 °C) and −5 °C‐exposed L. decemlineata . The results show 42 differentially expressed miRNAs following cold exposure including miR‐9a‐3p, miR‐210‐3p, miR‐276‐5p and miR‐277‐3p. Functional analysis of predicted targets associated with these cold‐responsive miRNAs notably linked these changes with vital metabolic and cellular processes. Overall, this study highlights the miRNAs probably responsible for facilitating cold adaptation in L. decemlineata and implicates miRNAs as a key molecular target to consider in the development of novel pest management strategies against these insects.