Si-CSP9 regulates the integument and moulting process of larvae in the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta

Sci Rep. 2015 Mar 18:5:9245. doi: 10.1038/srep09245.

Abstract

Chemosensory proteins (CSPs) have been predicted to be involved in development; however, direct evidence for their involvement is lacking, and genetic basis is largely unknown. To determine the function of the chemosensory protein 9 (Si-CSP9) gene in Solenopsis invicta, we used RNA interference to silence Si-CSP9 in 3rd-instar larvae. The 3rd-instar larvae failed to shed their cuticle after being fed Si-CSP9-directed siRNA, and expression profiling of RNAi-treated and untreated control larvae showed that 375 genes were differentially expressed. Pathway enrichment analysis revealed that 4 pathways associated with larval development were significantly enriched. Blast analysis revealed that one fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) gene was up-regulated and 4 fatty acid synthase (FAT) genes and one protein kinase DC2 gene (PKA) were down-regulated in the enriched pathways. Significantly higher expression of these genes was found in 4th-instar larvae, and Pearson correlation analysis of the expression patterns revealed significant relationships among Si-CSP9, PKA, FAAH, and FAT1-4. Moreover, we confirmed that expression levels of Si-CSP9, FAAH, and FAT1-4 were significantly reduced and that the development of 3rd-instar larvae was halted with PKA silencing. These results suggest that Si-CSP9 and PKA may be involved in the network that contributes to development of 3rd-instar larvae.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amidohydrolases / genetics
  • Amidohydrolases / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Ants / growth & development
  • Ants / metabolism*
  • Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases / genetics
  • Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases / metabolism
  • Down-Regulation
  • Fatty Acid Synthases / metabolism
  • Insect Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Insect Proteins / genetics
  • Insect Proteins / metabolism*
  • Integumentary System / physiology*
  • Larva / metabolism
  • Life Cycle Stages
  • Molting / physiology*
  • RNA Interference
  • RNA, Small Interfering / metabolism*
  • Transcriptome
  • Up-Regulation

Substances

  • Insect Proteins
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Fatty Acid Synthases
  • Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases
  • Amidohydrolases
  • fatty-acid amide hydrolase