Gene redundancy and gene compensation of insulin-like peptides in the oocyte development of bean beetle

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0302992
• Publication Date: 2024-05-07T17:32:19Z
• Authors: Yongqin Li; Zheng Fang; Leitao Tan; Qingshan Wu; Qiuping Liu; Yeying Wang; Qingbei Weng; Qianquan Chen
• Keywords: Coleoptera; Population Density; Insulin-Like Peptides; Science; Q; R; Oocytes; Medicine; Animals; Insect Proteins; Female; RNA Interference; Research Article

Bean beetle (Callosobruchus maculatus) exhibits clear phenotypic plasticity depending on population density; However, the underlying molecular mechanism remains unknown. Compared to low-density individuals, high-density individuals showed a faster terminal oocyte maturity rate. Four insulin-like peptide (ILP) genes were identified in bean beetle, which had higher expression levels head than thorax and abdomen. The density could regulate of CmILP1-3, CmILP2-3, CmILP1 as well CmILP3 head, thorax, abdomen, respectively. RNA interference results that each CmILP rate, indicating there was functional redundancy among CmILPs. Silencing lead down-regulation some other CmILPs, however, up-regulated abdomen after silencing or CmILP2. single gene silencing, with CmILP2 at same time led more serious retardation development, suggesting be functionally compensate for In conclusion, density-dependent rate regulated by exhibited compensation.