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Journal of Integrative Agriculture  2025, Vol. 24 Issue (4): 1529-1541    DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2024.08.005
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Identification of a TOR signaling pathway gene as a candidate target for reproductive management of Adelphocoris suturalis

Wanying Zheng1*, Panyang Jiao1, Xiaona Xu1, Weihua Ma1, J. Joe Hull2, Hongxia Hua1, Lizhen Chen1#

1 College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China

2 Pest Management and Biocontrol Research Unit, US Arid Land Agricultural Research Center, USDA Agricultural Research Services, Maricopa, AZ 85138, USA

 Highlights 
● The target of rapamycin (TOR) signaling pathway plays a crucial role in Adelphocoris suturalis reproductive regulation.
● RNAi-mediated knockdown of TOR-related genes of A. suturalis reduces its fertility.
● A spray-induced and nanocarrier-delivered gene silencing (SI-NDGS) system targeting TOR successfully suppresses ovarian development in A. suturalis.  
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摘要  

中黑盲蝽Adelphocoris suturalis是一种重要的杂食性农业害虫。由于转Bt抗虫棉花商业化种植以及Bt棉田化学杀虫剂使用的减少,中黑盲蝽作为次要害虫发生日益加重。因此,研究新的可持续防控中黑盲蝽的有效方法迫在眉睫。本研究通过注射雷帕霉素靶蛋白(TOR)信号通路抑制剂,发现TOR信号通路在中黑盲蝽的生殖调控中起着关键作用。基因沉默(RNAi)在病虫害防控中具有较大的应用潜力。本研究进一步通过基因克隆、RNAi、实时荧光定量PCR(qPCR)等技术发现,分别沉默TOR信号通路基因TOR、脑Ras同源蛋白(Rheb)和S6蛋白激酶(S6K)能够显著降低该虫的繁殖力。此外,将TOR基因的双链RNA(dsRNA)通过纳米递送系统处理中黑盲蝽成功抑制了该虫的卵巢发育。这些结果为了解中黑盲蝽的生殖调控奠定了理论基础,并为了高效防控中黑盲蝽提供了新的思路与RNAi靶标。



Abstract  

Adelphocoris suturalis is a polyphagous pest that is increasingly causing severe economic damage due to more frequent outbreaks.  The development of non-target resistance to commercial Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) cotton has further exacerbated its pest status and amplified the need for more sustainable methods of control.  RNA interference (RNAi)-based pest management strategies, such as root soaking and transgenic plants that express dsRNAs, have proven to be reliable, eco-friendly pest control strategies.  To identify new RNAi targets for potential A. suturalis population control, we investigated the target of rapamycin (TOR) signaling pathway.  A critical role for this pathway in A. suturalis reproductive regulation was suggested by pharmacological analyses.  Subsequent RNAi-mediated knockdown of the A. suturalis TOR pathway genes TOR, Ras homolog enriched in the brain (Rheb), and ribosomal S6 kinase (S6K) reduced fertility.  Moreover, a spray-induced and nanocarrier-delivered gene silencing (SI-NDGS) system targeting TOR successfully suppressed ovarian development, which demonstrates its effectiveness as a pest control target.  These results provide a critical foundation for understanding reproductive regulation in A. suturalis and introduce new candidates for RNAi-based A. suturalis management.


Keywords:  Adelphocoris suturalis       target of rapamycin (TOR) signaling        reproductive regulation        RNAi targets        nanocarrier-mediated RNAi  
Received: 18 January 2024   Accepted: 09 May 2024
Fund: 
This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (32072428).
About author:  Wanying Zheng, E-mail: zwykk@webmail.hzau.edu.cn; Panyang Jiao, E-mail: 1653553450@qq.com; #Correspondence Lizhen Chen, E-mail: lzchen@mail.hzau.edu.cn * These authors contributed equally to this study.

Cite this article: 

Wanying Zheng, Panyang Jiao, Xiaona Xu, Weihua Ma, J. Joe Hull, Hongxia Hua, Lizhen Chen. 2025. Identification of a TOR signaling pathway gene as a candidate target for reproductive management of Adelphocoris suturalis. Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 24(4): 1529-1541.

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