Transcriptomic Profiling of Bean Aphid Megoura crassicauda upon Exposure to the Aphid-Obligate Entomopathogen Conidiobolus obscurus (Entomophthoromycotina) and Screening of CytCo-Binding Aphid Proteins through a Pull-Down Assay

Bibliographic Details
Title: Transcriptomic Profiling of Bean Aphid Megoura crassicauda upon Exposure to the Aphid-Obligate Entomopathogen Conidiobolus obscurus (Entomophthoromycotina) and Screening of CytCo-Binding Aphid Proteins through a Pull-Down Assay
Authors: Jiaqin Zhu, Yaqi Fu, Lvhao Zhang, Tian Yang, Xiang Zhou
Source: Insects, Vol 15, Iss 6, p 388 (2024)
Publisher Information: MDPI AG, 2024.
Publication Year: 2024
Collection: LCC:Science
Subject Terms: His-tag pull down assay, LC-MS/MS, pore-forming toxin, calcium imbalance, insect immunity, Science
More Details: Prolonged periods of host-lethal infection by entomopathogenic fungi pose challenges to the development of biological control agents. The obligate entomopathogen C. obscurus, however, rapidly kills aphid hosts, warranting investigation. This study investigated the interaction between C. obscurus and a bean aphid Megoura crassicauda during the incubation period of infection, using transcriptome analysis to map host gene expression profiles. Results indicate C. obscurus-inoculated aphid activation of the wound healing immune responses, alongside suppression of the key molecules involved in Toll signaling, melanization, and metabolism. Furthermore, neuromotor system-related genes were upregulated, paralleling the intoxication observed in a nematode pest treated with C. obscurus-derived CytCo protein. To deepen interaction insights, a His-tag pull-down assay coupled with mass spectrometry analysis was conducted using CytCo as a bait to screen for potential aphid protein interactors. The proteins were identified based on the assembled transcriptome, and eleven transmembrane proteins were predicted to bind to CytCo. Notably, a protein of putatively calcium-transporting ATPase stood out with the highest confidence. This suggests that CytCo plays a vital role in C. obscurus killing aphid hosts, implicating calcium imbalance. In conclusion, C. obscurus effectively inhibits aphid immunity and exhibits neurotoxic potential, expediting the infection process. This finding facilitates our understanding of the complex host–pathogen interactions and opens new avenues for exploring biological pest management strategies in agroforestry.
Document Type: article
File Description: electronic resource
Language: English
ISSN: 2075-4450
Relation: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/15/6/388; https://doaj.org/toc/2075-4450
DOI: 10.3390/insects15060388
Access URL: https://doaj.org/article/0158903d1752490eb8e077d120130faa
Accession Number: edsdoj.0158903d1752490eb8e077d120130faa
Database: Directory of Open Access Journals
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More Details
ISSN:20754450
DOI:10.3390/insects15060388
Published in:Insects
Language:English