The Expression and Function of <i>Notch</i> Involved in Ovarian Development and Fecundity in <i>Basilepta melanopus</i>

oleh: Yifei Xie, Yifan Tan, Xuanye Wen, Wan Deng, Jinxiu Yu, Mi Li, Fanhui Meng, Xiudan Wang, Daohong Zhu

Format: Article
Diterbitkan: MDPI AG 2024-04-01

Deskripsi

<i>Basilepta melanopus</i> is a pest that severely affects oil tea plants, and the Notch signaling pathway plays a significant role in the early development of insect ovaries. In this study, we explored the function of the <i>notch</i> gene within the Notch signaling pathway in the reproductive system of <i>B. melanopus</i>. The functional domains and expression patterns of <i>Bmnotch</i> were analyzed. <i>Bmnotch</i> contains 45 epidermal growth factor-like (EGF-like) domains, one negative regulatory region, one NODP domain and one repeat-containing domain superfamily. The qPCR reveals heightened expression in early developmental stages and specific tissues like the head and ovaries. The RNA interference (RNAi)-based suppression of <i>notch</i> decreased its expression by 52.1%, exhibiting heightened sensitivity to ds<i>Notch</i> at lower concentrations. Phenotypic and mating experiments have demonstrated that ds<i>Notch</i> significantly impairs ovarian development, leading to reduced mating frequencies and egg production. This decline underscores the Notch pathway’s crucial role in fecundity. The findings advocate for RNAi-based, Notch-targeted pest control as an effective and sustainable strategy for managing <i>B. melanopus</i> populations, signifying a significant advancement in forest pest control endeavors.