Molecular Characterization and Phylogenetic Analysis of Flightin Gene in <i>Vespa basalis</i> (Hymenoptera, Vespidae)

oleh: Hasin Ullah, Xiaojuan Huang, Tong Zhou, Yan Tang, Danyang Zhu, Hongli Xu, Jiangli Tan

Format: Article
Diterbitkan: MDPI AG 2024-03-01

Deskripsi

Flight is a complex physiological process requiring precise coordination of muscular contraction. A key protein in insect flight is flightin, which plays an integral role in the flight muscles. This research sought to evaluate the flight competence of the social wasp <i>V. basalis</i> by characterizing the molecular components involved. Our study focused on <i>Vespa basalis</i>, one of the most dangerous hornet species, utilizing PCR to obtain a partial cDNA sequence of the flightin protein. We then employed phylogenetic and sequence analysis to gain insights into this protein in flight-related adaptations. The cDNA has an 1189-base pair sequence including an open reading frame (453 bp) encoding 150 amino acids. Analyzing the deduced amino acid sequence using an online tool revealed a molecular weight of 18.05 kDa, an isoelectric point of 5.84, four functional site patterns, and no transmembrane topology. We constructed a phylogenetic tree of flightin based on 38 species. Our analysis indicated that <i>V. basalis</i> is most closely related to <i>V. mandarinia</i>; this alignment is consistent with their similar aggressive behavior, but their evolutionary relationship, based on mitochondrial sequences, presents a contrast. These initial findings on the flightin gene in <i>V. basalis</i> lay the groundwork for future functional studies to elucidate its specific role in flight adaptations and explore its potential as a target for pest management strategies.