Silencing of catalase reduces unfavorable low‐temperature tolerance capacity in whiteflies

作者：Jie Ning, Peng Liang, Xiaojie Wu, Wenlu Wang, Qingjun Wu, Shaoli Wang, Xin Yang, Youjun Zhang, Wen Xie · 发表于：Pest Management Science · 年份：2024 · DOI：10.1002/ps.8016 · 被引用次数：5 · 研究领域：Insect-Plant Interactions and Control、Physiological and biochemical adaptations、Insect Pest Control Strategies

BACKGROUND: Temperature is a primary factor that determines the eco-geographical distribution and population development of invasive insects. Temperature stress leads to various negative effects, including excess reactive oxygen species (ROS), and catalase (CAT) is a key enzyme against ROS in the antioxidant pathway. The whitefly Bemisia tabaci MED is a typical invasive pest that causes damage worldwide. Our previous studies have shown that CAT promotes whitefly adaptation to high temperature by eliminating ROS. However, the mechanism underlying the low-temperature adaptation of whiteflies is still unknown. RESULTS: In this study, we investigated the role of CAT in the low-temperature tolerance of B. tabaci MED by analyzing its survival rate, reproduction, and ROS levels at 25 °C (as a control, suitable temperature), 20 °C (moderately decreased temperature), and 4 °C (severely decreased temperature). Silencing of BtCAT1, BtCAT2, or BtCAT3 reduced the viability of whiteflies under a short-term severely decreased temperature (4 °C), which manifested as decreases in survival and fecundity accompanied by significant increases in ROS levels. Moreover, even at a moderately decreased temperature (20 °C), silencing of BtCAT1 led to high ROS levels and low survival rates in adults. CONCLUSION: Silencing of BtCATs significantly increased the sensitivity of B. tabaci MED to low temperatures. BtCAT1 is likely more essential than other BtCATs for low-temperature tolerance in whiteflies. ©...