Potential role of the TuCCE50 gene in abamectin resistance in field populations of Tetranychus urticae Koch.

The two-spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) has developed resistance to various pesticides at different levels. While target-site resistance mechanisms are recognized, metabolic resistance plays a crucial role in this development. In this study, a carboxyl/choline esterase gene, TuCCE50, was found to be significantly overexpressed in all tested field populations of T.

The ROS-FOXO pathway mediates broad-spectrum detoxification of acaricides in Tetranychus cinnabarinus.

Arthropods have evolved advanced metabolic detoxification pathways that have helped them adapt to complex stresses induced by plant secondary metabolites and synthetic pesticides. Nonetheless, how xenobiotics induce the suite of intracellular metabolic changes important for detoxification in arthropods remains unexplored. In this study, we found that the ancient oxidative stress signaling pathway has adapted to transmit the detoxification signal in T.

The biosynthesis and diversity of taxanes: From pathway elucidation to engineering and synthetic biology.

Taxanes are diterpenoid natural products found in yew trees (Taxus spp.) and include three anticancer agents: paclitaxel, docetaxel, and cabazitaxel. Despite nearly 500 reported taxane compounds, only the biosynthetic pathway of the type I taxane skeleton leading to paclitaxel is close to being fully elucidated.

Transformer is involved in female sex determination in Bemisia tabaci.

Sex determination is one of the fundamental questions in developmental and evolutionary biology. While the upstream regulatory mechanisms governing somatic sex determination in insects are highly divergent, the downstream transformer (tra) + transformer2 (tra2) → doublesex (dsx) pathway is relatively conserved. In the sweet potato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci, a global invasive pest, tra2 and dsx have been previously characterised, revealing their critical role in male genitalia formation.

The plant-derived Bt11S gene in whitefly: a key player in reproduction and RNAi-based pest management.

Background: Horizontal gene transfer (HGT), an understudied evolutionary phenomenon, influences host adaptation and reproduction in insects while providing novel targets for pest control. The whitefly Bemisia tabaci Mediterranean (MED) is a globally invasive pest known for its rapid reproduction and adaptability, which make it an ideal model for investigating HGT functions. In this study, we explored the role of the plant-derived Bt11S (11S globulin seed storage protein) in B.

High flavonoid-producing tomato reduces whitefly phloem-feeding efficiency by inducing reactive oxygen species accumulation and callose deposition.

The whitefly (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) is economically one of the most threatening pests in tomato cultivation, which not only causes direct damage but also transmits many viruses. Breeding whitefly-resistant tomato varieties is a promising and environmentally friendly method to control whitefly populations in the field. Accumulating evidence from tomato and other model systems demonstrates that flavonoids contribute to plant resistance to herbivorous insects.

mA-Mediated Regulation of Contributes to Imidacloprid Resistance in .

N-methyladenosine (mA) is the most prevalent and evolutionarily conserved internal RNA modification; however, its role in insect biology and insecticide resistance remains largely unexplored. Here, we investigate the involvement of mA methylation in imidacloprid resistance in the whitefly . Our results identify five core mA methyltransferases linked to imidacloprid resistance.

Towards establishing functional nitrogenase activities within plants.

Biological nitrogen fixation, catalyzed by nitrogenase, can convert atmospheric N₂ into NH₃ for plant growth. Legumes form symbioses with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, but non-legumes rely on excessive nitrogen fertilizers. Efforts to engineer nitrogenase in non-legumes face major challenges, including oxygen sensitivity, metal cluster assembly complexity, and high energy demands.

Reclamation of available phosphorus and separation of heavy metals from sewage sludge via FeCl-assisted electrokinetic treatment and pyrolysis.

Recycling of sewage sludge and the endogenous phosphorus (P) is a promising strategy for sustainable development, while the disposal of heavy metals (HMs) in sewage sludge and the recovery of targeted P species remain challenges. An innovative method coupling electrokinetic treatment with pyrolysis was proposed in the present study to achieve the effective reclamation of available P and the separation of HMs from sewage sludge. The pristine and FeCl-assisted electrokinetic treatment were employed for the removal of HMs from sewage sludge and to modify the P species, and the subsequent pyrolysis (300-700 °C) was conducted for the recovery of available P along with the production of biochar.

Systems and synthetic biology for plant natural product pathway elucidation.

Plants are one of the major reservoirs of medicinal compounds, serving as a cornerstone of both traditional and modern medicine. However, despite their importance, the complex biosynthetic pathways of many plant-derived compounds remain only partially understood, hindering their full potential in therapeutic applications. This review paper summarizes the advances in systems and synthetic biology utilized in the characterization and engineering of plant metabolic pathways.

Transcriptome analysis of insecticide resistance mechanisms in field populations of the bean flower thrips, Megalurothrips usitatus (Bagnall).

The bean flower thrips, Megalurothrips usitatus (Bagnall), has caused significant damage to leguminous crops in the Asian tropics and established populations in North America. Ineffective pest control has been reported in multiple regions, raising concerns about food safety risks due to improper insecticide use. To evaluate insecticide susceptibility and the role of detoxification enzyme involvement, resistance monitoring and enzyme activity assays were conducted.

Reverse engineering high-level resistance to Bt Cry1Ac toxin in Plutella xylostella reveals a hormonal regulatory feedback pathway.

Decoding the molecular mechanisms of insect resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxins is crucial for the sustainable utilization of Bt-based bioinsecticides and transgenic crops. Our previous studies showed that a hormone-responsive transcription factor FOXO binds to an inserted short interspersed nuclear element (SINE, named SE2), causing MAP4K4 overexpression and resistance to Bt Cry1Ac toxin in Plutella xylostella. Furthermore, titers of two upstream signaling hormones (20-hydroxyecdysone and juvenile hormone) were also found to be elevated in the resistant strain, but it was unclear whether this was due to natural variation or a feedback pathway.

RNAi effect in target and non-target pests correlates with the length of continuous matches in dsRNA sequences.

RNA interference (RNAi) has emerged as a promising and environmentally friendly approach for controlling the pest Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata (Hvig). Identifying lethal target genes in Hvig and evaluating the efficacy of oral dsRNA administration are crucial steps in this process. Additionally, assessing the potential risks of RNAi to non-target organisms (NTOs) is essential to ensure environmental safety.

Insights from natural rubber biosynthesis evolution for pathway engineering.

Natural rubber (NR), valued for its elasticity and impact resistance, is essential for numerous industrial and medical applications, with global demand continuously rising. While approximately 2500 plant species from more than 40 families can produce rubber, the majority is sourced from Hevea brasiliensis grown in tropical regions. Alternative rubber-producing plants, such as Parthenium argentatum and Taraxacum kok-saghyz, offer enhanced environmental adaptability and species diversity, making them promising candidates for rubber production.

Two carboxyl/choline esterase (CCE) genes, TuCCE11 and TuCCE34, are related to abamectin resistance in Tetranychus urticae Koch.

Tetranychus urticae is a widespread agricultural pest that exhibits highly intractable resistance to multiple acaricides, particularly abamectin. The rapid and complex evolution of insecticide resistance, along with the molecular mechanisms of abamectin resistance in T. urticae, are not fully elucidated, representing a significant impediment to the effective management of pest resistance.

The role of GPI-anchored membrane-bound alkaline phosphatase in the mode of action of Bt Cry1A toxins in the diamondback moth.

The insecticidal Cry proteins produced by the bacterium (Bt) are extensively used for pest control in formulated sprays and in genetically modified crops, but resistance to Bt toxins threatens their sustainable use in agriculture. Understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in Bt pathogenesis is crucial for the development of effective resistance management strategies. Previously, we showed a strong correlation between Cry1Ac resistance in (L.

RNAi assay in the 28-spotted ladybeetle Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata suggests nuclear receptor HR3 as a potential molecular target for pest control.

Background: Nuclear hormone receptors play crucial roles in embryonic development, neural regulation, metabolism, and organogenesis in insects. This study aimed to investigate the expression and function of the nuclear hormone receptor 3 (HR3) in the 28-spotted ladybeetle, Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata.

Results: Our findings revealed that HvHR3 was expressed at all developmental stages, with the highest expression levels in the 1st instar larvae, 3rd instar larvae, and pupa.

The homeostasis of β-alanine is key for Arabidopsis reproductive growth and development.

β-Alanine, an abundant non-proteinogenic amino acid, acts as a precursor for coenzyme A and plays a role in various stress responses. However, a comprehensive understanding of its metabolism in plants remains incomplete. Previous metabolic genome-wide association studies (mGWAS) identified ALANINE:GLYOXYLATE AMINOTRANSFERASE2 (AGT2, AT4G39660) linked to β-alanine levels in Arabidopsis under normal conditions.

Silencing of LIM homeodomain transcription factor 1 alpha (Lmx1a) gene caused larval molting failure and adult reproductive deficiency in Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata.

LIM-HD (homeodomain) protein is essential for the specific differentiation of various cells and tissues due to its conserved HD. Within the LIM subclass, the LIM-HD transcription factor 1 alpha (Lmx1a) remains poorly characterized in insects. This study investigates the expression patterns of HvLmx1a in the 28-spotted lady beetle, Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata, at both developmental stage and tissue levels.

HvStaufenC contributes to the high RNAi efficiency in the 28-spotted ladybeetle, Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata.

RNA interference (RNAi) has been shown to be relatively effective in coleopteran insects, with limited exploration into the molecular mechanisms that underlie this effectiveness. This study specifically examines the 28-spotted ladybeetle, Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata (Hvig), known for its high RNAi efficiency. Here, we utilized RNAi and CRISPR/Cas9 techniques to identify and validate the genes involved in the RNAi pathway that enhance RNAi efficacy in Hvig.

Flavonoids enhance tomato plant resistance to whitefly by interfering with the expression of a salivary effector.

Plants can deploy chemical defenses that poison herbivorous insects or deter their feeding; however, insects can counter by secreting effector proteins that modulate these defense responses. In principle, plants might therefore interfere with the expression of insect effector proteins, but knowledge about such a process remains limited. Here, we explored the mechanisms underlying how resistant tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) influences the effector proteins of whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci), thereby affecting the interaction of B.

Engineering nitrogen and carbon fixation for next-generation plants.

Improving plant nitrogen (N) and carbon (C) acquisition and assimilation is a major challenge for global agriculture, food security, and ecological sustainability. Emerging synthetic biology techniques, including directed evolution, artificial intelligence (AI)-guided enzyme design, and metabolic engineering, have opened new avenues for optimizing nitrogenase to fix atmospheric N in plants, engineering Rhizobia or other nitrogen-fixing bacteria for symbiotic associations with both legume and nonlegume crops, and enhancing carbon fixation to improve photosynthetic efficiency and source-to-sink assimilate fluxes. Here, we discuss the potential for engineering nitrogen fixation and carbon fixation mechanisms in plants, from rational and AI-driven optimization of nitrogen and carbon fixation cycles.

A plant virus manipulates both its host plant and the insect that facilitates its transmission.

Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV), a devastating pathogen of tomato crops, is vectored by the whitefly , yet the mechanisms underlying TYLVC epidemics are poorly understood. We found that TYLCV triggers the up-regulation of two β-myrcene biosynthesis genes in tomato, leading to the attraction of nonviruliferous . We also identified BtMEDOR6 as a key whitefly olfactory receptor of β-myrcene involved in the distinct preference of MED for TYLCV-infected plants.

Functional Divergence of Plant-Derived Thaumatin-Like Protein Genes in Two Closely Related Whitefly Species.

The recent discovery that various insects have acquired functional genes through horizontal gene transfer (HGT) has prompted numerous studies into this puzzling and fascinating phenomenon. So far, horizontally transferred genes are found to be functionally conserved and largely retained their ancestral functions. It evidently has not yet been considered that horizontally transferred genes may evolve and can contribute to divergence between species.

The UDP-glycosyltransferase UGT352A3 contributes to the detoxification of thiamethoxam and imidacloprid in resistant whitefly.

Uridine diphosphate (UDP)-glycosyltransferases are essential phase-II detoxification enzymes that glycosylate lipophilic endogenous and xenobiotic compounds and they are thought to play a role in driving the evolution of insecticide resistance. To examine if the resistance to thiamethoxam and imidacloprid was associated with enhancement of UDP-glycosyltransferase in the whitefly, Bemisia tabaci, we first conducted UDP enzyme activity assays in resistant and sensitive strains in the absence and presence of UGT inhibitors. We found that the UGT enzyme content of resistant whitefly was significantly 5.