Functional Analysis of Genes Encoding Juvenile Hormone Receptor <i>Met</i> and Transcription Factor <i>Kr-h1</i> in the Reproductive Capacity of <i>Coccinella septempunctata</i> Males
This study focuses on the regulatory effects of genes encoding the juvenile hormone (JH) receptor methoprene-tolerant (<i>Met</i>) and transcription factor krüppel homolog 1 (<i>Kr-h1</i>) on the reproductive capacity of <i>Coccinella septempunctata</i> male adult...
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| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Insects |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/16/1/49 |
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| Summary: | This study focuses on the regulatory effects of genes encoding the juvenile hormone (JH) receptor methoprene-tolerant (<i>Met</i>) and transcription factor krüppel homolog 1 (<i>Kr-h1</i>) on the reproductive capacity of <i>Coccinella septempunctata</i> male adults. <i>Met</i> and <i>Kr-h1</i> expression levels were analyzed in males fed on artificial diets with and without JH by quantitative real-time PCR, and the effects of <i>Met</i> and <i>Kr-h1</i> on male reproduction were analyzed by RNA interference technology. <i>Met</i> transcription levels in 5- and 10-day-old males fed with a JH-supplemented diet were lower than those without JH. <i>Kr-h1</i> expression in 5-day-old adult males was lower in diets lacking JH but was higher in 10-day-old males fed on a diet lacking JH. There were no significant differences in the testes sizes of male ladybugs injected with <i>Met</i>-dsRNA when compared to <i>GFP</i>-dsRNA; however, the testis volume of ladybugs injected with <i>Kr-h1</i>-dsRNA was smaller than those injected with <i>GFP</i>-dsRNA. After males were injected with <i>Met</i>-dsRNA and <i>Kr-h1</i>-dsRNA, the mean egg production by females decreased by 12.75% and 23.10%, respectively, at 20 d postinjection. Our results show that <i>Met</i> and <i>Kr-h1</i> have important roles in regulating reproduction by directly affecting testes development in males and egg production in females. |
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| ISSN: | 2075-4450 |