In Silico Characterization and Gene Expression Analysis of Toll Signaling Pathway-Related Genes in <i>Diaphorina citri</i>

The Asian citrus psyllid, <i>Diaphorina citri</i> is the main vector of citrus greening disease, also known as Huanglongbing (HLB). Currently, mitigating HLB depends on the control of <i>D. citri</i> using insecticides. To design innovative control strategies, we should inves...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Mahnaz Rashidi, Nabil Killiny
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2022-08-01
Series:Insects
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/13/9/783
Description
Summary:The Asian citrus psyllid, <i>Diaphorina citri</i> is the main vector of citrus greening disease, also known as Huanglongbing (HLB). Currently, mitigating HLB depends on the control of <i>D. citri</i> using insecticides. To design innovative control strategies, we should investigate various biological aspects of <i>D. citri</i> at the molecular level. Herein we explored the Toll signaling system-related proteins in <i>D. citri</i> using in silico analyzes. Additionally, the transcripts of the identified genes were determined in all life stages from eggs to adults. Our findings reveal that <i>D. citri</i> genome possesses Toll signaling pathway-related genes similar to the insect model, <i>Drosophila melanogaster</i>, with slight differences. These genes include <i>cact</i>, <i>TI</i>, <i>Myd88</i>, <i>Dif/DI</i>, <i>pll</i>, <i>tub</i>, and <i>spz</i> encoding Cactus, Toll, Myeloid differentiation factor 88, Dorsal related immunity factor/Dorsal, Pelle, Tube, and Spaetzle, respectively. Unlike <i>D. melanogaster</i>, in <i>D. citri</i> Dorsal, immunity factor and Dorsal are the same protein. In addition, in <i>D. citri</i>, Pelle protein possesses a kinase domain, which is absent in Pelle of <i>D. melanogaster.</i> Gene expression analysis showed the transcript for <i>cact</i>, <i>TI</i>, <i>Myd88</i>, <i>pll</i>, <i>tub</i>, and <i>spz</i> are maximum in adults, suggesting the immunity increases with maturity. Instead, <i>Dif/DI</i> transcripts were maximal in eggs and adults and minimal in nymphal stages, indicating its role in embryonic development. The overall findings will help in designing pioneering control strategies of <i>D. citri</i> based on repressing its immunity by RNAi or CRISPR and combining that with biological control.
ISSN:2075-4450