Expressional respones of hsp70 genes against abiotic and entomopathgenic stresses in four different noctuid larval species (Lepidoptera: Noctidae)

• Published in: Pesticide biochemistry and physiology 2024-09, Vol.204, p.106059, Article 106059
• Main Authors: Shi, Yu-Ting, Zhai, Zheng, Liu, Zi-Yao, Zhou, Le, Yang, Hua, Chen, Lin, Zhang, Yong-Sheng, Yu, Huan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Ascoviridae - genetics; Ascoviridae - metabolism; hsp70; HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins - genetics; HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins - metabolism; Insect Proteins - genetics; Insect Proteins - metabolism; Larva - genetics; Larva - metabolism; Moths - genetics; Mythimna separata; RNA interference; Spodoptera - genetics; Spodoptera exigua; Spodoptera frugiperda; Spodoptera litura; Stress, Physiological - genetics
• ISSN: 0048-3575; 1095-9939; 1095-9939
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pestbp.2024.106059

Heat shock proteins (Hsps) are stress response proteins. In a previous study, host larval Hsp70s were identified as the structural proteins of virions of Heliothis virescens ascovirus 3h (HvAV-3h), an insect virus that mainly infects noctuid larvae. To investigate the response of hsp70s of healthy Mythimna separata, Spodoptera exigua, Spodoptera frugiperda, and Spodoptera litura larvae to various abiotic or entomopathogenic stresses, quantitative PCR was used to detect larval hsp70s expression patterns. Results showed distinct expression patterns of hsp70s in response to different abiotic stresses. Notably, Mshsp70 expression pattern resembled Slhsp70 under most treatments. In healthy larvae, no tissue tropism was observed concerning the relative expression of Mshsp70, Sfhsp70, and Slhsp70. After infection with HvAV-3h, the expression of hsp70s in all dissected tissues of all tested larval species increased. Significant differences were found in the fat bodies of M. separata, S. exigua, and S. litura as well as in the hemolymph of S. exigua and S. litura. Subsequent silencing of Slhsp70, resulted in a significant decrease in DNA replication levels of HvAV-3h in S. litura larvae at 24 and 72 h post RNA interference, indicating that Slhsp70 is necessary for DNA replication in HvAV-3h. These data can provide references for the studying on the stress response of noctuid larvae to different environmental factors. Graphical abstract [Display omitted] •Four noctuid larval hsp70 showed different expression pattern against abiotic stress.•No tissue tropism of hsp70 in the healthy larvae.•Hsp70 were accumulated in fat bodies or hemolymph after the infection of HvAV-3 h.•After the silence of hsp70, the DNA replication of HvAV-3 h decreased.