Abstract:
Objective Molecular information associated with the oviposition and reproduction of Tessaratoma papillosa was studied for control of the pest on lychee trees.
Method Transcriptome sequencing of T. papillosa in various tissues and developmental stages was conducted. The vitellogenin and vitellogenin receptor genes were obtained by screening the transcriptome database and applying molecular cloning methods. Temporal and spatial expressions of the genes were analyzed using qRT-PCR.
Result Three vitellogenin genes (i.e., T. papi_Vg1, Vg2, and Vg3) and one receptor gene, T. papi_VgRs, were obtained after screening. Homologous analysis showed the genes contained conserved domains typical in the Vg and VgRs of insects. The molecular evolution of Vg and VgRs of T. papillosa paralleled that of the species. The temporal and spatial expressions of Vg1 shown by qRT-PCR were relatively high in all female tissues, but only the lymphatic fluid in adult males, whereas those of Vg2 and Vg3 highly expressed only in female adipose tissue. The expression of VgRs, as well as Vg, was highest in female ovary, followed by female, male lymph fluid, nymph adipose tissue, and minute in nymph antenna, male antenna, and male testis.
Conclusion The structures and evolution of the 3 vitellogenin genes and one vitellogenin receptor gene were analyzed. The information on the spatiotemporal expressions of the genes would aid target selection in study for the control ofT. papillosa.