Tenebrio molitor Gram ‐negative‐binding protein 3 (TmGNBP3) is essential for inducing downstream antifungal Tenecin 1 gene expression against infection with Beauveria bassiana JEF‐007

In this study, we monitored the response of 5 key genes (TmGNBP3,TmMyD88, andTenecin 1,2, and3) in the Toll pathway of the mealwormTenebrio molitor immune system against the fungusBeauveria bassiana JEF ‐007 using RT‐PCR.TmGNBP3,Tenecin 1, andTenecin 2 were significantly upregulated after fungal infection. To better understand the roles of the Toll signaling pathway in the mealworm immune system,TmGNBP3 andTmMyD88 were knocked down by RNAi silencing. Target gene expression levels decreased at 2 d postknockdown and were dramatically reduced at 6 d post ‐dsRNA injection. Therefore, mealworms were compromised byB. bassiana JEF ‐007 at 6 d post‐dsRNA injection. Silencing ofTmMyD88 andTmGNBP3 resulted in reduced resistance of the host to fungal infection. Particularly, reducingTmGNBP3 levels obviously downregulatedTenecin 1 andTenecin 2 expression levels, whereas silencingTmMyD88 expression resulted in decreasedTenecin 2 expression. These results indicate thatTmGNBP3 is essential to induce downstream antifungal peptideTenecin 1 expression againstB. bassiana JEF ‐007.
Source: Insect Science - Category: Biology Authors: Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLE Source Type: research