The Masc gene product controls masculinization in the black cutworm, Agrotis ipsilon

AbstractSex determination has been studied in the model lepidopteran speciesBombyx mori, but it remains poorly understood in lepidopteran pests. In the present study, we identified and characterized theMasculinizer (Masc) gene in a Noctuidae pest species,Agrotis ipsilon. Sequence analysis revealed thatAiMasc encodes a protein of 658 amino acids that has two CCCH ‐type zinc finger domains and two conserved cysteine residues (Cys‐277 and Cys‐280). We assessed the masculinizing activity ofAiMasc in BmN cells and found thatAiMasc induced expression of the male ‐specificdoublesex isoform. Disruption ofMasc via clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR ‐associated protein 9 (Cas9) inA. ipsilon caused abnormalities in abdominal segments and external genitalia, resulting in male ‐specific sterility. These results suggest thatMasc participates in the process of sex determination inA. ipsilon. Successful identification of sex ‐determination gene in a pest species may enable the development of novel genetic approaches for pest control.

Source: Insect Science - September 17, 2018 Category: Biology Authors: Yao ‐Hui Wang, Xi‐En Chen, Yang Yang, Jun Xu, Gang‐Qi Fang, Chang‐Ying Niu, Yong‐Ping Huang, Shuai Zhan Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLE Source Type: research