Molecular characterization of vitellogenin and its receptor genes from citrus red mite, Panonychus citri (McGregor).
The production and uptake of yolk protein play an important role in the reproduction of all oviparous organisms. Vitellogenin (Vg) is the precursor of vitellin (Vn), which is the major egg storage protein, and vitellogenin receptor (VgR) is a necessary protein for the uptake of Vg into developing oocytes. In this paper, we characterize the full-length Vg and VgR, PcVg1 and PcVgR, respectively, of the citrus red mite Panonychus citri (McGregor). The PcVg1 cDNA is 5748 nucleotides (nt) with a 5553-nt open reading frame (ORF) coding for 1851 amino acids (aa), and the PcVgR is 6090 nt, containing an intact ORF of 5673 nt coding an expected protein of 1891 aa. The PcVg1 aa sequence shows a typical GLCG domain and several K/RXXR cleavage sites, and PcVgR comprises two ligand-binding domains, two epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like regions containing YWTD motifs, a transmembrane domain, and a cytoplasmic domain. An analysis of the aa sequences and phylogenetics implied that both genes were genetically distinct from those of ticks and insects. The transcriptional profiles determined by real-time quantitative PCR in different developmental stages showed that both genes present the same expressional tendencies in eggs, larvae, nymphs, and adults. This suggested that the biosynthesis and uptake of PcVg occurs coordinately. The strong reproductive capacity of P. citri has been hypothesized as an important factor in its resistance; consequently, understanding the molecular mechanisms regulating Vg and VgR are fundamental for mite control.
Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China. zhongrui19890326@gmail.com.
Rui
R
Zhong
Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China. tianboding@gmail.com.
Tian-Bo
TB
Ding
Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China. jinzhi.niu@ugent.be.
Jin-Zhi
JZ
Niu
Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China. wenkaixia0409@gmail.com.
Wen-Kai
WK
Xia
Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China. leochongyu@gmail.com.
Chong-Yu
CY
Liao
Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China. anwdou@gmail.com.
Wei
W
Dou
Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China. wangjinjun@swu.edu.cn.
Jin-Jun
JJ
Wang
D020816:Amino Acid Motifs; D000818:Animals; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D004527:Egg Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D007814:Larva / Q000235:genetics; D010802:Phylogeny; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D040102:Tetranychidae / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D014819:Vitellogenins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D018076:DNA, Complementary; D004527:Egg Proteins; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D014819:Vitellogenins; C030474:vitellogenin receptor