title: Functional screen for microRNAs of Nilaparvata lugens reveals that targeting of glutamine synthase by miR-4868b regulates fecundity.
abstract: Insect fecundity is regulated by the interaction of genotypes and the environment. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) also act in insect development and reproduction by regulating genes involved in these physiological processes. Although hundreds of insect miRNAs have been identified, the biological roles of most remain poorly understood. Here, we used a multi-algorithm approach for miRNA target prediction in 3'UTRs of fecundity-related genes in the brown planthopper (BPH) Nilaparvata lugens and identified 38 putative miRNAs targeting 9 fecundity-related genes. High-ranked miRNAs were selected for target validation. Using a dual luciferase reporter assay in S2 cells, we experimentally verified N. lugens glutamine synthetase (NlGS) as an authentic target of microRNA-4868b (miR-4868b). In the females, NlGS protein expression was down-regulated after injection of a miR-4868b mimic but up-regulated after injection of a miR-4868b inhibitor. In addition, overexpression of miR-4868b reduced fecundity, and disrupted ovary development and Vg expression in N. lugens. These findings showed that miR-4868b is involved in regulating N. lugens fecundity by targeting NlGS. Moreover, this study may lead to better understanding of the fecundity of this important agricultural insect pest.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol and School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China.
authors.forename: Xian
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Fu
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol and School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China.
authors.forename: Tengchao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol and School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China.
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol and School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China.
authors.forename: Yi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol and School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China.
authors.forename: Jieqi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Qiu
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol and School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China.
authors.forename: Kui
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol and School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China. Electronic address: lsszwq@mail.sysu.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Wenqing
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000235:genetics*; D005974:Glutamate-Ammonia Ligase / Q000378:metabolism*; D006430:Hemiptera / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics*; D010053:Ovary / Q000254:growth & development; D040901:Proteomics; D014819:Vitellogenins / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D035683:MicroRNAs; D014819:Vitellogenins; D005974:Glutamate-Ammonia Ligase
keywords: Fecundity; Glutamine synthetase; Nilaparvata lugens; microRNA-4868b