Regulatory network in heat stress response in parasitoid wasp focusing on Xap5 heat stress regulator
Shijiao Xiong,
Kaili Yu,
Haiwei Lin,
Xinhai Ye,
Shan Xiao,
Yi Yang,
David W. Stanley,
Qisheng Song,
Qi Fang,
Gongyin Ye
Affiliations
Shijiao Xiong
State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding & Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
Kaili Yu
State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding & Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
Haiwei Lin
State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding & Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
Xinhai Ye
State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding & Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
Shan Xiao
State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding & Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
Yi Yang
State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding & Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
David W. Stanley
USDA/ARS Biological Control of Insects Research Laboratory, 1503 S. Providence Road, Columbia MO, USA
Qisheng Song
Division of Plant Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
Qi Fang
State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding & Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; Corresponding author
Gongyin Ye
State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding & Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
Summary: Insects are susceptible to elevated temperatures, resulting in impaired fertility, and shortened lifespan. This study investigated the genetic mechanisms underlying heat stress effects. We conducted RNA sequencing on Pteromalus puparum exposed to 25°C and 35°C, revealing transcriptional signatures. Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis uncovered heat stress-associated modules, forming a regulatory network of 113 genes. The network is naturally divided into two subgroups, one linked to acute heat stress, including heat shock proteins (HSPs), and the other to chronic heat stress, involving lipogenesis genes. We identified an Xap5 Heat Shock Regulator (XHSR) gene as a crucial network component, validated through RNA interference and quantitative PCR assays. XHSR knockdown reduced wasps’ lifespan while directly inducing HSPs and mediating lipogenesis gene induction. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of the Drosophila XHSR homolog reduced mutants’ survival, highlighting its conserved role. This research sheds light on thermal tolerance mechanisms, offering potential applications in pest control amid global warming.
