LAUSR

BACKGROUND The insulin signaling pathway is closely related to metabolism, growth, reproductive capacity, and lifespan of insects. However, the physiological function of the insulin signaling pathway is little known in Hyphantria cunea. RESULTS Five insulin signaling pathway genes (HcInR, HcPI3K, HcAKT, HcFOXO and HcTOR) in H. cunea were identified and characterized in this study. The spatiotemporal expression profiles of five genes showed that HcInR, HcAKT, HcPI3K and HcTOR genes were higher in egg stage than those in other development stages while HcFOXO was highly expressed in the adult stage and all these genes were highly expressed in the larval digestive system, especially in the midgut and hindgut. After RNA interference (RNAi) of five genes in 5th instar H. cunea larvae, the weight gain and survival rate (except in the siHcAKT-injected group) were significantly decreased, and the developmental duration of larval and pupal stage were prolonged. In addition, knockdown of five genes in 7th instar larvae decreased the pupation rate, survival rate and oviposition capacity, and resulted in abnormal development during larval-pupal transition. CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that the insulin signaling pathway play essential roles in growth and development and the molting process in H. cunea, providing important basis for developing new potentially molecular targets for RNAi-based pest control and understanding the mechanism of H. cunea outbreak. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.