Identification and Functional Speculation of Genes Related to Sex Pheromone Synthesis Expressed in the Gonads of Female Gynaephora qinghaiensis (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae)

Abstract

Background: Grassland desertification has garnered significant attention as a pressing issue. Among the key pests affecting plateau meadows, the Gynaephora qinghaiensis (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) poses a substantial threat in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau region, highlighting the urgent need for effective, environmentally friendly control strategies. Insect sex pheromones are increasingly employed in pest monitoring and management. Methods: This study aims to identify and analyze genes associated with sex pheromone synthesis in grassland caterpillars through transcriptome sequencing and tissue-specific expression analysis. Results: A total of 139,599 transcripts and 56,403 Unigenes were obtained from the sex pheromone glands transcriptome database. A total of 31 genes related to sex pheromone synthesis were identified, including 1 ACC, 8 DES, 6 AR, 7 FAR, 5 FAS, and 4 ACT genes. The expression levels of these genes varied significantly across different tissues in both male and female caterpillars (p < 0.05). GqinACC1, GqinDES1, GqinDES4, GqinDES8, GqinAR3, GqinFAR6, GqinACT2, and GqinACT3 exhibited significantly higher expression levels in the female gonads compared to other tissues (p < 0.01). Conclusions: We hypothesize that specific genes play specific roles in the pheromone synthesis pathways of pests, Key genes were identified based on expression patterns for subsequent functional studies. The results of this study offer valuable data support for subsequent investigations into the mechanisms underlying sex pheromone synthesis in G. qinghaiensis. Additionally, these findings may identify potential targets for future research on genes associated with pheromone biosynthesis, which could disrupt their chemical communication and contribute to grassland conservation efforts