Deletion mutant of PGE2 receptor using CRISPR-Cas9 exhibits larval imunosuppression and adult infertility in a lepidopteran insect, Spodoptera exigua

Authors: KIM, YONGGYUN - Andong National University; AHMEN, SHABBIR - Andong National University; AL BAKI, MD ABDULLAH - Andong National University; KUMAR, SUNIL - Andong National University; KIM, KUNWOO - Andong National University; PARK, YONGJIN - Andong National University; Stanley, David

Submitted to: Developmental and Comparative Immunology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/8/2020
Publication Date: 5/25/2020
Citation: Kim, Y., Ahmen, S., Al Baki, M., Kumar, S., Kim, K., Park, Y., Stanley, D.W. 2020. Deletion mutant of PGE2 receptor using CRISPR-Cas9 exhibits larval imunosuppression and adult infertility in a lepidopteran insect, Spodoptera exigua. Developmental and Comparative Immunology. 111(10). Article 103743. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dci.2020.103743.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dci.2020.103743

Interpretive Summary: Application of classical insecticides has introduced severe problems in agricultural sustainability. The concept of biological control of insects is a potentially powerful alternative to classical insecticides. Biological control is based on the idea that direct application of insect-specific pathogens and parasites can reduce pest insect populations and the economic damage due to pest insects. The problem, however, is the efficiency of these organisms in biological control programs is limited by insect immune defense reactions to challenge. One approach to improving the efficiency of biocontrol agents would be to somehow disable insect immune reactions to viral, bacterial, fungal and parasitic infections. With this goal, we are investigating how insect immune reactions to infection are signaled. In this paper we report on identification of biological signals that are responsible for stimulating insect defenses to infection. This new research will be directly useful to scientists who are working to improve the efficacy of biological control methods. The ensuing improved biological control methods will benefit a wide range of agricultural producers by supporting the long-term sustainability of agriculture.

Technical Abstract: Application of classical insecticides has introduced severe problems in agricultural sustainability. The concept of biological control of insects is a potentially powerful alternative to classical insecticides. Biological control is based on the idea that direct application of insect-specific pathogens and parasites can reduce pest insect populations and their associated economic damage. The problem, however, is the efficiency of these organisms in biological control programs is limited by insect immune defense reactions to infections. One approach to improving the efficiency of biocontrol agents would be to somehow disable insect immune reactions to viral, bacterial, fungal and parasitic infections. With this goal, we are investigating how insect immune reactions to infection are signaled. In this paper we report on identification of biological signals that are responsible for stimulating insect defenses to infection. This new research will be directly useful to scientists who are working to improve the efficacy of biological control methods. The ensuing improved biological control methods will benefit environmental management and a wide range of agricultural producers by supporting the long-term sustainability of agriculture.