Adipokinetic hormone receptor is required for larval food intake and development of Plutella xylostella

Hou, Q.-L., Fang, M., Zhu, J.-N., O'Sullivan, D. M. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4889-056X and Chen, E.-H. (2025) Adipokinetic hormone receptor is required for larval food intake and development of Plutella xylostella. Journal of Insect Physiology, 167. p. 104913. ISSN 1879-1611 doi: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2025.104913

Abstract/Summary

The diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella L.), a notorious worldwide pest of cruciferous crops, has evolved high resistance to various commonly used chemical insecticides. In insects, the adipokinetic hormone signaling system is the key regulator that efficiently mobilizes lipid storage to sustain energy demands during their different physiological processes. In this study, we characterized the full-length adipokinetic hormone receptor of P. xylostella (PxAKHR), which encodes a 414-amino-acid protein containing seven conserved transmembrane domains. We then evaluated its potential as a pest-control target by examining its roles in food intake and larval development. Gene expression analysis showed PxAKHR was most highly expressed in third instar larvae, with high transcript levels in the fat body and gut, indicating its key roles in energy metabolism and development. Knockdown of PxAKHR via RNAi (RNA interference) led to the accumulation of triacylglycerol (TAG) and lipid, along with significant reductions in both food intake and locomotor activity in P. xylostella larvae. Furthermore, we found a notable delay in larval development of P. xylostella after the injection of dsPxAKHR. Taken together, these findings confirm that PxAKHR plays critical roles in lipid mobilization, food intake, and development regulation of P. xylostella, highlighting its potential as a promising RNAi-based pest control target.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://centaur.reading.ac.uk/id/eprint/128289
Identification Number/DOI	10.1016/j.jinsphys.2025.104913
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	Life Sciences > School of Agriculture, Policy and Development > Department of Crop Science
Publisher	Elsevier
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