Fox基因家族调控褐飞虱整个生命周期生长发育的功能网络研究

The forkhead-box (Fox) genes encoded a large family of transcription factors characterized by a ‘winged-helix’ DNA-binding domain. Our preliminary results showed that Fox genes played indispensable roles in embryonic development, molting, wing differentiation and reproduction of the brown planthopper (BPH). Thus far, most studies have focused on the individual gene function, and thus lack a comprehensive understanding of the Fox gene family. In this study, we identify all genes of the Fox gene family in the BPH genome and the annotated cDNA sequences. The gene architectures, phylogenetic relationships, expression patterns and RNA interference (RNAi) results are analyzed to elucidate the functions of the Fox genes with the context of BPH growth, development and reproduction. Moreover, RNA-seq is used to further explore the potential downstream target genes of these Fox genes, thereby constructing a coordinated genetic regulatory network of the Fox gene family throughout the life cycle of the BPH. These findings may deepen our overall understanding of the regulatory function of the Fox gene family in insect growth and development, and thus ultimately stimulate the design and development of novel insecticides.

Forkhead (Fox)基因编码一组包含保守的“翼状螺旋”DNA结合域的转录因子家族。我们初步研究结果显示，褐飞虱Fox基因对胚胎发育、蜕皮、翅型分化、繁殖等过程都起到至关重要的作用。但目前对Fox基因家族的功能研究都只涉及个别Fox基因，缺乏一个对Fox基因家族全面的、互相关联的整体研究。本申请项目中，我们将全面鉴定并克隆褐飞虱基因组中的Fox基因，通过基因结构、进化关系、表达模式和RNA干扰等研究方案，全方位揭示Fox基因家族在褐飞虱生长发育过程中扮演的重要作用。之后，利用转录组差异表达分析进一步探究这些Fox基因的潜在下游靶标基因，对重要下游基因进行启动子结合分析和功能验证，从而构建一个Fox基因家族及其下游靶标基因对褐飞虱整个生命历期的协同调控网络，从而深化我们对Fox基因家族在昆虫生长发育中调控功能的整体理解，也为通过基因调控进行害虫防治提供潜在靶标。