AUTHOR=Wei Jizhen , Li Linhong , Yao Shuangyan , Yang Shuo , Zhou Shuai , Liu Xiaoguang , Du Mengfang , An Shiheng 

TITLE=Calcineurin-Modulated Antimicrobial Peptide Expression Is Required for the Development of Helicoverpa armigera

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Physiology

VOLUME=10

YEAR=2019

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/physiology/articles/10.3389/fphys.2019.01312

DOI=10.3389/fphys.2019.01312

ISSN=1664-042X

ABSTRACT=<p><italic>Helicoverpa armigera</italic> is a universal pest around the world that has been extensively used as a model organism for agricultural pests. Calcineurin (CAN) is an important Ca<sup>2+</sup>-dependent phosphatase that is participated in various biological pathways. Here, we revealed that CAN inhibition significantly arrested <italic>H. armigera</italic> larval development by reducing larvae weight, prolonging development time and reducing pupate rates. Furthermore, CAN serves as an immune activator and regulates antimicrobial peptide (AMP; cecropin D, attacin, and gloverin) expression by binding with relish transcript factor in <italic>H. armigera</italic>. This study provides a potential target to control <italic>H. armigera</italic> by using synergistic agents for pesticides or plant-mediated RNA interference technology.</p>