AUTHOR=Li Kailong , Liu Kanghong , Wang Xing , Ma Mingyong , Luo Xiangwen , Chen Wuying , Chen Ang , Peng Zhaopu , Zhang Deyong 

TITLE=Role of nuclear receptors NlHR3 and NlFTZ-F1 in regulating molting and reproduction in Nilaparvata lugens (stål)

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Physiology

VOLUME=14

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/physiology/articles/10.3389/fphys.2023.1123583

DOI=10.3389/fphys.2023.1123583

ISSN=1664-042X

ABSTRACT=<p>The nuclear receptors <italic>HR3</italic> and <italic>FTZ-F1</italic> are highly conserved and function to regulate molting and reproduction in both hemimetabolous and holometabolous insects. However, their roles in <italic>Nilaparvata lugens</italic> are largely unknown. In the present study, we discover that <italic>NlHR3</italic> and <italic>NlFTZ-F1</italic> are activated in the nymph stages by ecdysone signaling. Transcription disruption of <italic>NlHR3</italic> and <italic>NlFTZ-F1</italic> expression prevents nymph ecdysis and metamorphosis, which leads to abnormal appearance, malformed ovaries, and lethal phenotypes. In addition, we demonstrate that <italic>NlHR3</italic> and <italic>NlFTZ-F1</italic> regulate molting and reproduction by interacting with the intrinsic 20E and JH signaling pathways. Our work offers a deep insight into the action mechanisms of <italic>HR3</italic> and <italic>FTZ-F1</italic> in insects. Moreover, <italic>NlHR3</italic> and <italic>NlFTZ-F1</italic> could properly be exploited as potential target genes for developing RNAi-based pesticides to control <italic>N. lugens</italic>.</p>