AUTHOR=Zhong Fan , Yu Liuhe , Jiang Xinyi , Chen Yan , Wang Sitong , Chao Lei , Jiang Zhiyang , He Biner , Xu Caidi , Wang Shigui , Tang Bin , Duan Hongxia , Wu Yan 

TITLE=Potential inhibitory effects of compounds ZK-PI-5 and ZK-PI-9 on trehalose and chitin metabolism in Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith)

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Physiology

VOLUME=14

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/physiology/articles/10.3389/fphys.2023.1178996

DOI=10.3389/fphys.2023.1178996

ISSN=1664-042X

ABSTRACT=<p><bold>Introduction:</bold><italic>Spodoptera frugiperda</italic> is an omnivorous agricultural pest which is great dangerous for grain output.</p><p><bold>Methods:</bold> In order to investigate the effects of potential trehalase inhibitors, ZK-PI-5 and ZK-PI-9, on the growth and development of <italic>S. frugiperda</italic>, and to identify new avenues for <italic>S. frugiperda</italic> control, we measured the content of the trehalose, glucose, glycogen and chitin, enzyme activity, and gene expression levels in trehalose and chitin metabolism of <italic>S. frugiperda</italic>. Besides, their growth and development were also observed.</p><p><bold>Results:</bold> The results showed that ZK-PI-9 significantly reduced trehalase activity and ZK-PI-5 significantly reduced membraned-bound trehalase activity. Moreover, ZK-PI-5 inhibited the expression of <italic>SfTRE2, SfCHS2,</italic> and <italic>SfCHT</italic>, thus affecting the chitin metabolism. In addition, the mortality of <italic>S. frugiperda</italic> in pupal stage and eclosion stage increased significantly after treatment with ZK-PI-5 and ZK-PI-9, which affected their development stage and caused death phenotype (abnormal pupation and difficulty in breaking pupa).</p><p><bold>Discussion:</bold> These results have provided a theoretical basis for the application of trehalase inhibitors in the control of agricultural pests to promote future global grain yield.</p>