Response patterns of lncRNAs of the Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae under 23 pesticide treatments

Abstract

Abstract The response of Spodoptera frugiperda genes toward insecticides is crucial for guiding insecticide use. The regulation of the S. frugiperda genes via long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) under insecticide treatment should be investigated. In this study, 452 differentially expressed lncRNAs were identified by analyzing RNA-sequencing data of S. frugiperda under 23 pesticide treatments. We found 59 and 43 differentially expressed lncRNAs that could regulate detoxification-related cytochrome P450 and UDP-glucuronosyltransferase genes, respectively. Furthermore, the target genes of differentially expressed lncRNAs were enriched in Pfam, including chitin bind 4 and gene ontology terms such as structural constituent of the cuticle, revealing their potential mechanism of action on the growth inhibition of S. frugiperda larvae. Insecticide-specific expression of lncRNAs highlights the properties and commonalities of different insecticide-induced lncRNA regulatory mechanisms. To conclude, the results of this study provide new insights and perspectives on the use of 23 insecticides via lncRNA regulation of mRNAs.