Data from:Physiological role and application potential of HcCAT2 in multi-host adaptability of Hyphantria cunea revealed by RNA interference
Data files
Apr 28, 2026 version files 61.74 KB
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Figure_1.csv
7.54 KB
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Figure_2.csv
4.02 KB
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Figure_3.csv
3.97 KB
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Figure_4.csv
3.52 KB
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Figure_5.csv
3.22 KB
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Figure_6.csv
7.60 KB
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Figure_S1.csv
336 B
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README.md
31.53 KB
Abstract
The antioxidant defense system is crucial for herbivorous insects to adapt to various host plants. This study focused on catalase 2 gene (HcCAT2) to investigate the antioxidant mechanisms that underlie the ability of Hyphantria cunea to adapt to a wide range of hosts and to develop a disruptor for its polyphagous behavior. Results indicated that, compared to larvae fed on the highly preferred host plant Morus alba, HcCAT2 expression increased 33.19- to 47.25-fold in larvae reared on Betula platyphylla and Tilia amurensis with moderate and low preference, respectively. Silencing HcCAT2 consistently reduced larval body weight and downregulated growth-related genes (e.g., Cyclin A2 and Decapentaplegic) across all host plant groups. Moreover, HcCAT2 silencing significantly downregulated key glycolytic genes (Hexokinase and Pyruvate kinase), the tricarboxylic acid cycle gene (Isocitrate Dehydrogenase 2), and lipid metabolism genes (e.g., Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase) in larvae fed on all three host plants.. The redox response in larvae was complex, as HcCAT2 silencing led to a marked downregulation of negative regulators of oxidative damage and key ROS-producing genes. The nucleic acid pesticide CS-dsHcCAT2, designed to target HcCAT2 expression, exhibited significantly higher silencing efficiency than the bacterial suspension expressing dsHcCAT2. Treatment with CS-dsHcCAT2 suppressed larval body weight on all host plants. Collectively, the HcCAT2-mediated antioxidant defense system is critical to the host plant adaptation of H. cunea, and CS-dsHcCAT2, by inhibiting HcCAT2 expression, holds promise as an effective agent to disrupt the polyphagous behavior of H. cunea.
Summary of dataset contents
This dataset contains the source data used to generate Figures 1-6 and Figure S1 for the associated manuscript, "Physiological role and application potential of HcCAT2 in multi-host adaptability of Hyphantria cunea revealed by RNA interference." The study examined the role of catalase 2 (HcCAT2) in the ability of Hyphantria cunea larvae to adapt to host plants with different preference levels and evaluated a chitosan-based double-stranded RNA nucleic acid pesticide targeting HcCAT2.
The dataset includes relative gene expression data measured by RT-qPCR, larval body weight data measured after feeding on treated or untreated host leaves, and H2O2 content data. Three host plant species were used: Morus alba (high-preference host), Betula platyphylla (moderate-preference host), and Tilia amurensis (low-preference host). RNA interference treatments included dsRNA-expressing bacteria and chitosan-delivered dsRNA formulations.
Description of the data and file structure
The dataset contains seven comma-separated value (CSV) files:
Figure 1.csvFigure 2.csvFigure 3.csvFigure 4.csvFigure 5.csvFigure 6.csvFigure S1.csv
Each CSV file is organized in a wide, figure-based format. Within each file, blank rows separate figure panels or subpanels, and blank columns separate host plant groups, genes, treatments, or time points. These blank rows and columns are used for readability only and should not be interpreted as missing observations. Rows labelled average value contain the mean of the replicate values shown immediately above them. Rows containing percentage values show calculated inhibition, reduction, fold-change, or silencing values as described below.
General interpretation of numeric values
- RT-qPCR expression values are relative expression levels calculated using the 2^-ΔΔCt method.
- Relative expression values are dimensionless. Values near 1 indicate expression similar to the corresponding untreated host-plant control.
- For gene expression panels, three replicate values are provided for each treatment group unless otherwise noted. Each replicate represents a biological replicate consisting of five larvae.
- Larval body weight values are individual larval fresh body weights measured at 48, 96, 144, or 192 hours after feeding. Unit: milligrams (mg).
- Body weight files contain 40 individual larval values per treatment group at each time point.
- Percentage inhibition or reduction values were calculated relative to the corresponding untreated host-plant control group unless otherwise stated.
- H2O2 values in
Figure S1.csvare assay-derived H2O2 content values measured using Amplex Red reagent. The original source file did not specify a display unit for these H2O2 values; users should interpret them as the H2O2 content values used for Figure S1.
Missing data and blank cells
There are no coded missing values in the dataset. Blank cells, blank rows, and blank columns are formatting separators. They do not indicate that data are missing.
Treatment and group abbreviations
| Abbreviation or label | Meaning |
|---|---|
M or M. alba |
Larvae fed untreated Morus alba leaves; high-preference host control |
B or B.platyphylla |
Larvae fed untreated Betula platyphylla leaves; moderate-preference host control |
T or T. amurensis |
Larvae fed untreated Tilia amurensis leaves; low-preference host control |
dsGFP |
Negative-control double-stranded RNA targeting GFP |
dsHcCAT2 |
Double-stranded RNA targeting HcCAT2 |
MdsGFP or M. alba-dsGFP |
M. alba leaves treated with dsGFP-expressing bacterial suspension |
BdsGFP or B.platyphylla-dsGFP |
B. platyphylla leaves treated with dsGFP-expressing bacterial suspension |
TdsGFP or T. amurensis-dsGFP |
T. amurensis leaves treated with dsGFP-expressing bacterial suspension |
MdsHcCAT2 or M. alba-dsHcCAT2 |
M. alba leaves treated with dsHcCAT2-expressing bacterial suspension |
BdsHcCAT2 or B.platyphylla-dsHcCAT2 |
B. platyphylla leaves treated with dsHcCAT2-expressing bacterial suspension |
TdsHcCAT2 or T. amurensis-dsHcCAT2 |
T. amurensis leaves treated with dsHcCAT2-expressing bacterial suspension |
CS |
Chitosan delivery system |
CS-dsGFP |
Chitosan-delivered dsGFP negative-control formulation |
CS-dsHcCAT2 |
Chitosan-delivered dsHcCAT2 nucleic acid pesticide |
MCS-dsGFP or M. alba-CS-dsGFP |
M. alba leaves treated with CS-dsGFP |
BCS-dsGFP or B.platyphylla-CS-dsGFP |
B. platyphylla leaves treated with CS-dsGFP |
TCS-dsGFP or T. amurensis-CS-dsGFP |
T. amurensis leaves treated with CS-dsGFP |
MCS-dsHcCAT2 or M. alba-CS-dsHcCAT2 |
M. alba leaves treated with CS-dsHcCAT2 |
BCS-dsHcCAT2 or B.platyphylla-CS-dsHcCAT2 |
B. platyphylla leaves treated with CS-dsHcCAT2 |
TCS-dsHcCAT2 or T. amurensis-CS-dsHcCAT2 |
T. amurensis leaves treated with CS-dsHcCAT2 |
Gene abbreviations and biological categories
| Gene label in data files | Full name or description | Data file(s) | Biological category |
|---|---|---|---|
HcCAT2 |
Catalase 2 gene of H. cunea | Figure 1.csv, Figure 6.csv |
Antioxidant defense / RNAi target gene |
HcMYC or MYC |
MYC proto-oncogene | Figure 2.csv |
Growth and development-related gene |
HcJUN or JUN |
JUN proto-oncogene | Figure 2.csv |
Growth and development-related gene |
HcCCNA or CCNA |
Cyclin A2 gene | Figure 2.csv |
Growth and development-related gene |
HcFOS or FOS |
FOS proto-oncogene | Figure 2.csv |
Growth and development-related gene |
HcDPP or DPP |
Decapentaplegic gene | Figure 2.csv |
Growth and development-related gene |
HcHK1 or HK |
Hexokinase gene | Figure 3.csv |
Glycolysis / energy metabolism |
HcPK or PK |
Pyruvate kinase gene | Figure 3.csv |
Glycolysis / energy metabolism |
HcIDH2 or IDH2 |
Isocitrate dehydrogenase 2 gene | Figure 3.csv |
Tricarboxylic acid cycle / energy metabolism |
HcACC or ACC |
Acetyl-CoA carboxylase gene | Figure 3.csv |
Lipid metabolism |
HcLIP10 or LIP10 |
Lipase Lip10 gene | Figure 3.csv |
Lipid metabolism |
HcBCL2L1 or BCL2L1 |
BCL2 like 1 gene | Figure 4.csv |
Oxidative damage-associated gene |
HcAIFM3 or AIFM3 |
Apoptosis-inducing factor mitochondria-associated 3 gene | Figure 4.csv |
Oxidative damage-associated gene |
HcCASPASE6 or CASPASE6 |
Caspase 6 gene | Figure 4.csv |
Oxidative damage-associated gene |
HcBCL11A or BCL11A |
BCL11 transcription factor A gene | Figure 4.csv |
Oxidative damage-associated gene |
Hc1-CASPASE4 or 1-CASPASE4 |
Cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase 4 gene | Figure 4.csv |
Oxidative damage-associated gene |
HcNox5 or Nox5 |
NADPH oxidase 5 gene | Figure 5.csv |
ROS-producing regulatory gene |
HcFDXR or FDXR |
Ferredoxin reductase gene | Figure 5.csv |
ROS-producing regulatory gene |
HcDuox or Duox |
Dual oxidase 1 gene | Figure 5.csv |
ROS-producing regulatory gene |
HcNox4 or Nox4 |
NADPH oxidase 4 gene | Figure 5.csv |
ROS-producing regulatory gene |
File-by-file data dictionary
Figure 1.csv
This file contains data for Figure 1A, Figure 1B, and Figure 1C-F.
Figure 1A: HcCAT2 expression response to host plants
Variables:
| Variable/column | Meaning | Unit or scale |
|---|---|---|
HcCAT2 expression level |
Relative expression level of HcCAT2 in larvae fed on different host plants | Dimensionless; 2^-ΔΔCt relative expression |
M. alba |
HcCAT2 relative expression in larvae fed M. alba leaves | Dimensionless |
B.platyphylla |
HcCAT2 relative expression in larvae fed B. platyphylla leaves | Dimensionless |
T. amurensis |
HcCAT2 relative expression in larvae fed T. amurensis leaves | Dimensionless |
average value row |
Mean relative expression for each host plant | Dimensionless |
Final numeric row below average value |
Fold increase in HcCAT2 expression for B. platyphylla and T. amurensis relative to M. alba | Fold-change |
Figure 1B: HcCAT2 silencing by dsHcCAT2-expressing bacteria
Variables:
| Variable/column | Meaning | Unit or scale |
|---|---|---|
silencing efficiency section |
Relative HcCAT2 expression values after bacterial dsRNA treatment | Dimensionless; 2^-ΔΔCt relative expression |
M. alba, B.platyphylla, T. amurensis |
Untreated host-plant control groups | Dimensionless |
M. alba-dsGFP, B.platyphylla-dsGFP, T. amurensis-dsGFP |
Negative-control dsGFP treatment groups | Dimensionless |
M. alba-dsHcCAT2, B.platyphylla-dsHcCAT2, T. amurensis-dsHcCAT2 |
dsHcCAT2 treatment groups | Dimensionless |
average value row |
Mean relative expression for each group | Dimensionless |
| Percentage row | Percent reduction in HcCAT2 expression in the dsHcCAT2 group relative to the corresponding untreated host control | Percent (%) |
Figure 1C-F: Larval body weight after dsRNA-expressing bacterial treatment
Variables:
| Variable/column | Meaning | Unit or scale |
|---|---|---|
body weight（48h） |
Individual larval body weight 48 h after feeding | mg |
body weight（96h） |
Individual larval body weight 96 h after feeding | mg |
body weight（144h） |
Individual larval body weight 144 h after feeding | mg |
body weight（192h） |
Individual larval body weight 192 h after feeding | mg |
| Host control columns | Body weight of larvae fed untreated host leaves | mg |
dsGFP columns |
Body weight of larvae fed leaves treated with dsGFP-expressing bacterial suspension | mg |
dsHcCAT2 columns |
Body weight of larvae fed leaves treated with dsHcCAT2-expressing bacterial suspension | mg |
average value row |
Mean body weight for each treatment group and time point | mg |
| Percentage row | Percent body-weight inhibition relative to the corresponding untreated host control | Percent (%) |
Figure 2.csv
This file contains RT-qPCR relative expression data for growth and development-related genes after dsHcCAT2-expressing bacterial treatment.
Subpanels:
- Figure 2A: larvae fed M. alba
- Figure 2B: larvae fed B. platyphylla
- Figure 2C: larvae fed T. amurensis
Variables:
| Variable/column | Meaning | Unit or scale |
|---|---|---|
HcMYC |
Relative expression of MYC proto-oncogene | Dimensionless; 2^-ΔΔCt |
HcJUN |
Relative expression of JUN proto-oncogene | Dimensionless; 2^-ΔΔCt |
HcCCNA |
Relative expression of Cyclin A2 gene | Dimensionless; 2^-ΔΔCt |
HcFOS |
Relative expression of FOS proto-oncogene | Dimensionless; 2^-ΔΔCt |
HcDPP |
Relative expression of Decapentaplegic gene | Dimensionless; 2^-ΔΔCt |
| Untreated host columns | Gene expression in larvae fed untreated host leaves | Dimensionless |
dsGFP columns |
Gene expression in larvae fed leaves treated with dsGFP-expressing bacterial suspension | Dimensionless |
dsHcCAT2 columns |
Gene expression in larvae fed leaves treated with dsHcCAT2-expressing bacterial suspension | Dimensionless |
average value row |
Mean relative expression for each group | Dimensionless |
| Percentage row | Percent reduction in the dsHcCAT2 group relative to the corresponding untreated host control | Percent (%) |
Figure 3.csv
This file contains RT-qPCR relative expression data for energy metabolism-related genes after dsHcCAT2-expressing bacterial treatment.
Subpanels:
- Figure 3A: larvae fed M. alba
- Figure 3B: larvae fed B. platyphylla
- Figure 3C: larvae fed T. amurensis
Variables:
| Variable/column | Meaning | Unit or scale |
|---|---|---|
HcHK1 |
Relative expression of hexokinase gene | Dimensionless; 2^-ΔΔCt |
HcPK |
Relative expression of pyruvate kinase gene | Dimensionless; 2^-ΔΔCt |
HcIDH2 |
Relative expression of isocitrate dehydrogenase 2 gene | Dimensionless; 2^-ΔΔCt |
HcACC |
Relative expression of acetyl-CoA carboxylase gene | Dimensionless; 2^-ΔΔCt |
HcLIP10 |
Relative expression of lipase Lip10 gene | Dimensionless; 2^-ΔΔCt |
| Untreated host columns | Gene expression in larvae fed untreated host leaves | Dimensionless |
dsGFP columns |
Gene expression in larvae fed leaves treated with dsGFP-expressing bacterial suspension | Dimensionless |
dsHcCAT2 columns |
Gene expression in larvae fed leaves treated with dsHcCAT2-expressing bacterial suspension | Dimensionless |
average value row |
Mean relative expression for each group | Dimensionless |
| Percentage row | Percent reduction in the dsHcCAT2 group relative to the corresponding untreated host control | Percent (%) |
Figure 4.csv
This file contains RT-qPCR relative expression data for oxidative damage-associated genes after dsHcCAT2-expressing bacterial treatment.
Subpanels:
- Figure 4A: larvae fed M. alba
- Figure 4B: larvae fed B. platyphylla
- Figure 4C: larvae fed T. amurensis
Variables:
| Variable/column | Meaning | Unit or scale |
|---|---|---|
HcBCL2L1 |
Relative expression of BCL2 like 1 gene | Dimensionless; 2^-ΔΔCt |
HcAIFM3 |
Relative expression of apoptosis-inducing factor mitochondria-associated 3 gene | Dimensionless; 2^-ΔΔCt |
HcCASPASE6 |
Relative expression of Caspase 6 gene | Dimensionless; 2^-ΔΔCt |
HcBCL11A |
Relative expression of BCL11 transcription factor A gene | Dimensionless; 2^-ΔΔCt |
Hc1-CASPASE4 |
Relative expression of cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase 4 gene | Dimensionless; 2^-ΔΔCt |
| Untreated host columns | Gene expression in larvae fed untreated host leaves | Dimensionless |
dsGFP columns |
Gene expression in larvae fed leaves treated with dsGFP-expressing bacterial suspension | Dimensionless |
dsHcCAT2 columns |
Gene expression in larvae fed leaves treated with dsHcCAT2-expressing bacterial suspension | Dimensionless |
average value row |
Mean relative expression for each group | Dimensionless |
| Percentage row | Percent reduction in the dsHcCAT2 group relative to the corresponding untreated host control | Percent (%) |
Figure 5.csv
This file contains RT-qPCR relative expression data for ROS-producing regulatory genes after dsHcCAT2-expressing bacterial treatment.
Subpanels:
- Figure 5A: larvae fed M. alba
- Figure 5B: larvae fed B. platyphylla
- Figure 5C: larvae fed T. amurensis
Variables:
| Variable/column | Meaning | Unit or scale |
|---|---|---|
HcNox5 |
Relative expression of NADPH oxidase 5 gene | Dimensionless; 2^-ΔΔCt |
HcFDXR |
Relative expression of ferredoxin reductase gene | Dimensionless; 2^-ΔΔCt |
HcDuox |
Relative expression of dual oxidase 1 gene | Dimensionless; 2^-ΔΔCt |
HcNox4 |
Relative expression of NADPH oxidase 4 gene | Dimensionless; 2^-ΔΔCt |
| Untreated host columns | Gene expression in larvae fed untreated host leaves | Dimensionless |
dsGFP columns |
Gene expression in larvae fed leaves treated with dsGFP-expressing bacterial suspension | Dimensionless |
dsHcCAT2 columns |
Gene expression in larvae fed leaves treated with dsHcCAT2-expressing bacterial suspension | Dimensionless |
average value row |
Mean relative expression for each group | Dimensionless |
| Percentage row | Percent reduction in the dsHcCAT2 group relative to the corresponding untreated host control | Percent (%) |
Figure 6.csv
This file contains data for Figure 6A and Figure 6B-E, which evaluate the chitosan-delivered nucleic acid pesticide CS-dsHcCAT2.
Figure 6A: HcCAT2 silencing efficiency of CS-dsHcCAT2
Variables:
| Variable/column | Meaning | Unit or scale |
|---|---|---|
silencing efficiency section |
Relative HcCAT2 expression after CS-dsRNA treatment | Dimensionless; 2^-ΔΔCt |
M. alba, B.platyphylla, T. amurensis |
Untreated host-plant control groups | Dimensionless |
M. alba-CS-dsGFP, B.platyphylla-CS-dsGFP, T. amurensis-CS-dsGFP |
CS-dsGFP negative-control groups | Dimensionless |
M. alba-CS-dsHcCAT2, B.platyphylla-CS-dsHcCAT2, T. amurensis-CS-dsHcCAT2 |
CS-dsHcCAT2 treatment groups | Dimensionless |
average value row |
Mean relative expression for each group | Dimensionless |
| Percentage row | Percent reduction in HcCAT2 expression in the CS-dsHcCAT2 group relative to the corresponding untreated host control | Percent (%) |
Figure 6B-E: Larval body weight after CS-dsRNA treatment
Variables:
| Variable/column | Meaning | Unit or scale |
|---|---|---|
body weight(48h) |
Individual larval body weight 48 h after feeding | mg |
body weight(96h) |
Individual larval body weight 96 h after feeding | mg |
body weight(144h) |
Individual larval body weight 144 h after feeding | mg |
body weight(192h) |
Individual larval body weight 192 h after feeding | mg |
| Host control columns | Body weight of larvae fed untreated host leaves | mg |
CS-dsGFP columns |
Body weight of larvae fed leaves treated with CS-dsGFP | mg |
CS-dsHcCAT2 columns |
Body weight of larvae fed leaves treated with CS-dsHcCAT2 | mg |
average value row |
Mean body weight for each treatment group and time point | mg |
| Percentage row | Percent body-weight inhibition relative to the corresponding untreated host control | Percent (%) |
Note: In the 144 h section of Figure 6.csv, some column headers appear as M. alba-dsGFP, M. alba-dsHcCAT2, B.platyphylla-dsGFP, B.platyphylla-dsHcCAT2, T. amurensis-dsGFP, and T. amurensis-dsHcCAT2. Based on the Figure 6 experimental design and the surrounding columns, these columns correspond to the CS-dsGFP and CS-dsHcCAT2 treatments.
Figure S1.csv
This file contains H2O2 content data for Figure S1.
Variables:
| Variable/column | Meaning | Unit or scale |
|---|---|---|
H2O2 content |
H2O2 content in larvae after feeding on untreated or dsRNA-treated host leaves | Assay-derived H2O2 content value; unit not specified in source file |
M, B, T |
Untreated host-plant control groups | Assay-derived value |
MdsGFP, BdsGFP, TdsGFP |
dsGFP-expressing bacterial suspension negative-control groups | Assay-derived value |
MdsHcCAT2, BdsHcCAT2, TdsHcCAT2 |
dsHcCAT2-expressing bacterial suspension treatment groups | Assay-derived value |
The first row of this file states that Table S5 data were consistent with the data in Figure 1C-F. The numerical data in Figure S1.csv itself are the H2O2 content values shown in Figure S1. Three replicate values are included for each group.
Experimental design notes relevant to data interpretation
Third-instar H. cunea larvae were used in the feeding experiments. For dsRNA-expressing bacterial treatment, leaves were brushed with dsGFP- or dsHcCAT2-expressing bacterial suspension at a ratio of 100 μL per 1 g leaf. For CS-dsRNA treatment, leaves were brushed with CS-dsGFP or CS-dsHcCAT2 at the same ratio.
For larval body weight measurements, 40 larvae were measured per treatment group at each time point. For mortality measurements described in the manuscript, four replicates were used, each consisting of 20 larvae; mortality values are not included in the figure-level CSV files listed above. For RT-qPCR and H2O2 measurements, three biological replicates were used, each replicate consisting of five larvae.
RT-qPCR values were normalized to the reference gene RPS16 and calculated using the 2^-ΔΔCt method.
Sharing/Access information
Links to other publicly accessible locations of the data:
- Dryad dataset: https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.1g1jwsvcc
Data were generated by the authors for this study and were not derived from external datasets.
Suggested dataset citation:
Yan, X., Yi, L., Zheng, L., Yan, S., & Jiang, D. 2026. Data from: Physiological role and application potential of HcCAT2 in multi-host adaptability of Hyphantria cunea revealed by RNA interference. Dryad. https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.1g1jwsvcc
Code/Software
No analysis code or scripts are included in this dataset.
RT-qPCR relative expression values were calculated using the 2^-ΔΔCt method. Statistical analyses for the manuscript were conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics 26. Homogeneity of variances was checked using Levene's test, and group comparisons were conducted using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's post hoc test. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.
The CSV files can be opened and reanalyzed using spreadsheet software such as Microsoft Excel or statistical/programming software such as R, Python, SPSS, or GraphPad Prism. Because the files are arranged in a figure-based wide format, users who wish to perform additional statistical analyses may need to reshape the data into a long format with columns such as figure_panel, host_plant, treatment, time_point, gene, replicate, and value.
Contact
For questions about the dataset, please contact:
- Dun Jiang: 821880041@qq.com