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JAK/STAT signaling regulated intestinal regeneration defends insect pests against insecticidal proteins produced by Bacillus thuringiensis

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Nov 30, 2023 version files 722.65 KB

Abstract

A variety of coordinated host-cell responses are activated as defense mechanisms against pore-forming toxins (PFTs). Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is a widely used biopesticide whose efficacy and precise application methods limit its use to replace synthetic pesticides in agricultural settings. Here, we analyzed the intestinal defense mechanisms of two lepidopteran insect pests after intoxication with a sublethal dose of Bt PFTs to find out potential target genes for reduction of defense responses using dsRNA to silence their expression. We show that larval intestinal epithelium was initially damaged by the PFTs and that larval survival was observed after intestinal epithelium regeneration. Further analyses showed that the proliferation and differentiation of intestinal stem cells after Bt toxins treatments were regulated through JNK and JAK/STAT signaling pathways. Repression of intestinal regeneration by treating specific dsRNA led to increased toxicity of Bt PFTs to both Chilo suppressalis and Spodoptera frugiperda. Consequently, a nano-biopesticide was designed to improve pesticidal efficacy based on the combination of dsRNA-nanoparticles with Bt bacterial strains. This formulation efficiently controlled insect pests suggesting its potential use to reduce the use of synthetic pesticides in agricultural settings for pest control.