Research Progress on Oviposition-Related Genes in Insects

Abstract

Oviposition-related genes have remained a consistent focus of insect molecular biology. Previous research has gradually clarified our mechanistic understanding of oviposition-related genes, including those related to oviposition-gland-related genes, oogenesis-related genes, oviposition-site-selection-related genes, and genes related to ovulation and hatching. Moreover, some of this research has revealed how the expression of single oviposition-related genes affects the expression of related genes, and more importantly, how individual node genes function to link the expression of upstream and downstream genes. However, the research to date is not sufficient to completely explain the overall interactions among the genes of the insect oviposition system. Through a literature review of a large number of studies, this review provides references for future research on oviposition-related genes in insects and the use of RNAi or CRISPR/Cas9 technology to verify the functions of oviposition-related genes and to prevent and control harmful insects.

Keywords: gland; hatching; location; oogenesis; ovulation.

Graphical Abstract

In order to control the population size of insect pests by molecular biology technology, the oviposition-related gene families were divided into four categories according to the functional characteristics of oviposition-related genes participating in physiological and biochemical reactions in pests: oviposition-gland-related genes, oogenesis-related genes, oviposition-site-selection-related genes, and genes related to ovulation and hatching.

Fig. 1.

Major expression sites of oviposition-related genes in female insects. Wing: OBPs and CSPs; abdomen: VG, Tra-2, Cyp-33c9, SPF-L, ATG8, PSHS-like, SHSPs, Tchsp18.3, Tudor, VgR, AKHR, DSX, PBP2, and HR13; legs: OBP and CSPs; egg: Akr, AADC-2, RpL11, Rps2, Tra-2, and Muc; head: OBPs, CSPs, ODEs, ORs, IRs, SNMPs, Gr11, Rh6, and miR-1000.

Fig. 2.

Among the four oviposition gene families that play different functions in the oviposition stage of insects, the studied species and the functions of their corresponding genes are recorded: oviposition-gland-related genes, egg-formation-related genes, oviposition-location-related genes, and ovulation- and hatching-related genes. Vitellogenin (Vg) and Selenoprotein F-like (SPF-L) are important genes related to oviposition glands, Vitellogenin receptor (VgR) and Ecdysone receptor (EcR) are important genes related to egg formation, Odorant receptors (ORs) and Pheromone binding protein (PBP) are important genes related to oviposition, and Mucins (Muc) and DOPA decarboxylase (DdC) are important genes related to ovulation and hatching. The function of Vg gene is to directly or indirectly affect the development of ovary; the function of SPF-L gene is to improve the reproductive ability of female; the function of VgR gene is to transport Vg protein; the function of EcR gene is involved in the formation of yolk envelope of primary follicle at the end of oogenesis; the function of ORs gene is promote to rapid, short-term, sensitive, and effective response of insect neurons; the function of PBP gene is locate to the oviposition site; the function of the Muc gene is to maintain the humidity in the egg; the function of the Ddc gene is to affect its molting, survival, and reproduction. The functions of Vg, SPF-L, VgR, EcR, ORs, PBP, Muc, and Ddc genes of the following insect species have been studied to some extent.