Publications by authors named "Hongai Su"

No mechanoreceptor potential C (NompC) is a major mechanotransduction channel with an important role in sensing of external mechanical stimuli by insects, which help these organisms to avoid injury and adapt to environmental changes. To explore the biological functions of NompC in Bactrocera dorsalis, a notorious agricultural pest, we successfully generated NompC knockout strains using clustered regularly interspaced small palindromic repeats (CRISPR) / CRISPR-associated nuclease 9 (Cas9) technology. BdorNompC knockout led to an adult lethal phenotype, with approximately 100% mortality at 3 d after eclosion.

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(Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae) () is an important agricultural, major invasive, and quarantine pest that can cause significant damage to the economic value of the fruit and vegetable industry. Male bait is one of the most effective methods of surveying, monitoring, and controlling . In our study, we constructed cDNA libraries using total RNA extracted independently from the antennae, mouthparts, and thoracic legs of male and female adults and the ovipositors of female adults and screened out four aldehyde-oxidase-related genes (AOX-related), , , , and .

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Background: Metazoan guts are in permanent contact with microbial communities. However, the host mechanisms that have developed to manage the dynamic changes of these microorganisms and maintain homeostasis remain largely unknown.

Results: Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine [5-HT]) was found to modulate gut microbiome homeostasis via regulation of a dual oxidase (Duox) gene expression in both Bactrocera dorsalis and Aedes aegypti.

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Article Synopsis
  • mAChRs are G protein-coupled receptors crucial for the insect nervous system and may be targets for insecticides.
  • Researchers identified three mAChR genes in the agricultural pest Bactrocera dorsalis, revealing their higher expression in young larvae and adult brains.
  • A knockout study of the Bdor-mAChR-B gene demonstrated its importance in larval development, movement, and mating behavior, with mutants showing lower reproduction and altered mobility.
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Background: Members of the transient receptor potential (TRP) superfamily are proteins that are critical for insects to detect changes in environmental stimuli and also play key roles in their sensory physiology. Moreover, this family provides potential targets for the design of insecticides. In contrast to a large number of studies conducted on Drosophila melanogaster, molecular studies to characterize TRP channels in agricultural pests are lacking.

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