The Genetic Network of Forkhead Gene Family in Development of Brown Planthoppers.

We identified 18 distinct Fox genes in the genome of the brown planthopper, , and further found a novel insect-specific subfamily that we temporarily named FoxT. A total of 16 genes were highly expressed in the eggs, while and are female- and male-specific genes, respectively. Large scale RNAi and RNA-seq analyses were used to reveal the functions and potential targets of s. In the eggs, , and are indispensable to early embryogenesis by regulating different target genes; and co-regulate for brain development; and and have complementary effects on late embryogenesis. Moreover, , and have pleiotropism. FoxA and FoxQ regulate the expression of and cuticular proteins, respectively, thereby participating in the formation of cuticles. FoxN1, which regulates the expression of is involved in the formation of intermediate filament frameworks. Our previous studies have revealed that and play important roles in chorion formation and wing polyphenism. Altogether, Fox genes exhibit functional diversity in embryonic development and organogenesis. This comprehensive study combines genomics, transcriptomics and phenomics, thereby constructing a complex genetic network that spans the entire life cycle of the brown planthopper.