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Molecular characterisation of the sHsps genes in Spodoptera frugiperda and analysis of their expression patterns to temperature and ultraviolet stress

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 August 2025

Xue-Xia Zhang ,
Lei Yang ,
Xiang-Li Dong  and
Chang-Yu Zhang Open the ORCID record for Chang-Yu Zhang [Opens in a new window]
Xue-Xia Zhang
Affiliation:
Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory for Agricultural Pest Management of the Mountainous Region, Institute of Entomology, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
Lei Yang
Affiliation:
China Tobacco Hunan Industrial Co., Ltd., Changsha, China
Xiang-Li Dong
Affiliation:
Guizhou Tobacco Company Fenggang Zunyi Branch, Zunyi, China
Chang-Yu Zhang*
Affiliation:
Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory for Agricultural Pest Management of the Mountainous Region, Institute of Entomology, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
*
Corresponding author: Chang-Yu Zhang; Email: zcy1121@aliyun.com
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Abstract

Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), commonly known as the fall armyworm (FAW), is an invasive pest known for its rapid migration, strong adaptability, and wide host range. Small heat shock proteins (sHsps) are a specific class of Hsps associated with the molecular mechanisms of insect growth and development and the response to abiotic stresses, such as extreme temperatures, ultraviolet (UV) rays, and pesticides. Herein, six sHsps, SfsHsp11.2, SfsHsp15.8, SfsHsp20.2, SfsHsp21.4, SfsHsp22, and SfsHsp26.6, were successfully cloned and identified from FAW. The six SfsHsps all have an α-crystallin domain in their amino acid sequences. Furthermore, we investigated the expression patterns of these six SfsHsps in different tissues and developmental stages of FAW using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Their expression levels in adult FAW were also analysed under extreme temperatures (36°C and 4°C) and UV-A stress for different durations (0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 min). Our findings revealed distinct expression profiles for the six SfsHsps in different FAW tissues and developmental stages. Notably, under temperature and UV-A stress, most SfsHsp genes were significantly upregulated in adults. Our findings strongly indicate that SfsHsps are crucial in the development and stress response of S. frugiperda.

Keywords

extreme temperatureRT-qPCRsmall heat shock proteinSpodoptera frugiperdaultraviolet-A

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Type
Research Paper
Information
Bulletin of Entomological Research , First View , pp. 1 - 10
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© The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press.

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