TGFβRI modulates metabolic reprogramming via the aPKC-PEPCK axis during pupal diapause in the cotton Bollworm, <em>Helicoverpa armigera</em>

Insect diapause represents an evolutionarily conserved developmental arrest strategy characterized by profound metabolic suppression, though its underlying regulatory mechanisms remain incompletely elucidated. In this study, we identify a crucial signaling cascade involving transforming growth factor β receptor I (TGFβRI), atypical protein kinase C (aPKC), and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) that orchestrates metabolic reprogramming during pupal diapause in Helicoverpa armigera. Temporospatial expression profiling revealed coordinated downregulation of TGFβRI and PEPCK, a key gluconeogenic enzyme in diapause-destined pupae. Overexpression of TGFβRI was found to increase PEPCK levels in Helicoverpa zea ovarian cells (HzAm1). Concordantly, treatment of nondiapause-destined pupae with SB431542, a TGFβRI inhibitor, suppressed PEPCK in a dose-dependent manner. Further analysis revealed that aPKC serves as a downstream effector, as its phosphorylation levels were notably elevated in..., , # TGFβRI Modulates Metabolic Reprogramming via the aPKC-PEPCK Axis During Pupal Diapause in the Cotton Bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera Dataset DOI: [10.5061/dryad.8w9ghx417](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.8w9ghx417) ## Description of the data and file structure ### Files and variables #### File: Fig1__2__3__6__7_WB_Raw_data.pdf **Description:** We have integrated the original images and added corresponding descriptions, and provided a PDF file to prevent display position deviation. Fig. 1.(A) Overexpression of H. armigera TGFβRI upregulates PEPCK in HzAm1 cells. Fig. 1.(B) Injection of TGFβRI inhibitor SB431542 (SB) downregulates H. armigera PEPCK in nondiapause pupae. Fig. 2. (A) aPKC protein expression dynamics in diapause destined (DP) and nondiapause-destined (NP) pupae. Fig. 2. (B) p-aPKC (Thr410/403) protein expression dynamics in diapause destined (DP) and nondiapause-destined (NP) pupae. Fig. 3. (A) aPKC protein levels in diapause pupae following 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E)...,