Role of UGT344J7 in the response of the bird cherry-oat aphid to starvation and high temperature stress

The response of insects to stress, particularly starvation and high
temperature stress, is a crucial area of insect research. Uridine
diphosphate-glucosyltransferases (UGTs) are key enzymes involved in the
detoxification of exogenous substances. This study analyzed the role of
the UGT344J7 gene in the response of Rhopalosiphum padi to starvation and
high temperature stress. UGT344J7 was significantly upregulated under
conditions of high temperature and food scarcity. Following RNAi targeting
UGT344J7, the mortality of R. padi increased significantly under both high
temperature and starvation conditions. Knockdown of the UGT344J7 gene led
to a significant increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in R.
padi, accompanied by a significant downregulation of four heat shock
protein genes (Hsp70-1, Hsp70-2, Hsp68, Hsp90). Based on these results, we
speculate that UGT344J7 regulates the expression of heat shock protein
genes by modulating ROS levels, thereby helping R. padi cope with high
temperature and starvation stress. This is the first report on the role of
the UGT gene in starvation and high temperature stress in an aphid
species. This research suggests that silencing UGT344J7 could serve as a
potential strategy for controlling R. padi, and novel insecticides
targeting this gene may be developed to disrupt the physiological
processes of this significant pest.