Table_5_Genome-Wide Profiling of Cardinium-Responsive MicroRNAs in the Exotic Whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) Biotype Q.XLSX

Although the bacterial symbiont Cardinium has profound effects on the ecological adaptation of its host, the whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) biotype Q (hereafter referred to as B. tabaci Q), the molecular mechanism underlying interactions between these two organisms is not yet fully understood. In this study, sRNA libraries were constructed, amplified, and sequenced for Cardinium-infected (C+) and uninfected (C∗−) B. tabaci Q with identical genetic backgrounds. Subsequently, the genes targeted by the differentially expressed miRNAs were predicted by integrating the B. tabaci Q genome data. A total of 125 known and 100 novel miRNAs were identified, among which 23 significant differentially expressed miRNAs were identified in both libraries. It is noteworthy that an analysis of target genes showed that Cardinium-responsive miRNA-regulated genes were functional in apoptosis, reproduction, development, immune response, thermotolerance and insecticide resistance. GO and KEGG pathway analysis revealed that some miRNA-target genes are closely associated with energy metabolism. A major finding of this study was the identification of several miRNAs that may be involved in physiological processes in response to environmental stress, i.e., insecticides and high temperatures. This information will provide a foundation to help further elucidate the functions of Cardinium in B. tabaci Q.

尽管细菌共生体卡迪纽菌（Cardinium）对其宿主白flies属的烟粉虱生物型Q（以下简称B. tabaci Q）的生态适应产生了深远的影响，然而，这两者之间相互作用的分子机制尚未得到全面阐释。在本研究中，针对具有相同遗传背景的受卡迪纽菌感染（C+）和非感染（C∗−）的B. tabaci Q，构建、扩增并测序了sRNA文库。随后，通过整合B. tabaci Q基因组数据，预测了由差异表达miRNAs靶向的基因。共鉴定出125个已知和100个新型miRNAs，其中在两个文库中都鉴定出23个显著差异表达的miRNAs。值得注意的是，对靶基因的分析表明，卡迪纽菌响应的miRNA调控基因在细胞凋亡、繁殖、发育、免疫反应、耐热性和农药抗性等生理过程中发挥功能。GO和KEGG通路分析揭示了某些miRNA靶基因与能量代谢密切相关。本研究的一个重要发现是鉴定出了一些可能参与对环境压力（如农药和高温）的生理反应过程的miRNAs。这些信息将为进一步阐明卡迪纽菌在B. tabaci Q中的功能提供基础。