Transcriptome and proteome analyses to investigate the molecular underpinnings of cold response in the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata.

The Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say)) is an insect that can cope with prolonged periods of low temperatures exposure. The molecular changes required to adapt to such conditions have not been thoroughly investigated in this insect. The current work aims at characterizing deregulated transcripts and proteins in adult L. decemlineata exposed to 15 °C and -5 °C using RNA-sequencing-based transcriptomics- and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)-based proteomics approaches, respectively. RNA-sequencing highlighted the differential expression of 2,326 transcripts, including ubiquilin-1 and ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal hydrolase 5, in insects submitted to low temperatures when compared with control insects. In addition, proteomics approach detected 1,733 proteins in cold-exposed beetles including elevated levels for 204 proteins and reduced levels for 241 proteins. Cuticular proteins CP1, CP4, CP5, CP6 and CP7 as well as eukaryotic translation initiation factors 4B and 4G were notable proteins with elevated levels in cold insects. Functional analysis of targets modulated at low temperatures using DAVID indicated processes likely affected under cold conditions including select metabolic cascades and RNA-associated processes. Overall, this work presents molecular candidates impacted by low temperatures exposure in L. decemlineata and builds on the current knowledge associated with response to these conditions in this insect.