Juvenile hormone upregulates sugarbabe for vitellogenesis and egg development in the migratory locustLocusta migratoria

Sugarbabe is a C(2)H(2)zinc-finger transcription factor that is sensitive to sugar and essential for lipid biosynthesis in larvae ofDrosophila melanogaster. However, the role of Sugarbabe in adult insect development remains unexplored. Vitellogenesis is a nutrient-dependent process that is promoted by juvenile hormone (JH) in many insect species. Here, we cloned an ortholog gene ofD. melanogaster Sugarbabe(DmSug) in the migratory locustLocusta migratoria. The locust Sugarbabe (LmSug) has five C(2)H(2)zinc-finger motifs similar to DmSug. LmSug was expressed at a low level in adult female locusts raised under poor nutrient conditions. JH treatment increased the expression level ofLmSug. Knockdown of the JH receptor geneMetcaused a reduction ofLmSugexpression. Depletion of the LmSugtranscript level caused a significant reduction invitellogeninexpression in the fat body, resulting in impaired oocyte development and ovary growth. The results suggest thatLmSugis expressed in response to JH, and plays an essential role in female insect reproduction.

Automated summary

LmSug is a zinc-finger transcription factor sensitive to juvenile hormone, playing a vital role in female insect reproduction.