Proteome Analysis of Male Accessory Gland Secretions in the Diamondback Moth, Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae)

Simple Summary Male accessory gland proteins (ACPs) play an important role in insect reproduction. Identification of ACPs is crucial to study female reproduction and physiology in a given insect species. The diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.), is one of the most destructive insect pests, affecting cruciferous vegetables all over the world. In this study, two different proteomic methods were used to investigate the ACPs in P. xylostella. In total, 123 putative secreted ACPs were identified. Comparing P. xylostella with other four species of insect ACPs, some new insect ACPs were discovered. In insects, male accessory gland proteins (ACPs) are important reproductive proteins secreted by male accessory glands (MAGs) of the internal male reproductive system. During mating, ACPs are transferred along with sperms inside female bodies and have a significant impact on the post-mating physiology changes of the females. Under sexual selection pressures, the ACPs exhibit remarkably rapid and divergent evolution and vary from species to species. The diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), is a major insect pest of cruciferous vegetables worldwide. Mating has a profound impact on the females' behavior and physiology in this species. It is still unclear what the ACPs are in this species. In this study, two different proteomic methods were used to identify ACPs in P. xylostella. The proteins of MAGs were compared immediately before and after mating by using a tandem mass tags (TMT) quantitative proteomic analysis. The proteomes of copulatory bursas (CB) in mated females shortly after mating were also analyzed by the shotgun LC-MS/MS technique. In total, we identified 123 putative secreted ACPs. Comparing P. xylostella with other four insect ACPs, trypsins were the only ACPs detected in all insect species. We also identified some new insect ACPs, including proteins with chitin binding Peritrophin-A domain, PMP-22/ EMP/ MP20/ Claudin tight junction domain-containing protein, netrin-1, type II inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate 5-phosphatase, two spaetzles, allatostatin-CC, and cuticular protein. This is the first time that ACPs have been identified and analyzed in P. xylostella. Our results have provided an important list of putative secreted ACPs, and have set the stage for further exploration of the functions of these putative proteins in P. xylostella reproduction.

Automated summary

The study identified and analyzed male accessory gland proteins (ACPs) in the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella. A comparison with ACPs in other insect species revealed some new ACPs. This research provides valuable information for understanding the reproductive physiology of P. xylostella.