Comparative Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Expression of Defense Pathways and Specific Protease Inhibitor Genes in Solanum lycopersicum in Response to Feeding by Tuta absoluta.

Simple Summary: Plants and phytophagous insects have co-evolved for millions of years. The interaction between them includes producing defense products in plants and formation of mechanisms to resist insect attack. Understanding this process can identify active compounds and potential targets to control phytophagous insects. The tomato leaf miner Tuta absoluta is one of the most dangerous pests to tomato. In this study, serine-type endopeptidase inhibitors were characterized as important response factors in Solanum lycopersicum to resist feeding by T. absoluta. These data are helpful to develop new pest control compounds based on the interaction between host and pest. Understanding plant-insect interactions can help control the harm of herbivorous pests. According to transcriptome data, transcripts of Solanum lycopersicum responding to feeding by Tuta absoluta were screened for important endopeptidase inhibitors. These genes were annotated as serine-type endopeptidase inhibitors from the potato inhibitor I family, potato type II proteinase inhibitor family, and soybean trypsin inhibitor (Kunitz) family. Based on the analysis of expression patterns, Solyc09g084480.2, Solyc03g020080.2, Solyc03g098760.1, and Solyc01g009020.1 were identified as key genes in the defense system of S. lycopersicum. The major endopeptidase genes such as Tabs008250, Tabs007396, and Tabs005701 in the larval stages of T. absoluta were also detected as potential targets of the plant endopeptidase inhibitors. The interaction mode between these endopeptidase and endopeptidase inhibitors was predicted based on the protein structure construction. This study aims to reveal the molecular response of S. lycopersicum to feeding by T. absoluta with high throughput sequencing and bioinformatics analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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