Molecular characterization and expression of vitellogenin gene from Spodoptera exigua exposed to cadmium stress

• The first complete Vg cDNA of S. exigua is cloned and sequenced.
• The analysis of the spatiotemporal expression of SEVg showed a developmental stage-, tissue- and sex-specific expression.
• Cd down-regulation of Vg gene expression suggests Cd stress elicits an important Vg response in S. exigua.

In this study, we cloned a full-length cDNA encoding vitellogenin (Vg) in Spodoptera exigua. The complete Vg cDNA consists of 5694 nucleotides with a long open reading frame encoding 1761 amino acid residues. The deduced amino acid sequence shared high similarity with the Vgs of other lepidopteran insects, particularly in the C-terminal region including the GL/ICG motif, five cysteine residues and DGXR motif. We analyzed the spatiotemporal expression of Vg transcripts in S. exigua by RT-PCR and Real-time Quantitative PCR. The results revealed that Vg was expressed specifically in the female fat body and was detectable after 5th day female pupae. The maximum level of Vg mRNA appeared in 48-h-old female adults and started to decrease quickly. When exposed to cadmium (Cd) (25–100 mg/kg), there was a significantly decreased Vg level in female adults. The information presented in this study suggested the Vg in S. exigua could be significantly affected by Cd pressure.