Gene cloning, characterization and expression and enzymatic activities related to trehalose metabolism during diapause of the onion maggot Delia antiqua (Diptera: Anthomyiidae)

• TPS, TPP and TRE involving in trehalose metabolism were cloned and characterized.
• Their enzymatic activities were determined in diapausing Dalia antiqua pupae.
• They share a similar expression pattern in summer and winter diapausing pupae.
• Glucose and trehalose contents are different between both diapausing pupae.
• Trehalose's function was suggested in cold hardiness and desiccation resistance.

Trehalose represents the main hemolymph sugar in many insects, and it functions in energy metabolism and protection in extreme environmental conditions. To gain an insight into trehalose functions in Delia antiqua diapausing pupae, genes encoding trehalose-6-phosphate synthase (TPS), trehalose-6-phosphatase (TPP) and trehalase (TRE) were identified and characterized. Analysis of the deduced amino acid sequences indicated that these genes were highly similar to each homolog from Diptera insects. Gene expressions and their enzyme activities were also investigated. The differential expressions of TPS and TPP shared very similar trends for summer and winter diapausing pupae. Their enzyme activities were consistent with the gene expressions. Trehalose concentrations in summer- and winter-diapausing pupae were lower at the initial phase (4.37–5.09 μg/mg) but increased gradually and peaked in the maintenance phase (10.59–14.36 μg/mg); the concentrations then declined in the quiescence phase. We speculated that a higher trehalose content during the maintenance stage may contribute to protein and/or biological membrane stabilization in winter or to desiccation resistance in the summertime. Diapause termination requires a decrease in the trehalose concentration to promote pupal–adult development. The glucose content also varied during the diapausing processes. Our results provide an overview of the differential expression levels of trehalose metabolic enzymes, confirming the important roles of trehalose in diapausing pupae of the onion maggot. Further work remains to explore its actual functions.

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