| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4557818 | Journal of Invertebrate Pathology | 2013 | 5 Pages |
•Bt challenge induced ApoLp-III mRNA up-regulation in Tc larvae.•ApoLp-III is involved in Tc defense against Bt.•ApoLp-III activates the prophenoloxidase cascade in Tc immune response to Bt.
In this study, a 2.1-fold Apolipophorin-III mRNA up-regulation was found in Tribolium castaneum larvae challenged with Bacillus thuringiensis Cry3Ba spore–crystal mixture. Knockdown of Apolipophorin-III by RNAi resulted in increased T. castaneum larvae susceptibility following Cry3Ba spore–crystal treatment, demonstrating Apolipophorin-III involvement in insect defense against B. thuringiensis. We showed that Apolipophorin-III participates in T. castaneum immune response to B. thuringiensis activating the prophenoloxidase cascade since: (i) phenoloxidase activity significantly increased after Cry3Ba spore–crystal treatment compared to untreated or Cry1Ac spore–crystal treated larvae and (ii) phenoloxidase activity in Cry3Ba spore–crystal treated Apolipophorin-III silenced larvae was 71 ± 14% lower than that of non-silenced intoxicated larvae.
Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide
