Postnatal Wing Morph of Pea Aphids Regulates Hemolymph Trehalose Levels

Abstract

Trehalose, a nonreducing disaccharide composed of two glucose molecules, functions as a critical energy source in various insect tissues and organs and is the predominant sugar component of the hemolymph. The pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum, exhibits higher hemolymph trehalose levels than other insects. However, the dynamics of hemolymph trehalose levels throughout its life stages remain unclear owing to the challenges associated with obtaining hemolymph from these small insects. Therefore, this study was conducted to quantify hemolymph trehalose levels in A. pisum using a fluorescent trehalose sensor (Tre-C04), which enhances green fluorescent protein fluorescence through the binding of trehalose to a ligand-binding protein fused to the fluorophore. Trehalose levels were successfully quantified in minimal hemolymph samples from individual aphids, with measurements spanning from the first nymphal stage to the adult stage in both the winged and wingless forms of A. pisum. Hemolymph trehalose levels remained relatively stable throughout the life cycle but exhibited a gradual increase with each developmental stage. Notably, adult winged aphids exhibited significantly higher hemolymph trehalose levels than wingless aphids. Given that wing morph determination occurs early in the nymphal stage, these findings suggest that hemolymph trehalose levels are regulated post-wing morph development. Further investigation of the expression of genes associated with trehalose metabolism revealed that trehalose phosphate synthase 2 levels were downregulated in early-stage wingless adults, whereas insulin-related peptide 5 levels were upregulated in wingless aphids. These findings indicate that A. pisum synthesizes trehalose during the winged adult stage to serve as an energy source for flight.