Identification of immune-related genes from the transcriptome of the venom gland in Cotesia plutellae

Abstract

Cotesia plutellae, an endoparasitoid wasp is the natural enemy against the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella. Successful parasitization of C. plutellae requires maternal factors such as polydnavirus, venom proteins, and ovary proteins into the host, protecting their eggs from the host's immune system. To identify the immune-related genes from the venom glands, we analyzed the transcriptome of venom glands via RNA-seq. RNA-seq analysis reveals that 39,207 transcripts were identified. Totally 106 immune-related genes such as peptidoglycan-recognition proteins, serpins, spätzles, phenoloxidase, defensin, and calreticulin, etc. were identified and classified into pathogen recognition, immune signal modulation, Toll pathway, IMD pathway, effectors, and other immune genes, depending on their biological functions. These results suggest that the transcriptome of the venom glands of C. plutellae can expand the understanding of insect immune response.