Functional complexity of Parthenium beetle, Zygogramma bicolorata (Pallister) under thermal-stress conditions: Insights from Gene Ontology

• Published in: Journal of Asia-Pacific entomology Vol. 28; no. 2; pp. 102425 - 11
• Main Authors: Patel, Arvind Kumar, Kumar, Bhupendra
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.06.2025; 한국응용곤충학회
• Subjects: Gene Ontology; Parthenium beetle; Protein profiling; Thermal stress; 농학; Thermal stress; Protein profiling; Parthenium beetle; Gene Ontology
• ISSN: 1226-8615; 1876-7790
• DOI: 10.1016/j.aspen.2025.102425

[Display omitted] •Temperature-induced stress in Parthenium beetle was studied at 15, 25 and 35 °C.•620 proteins were identified at 15 °C, 334 at 25 °C and 603 at 15 °C.•Analysis revealed overexpression of 196 proteins at 15 °C and 180 proteins at 35 °C.•Study provides insights into distinct molecular pathways against cold/heat stress. We analyzed protein expression profiles in Parthenium beetles exposed to cold (15 °C), optimal (25 °C), and heat (35 °C) temperatures. The beetle is an effective biocontrol agent against the invasive Parthenium weed. We identified 620 proteins under cold stress, 334 proteins at the optimal temperature, and 603 proteins under heat stress, with 181 proteins common to all three temperature conditions. Compared to the 106 proteins expressed at the optimal temperature, 196 proteins were overexpressed under cold stress, while 180 proteins were overexpressed under heat stress. Under cold stress, significant Gene Ontology (GO) terms for molecular functions included pyridoxal phosphate binding, pyrophosphatase activity, and RNA helicase activity. Enriched cellular component terms were trans-Golgi network transport vesicle, endosome, and small ribosomal subunit. Biological processes emphasized small molecule biosynthesis, protein refolding, and carbohydrate metabolism. Under heat stress, significant GO terms for molecular functions involved proton transmembrane transporter activity, poly-A binding, and oxidoreductase activity. Cellular component terms included cytosol, coated vesicle, and nucleosome. Biological processes highlighted regulation of cellular stress response, primary active transmembrane transport, and heterochromatin formation. These findings reveal distinct protein sets and associated functions under thermal stress, providing insights into the beetle’s molecular mechanisms of thermal adaptation. The enriched GO terms indicate activation of different molecular pathways in response to cold and heat stress, involving various metabolic, transport, and stress response processes.