Functional characterization of chitin synthesis pathway genes, HaAGM and HaUAP, reveal their crucial roles in ecdysis and survival of Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner)

The chitin metabolic pathway is one of the most lucrative targets for designing pest management regimes. Inhibition of the chitin synthesis pathway causes detrimental effects on the normal growth and development of insects. Phospho-N-acetylglucosamine mutase (AGM) and UDP-N-acetylglucosamine pyrophosphorylase (UAP) are two key chitin biosynthesis enzymes in insects including Helicoverpa armigera, a pest of global significance. In the present study, we have identified, cloned and recombinantly expressed AGM and UAP from H. armigera (HaAGM and HaUAP). Biochemical characterization of recombinant HaAGM and HaUAP exhibited high affinities for their natural substrates N-acetyl glucosamine-6-phosphate (Km 38.72 ± 2.41) and N-acetyl glucosamine-1-phosphate (Km 3.66 ± 0.13), respectively. In the coupled enzyme-catalytic assay, HaAGM and HaUAP yielded the end-products, inorganic pyrophosphate and UDP-GlcNAc, confirming their active participation in the chitin synthesis pathway of H. armigera. Gene expression profiling revealed that HaAGM and HaUAP genes were expressed in all developmental stages and key tissues. These genes also showed substantial responses towards the moulting hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone and chitin biosynthesis inhibitor, novaluron. Remarkably, the RNAi-mediated knockdown of either HaAGM or HaUAP led to severe developmental deformities and significant mortality ranging from 65.61 to 72.54%. Overall findings suggest that HaAGM and HaUAP play crucial roles in the ecdysis and survival of H. armigera. Further, these genes could serve as potential targets for designing pest management strategies for H. armigera.