A proteomic analysis of short-term exposure to fipronil in larvae of Plutella xylostella

This study aimed at analyzing the short-term physiological response of Plutella xylostella L. (Diamondback moth), an insect pest of vegetables, to fipronil using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry. Protein expression in this insect was observed at 8,16 and 24 h after a fipronil treatment. Differential expression was examined for 20 protein spots, among which nine spots were down-regulated, seven spots were up-regulated and four spots were expressed only in the treated group. 17 protein spots were successfully identified, including proteins that participated in the immune response and in other metabolic pathways, cytoskeletal proteins and molecular chaperones. Differences in the expression of these proteins suggest that P. xylostella created general changes in the immune response, metabolic level and many other characteristics in response to the pesticide. This study could facilitate our better understanding of the physiological response of P. xylostella to pesticides. Key words: Diamondback moth, fipronil, toxicity response, two-dimensional gel electrophoresis