Effect of Citrullus colocynthis L. (Cucurbitaceae) agglutinin on gene expression of caspases in Ectomyelois ceratoniae Zeller (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)

• Main Authors: S. Ramzi, A. Sahragard, J.J. Sendi, A. Aalami
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: PAGEPress Publications 2016-12-01
• Series: Journal of Entomological and Acarological Research
• Subjects: Ectomyelois ceratoniae; Citrullus colocynthis; lectin; life table.
• Online Access: http://www.pagepressjournals.org/index.php/jear/article/view/5699

The larvae of <em>Ectomyelois ceratoniae</em> Zeller were reared on the artificial diets containing 2% of <em>Citrullus colocynthis</em> L. (Cucurbitaceae) lectin and control to find any changes in gene expression of caspases. Specific primers were designed to amplify genes of six found caspases including <em>Caspase</em> 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. RNA of both treatments were extracted and cDNA molecules were synthesized prior to gene expression. Results of quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction revealed that expression of all caspases in the fed larvae by 2% of lectin increased in comparison with control except for caspase 1 as 2.99, 5.7, 17.13, 23.18, 10.44-fold. These results are consistent with our previous studies on the lower activities of digestive enzymes that are due to death of midgut cells followed by binding of lectin molecule.