Characterization and functional analysis of chitinase family genes involved in nymph–adult transition of Sogatella furcifera

Abstract Chitinase degrades chitin in the old epidermis or peritrophic matrix of insects, which ensures normal development and metamorphosis. In our previous work, we comprehensively studied the function of SfCht7 in Sogatella furcifera . However, the number and function of chitinase genes in S . furcifera remain unknown. Here, we identified 12 full‐length chitinase transcripts from S . furcifera , which included nine chitinase ( Cht ), two imaginal disc growth factor ( IDGF ), and one endo‐ β ‐N‐acetylglucosaminidase ( ENGase ) genes. Expression analysis results revealed that the expression levels of eight genes ( SfCht3 , SfCht5 , SfCht6‐1 , SfCht6‐2 , SfCht7 , SfCht8 , SfCht10 , and SfIDGF2 ) with similar transcript levels peaked prior to molting of each nymph and were highly expressed in the integument. Based on RNA interference (RNAi), description of the functions of each chitinase gene indicated that the silencing of SfCht5 , SfCht10 , and SfIDGF2 led to molting defects and lethality. RNAi inhibited the expressions of SfCht5 , SfCht7 , SfCht10 , and SfIDGF2 , which led to downregulated expressions of chitin synthase 1 ( SfCHS1 , SfCHS1a , and SfCHS1b ) and four chitin deacetylase genes ( SfCDA1 , SfCDA2 , SfCDA3 , and SfCDA4 ), and caused a change in the expression level of two trehalase genes ( TRE1 and TRE2 ). Furthermore, silencing of SfCht7 induced a significant decrease in the expression levels of three wing development‐related genes ( SfWG , SfDpp , and SfHh ). In conclusion, SfCht5 , SfCht7 , SfCht10 , and SfIDGF2 play vital roles in nymph–adult transition and are involved in the regulation of chitin metabolism, and SfCht7 is also involved in wing development; therefore, these genes are potential targets for control of S . furcifera .