Protein N-glycosylation is sex-related in Nilaparvata lugens adults

ABSTRACT: Nilaparvata lugens, or the brown planthopper, is one of the most notorious pest insects of cultured rice, and a model for hemimetabolous development. Recently, the N-glycome of N. lugens was explored throughout post-embryonic development and reproductive stages, which revealed differential protein N-glycosylation events between adult sexes. Identifying the proteins carrying these differential carbohydrate structures would point to the functionality of sex-dependent N-glycosylation. Furthermore, potential effects of the adult wing type on protein N-glycosylation are of interest. Here, a comprehensive investigation of the N-glycosylation sites from the adult stages of N. lugens was conducted, allowing a qualitative and quantitative comparison between sexes and wing forms at the glycopeptide level. N-glycopeptide enrichment using the N-glyco-FASP method with the high mannose/paucimannose-binding lectin Concanavalin A, or the Rhizoctonia solani agglutinin which interacts with complex N-glycans led to the identification of over 1,300 N-glycosylation sites derived from over 600 glycoproteins. Comparison of these N-glycopeptides revealed striking differences in protein N-glycosylation between sexes, while almost no differences were observed between wing types. Male- and female-specific N-glycosylation sites were identified, and some of these sex-specific N-glycosites were shown to be derived from proteins with a putative role in insect reproduction. Transcript expression experiments with complete insects and insect tissues confirmed the sex-related N-glycosylation of proteins, and expression of glycoproteins in reproductive tissues. In conclusion, this study provides original data on N-glycosylation sites of N. lugens adults, providing novel insights into planthopper’s biology and revealing that protein N-glycosylation is sex-related in this insect.

INSTRUMENT(S): Q Exactive

ORGANISM(S): Nilaparvata Lugens

TISSUE(S): Whole Body

SUBMITTER: An Staes  

LAB HEAD: Guy Smagghe

PROVIDER: PXD013657 | Pride | 2020-01-16

REPOSITORIES: Pride