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G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the largest and most diverse transmembrane receptor family in the cell. They are involved in regulating a wide range of biological processes, including behavior, reproduction, and development. However, GPCRs have not yet been identified in Zeugodacus cucurbitae. The current study focuses on the GPCRs identification, classification, distribution, and their expression analysis under β-cypermethrin stress to uncover novel targets for pest management and assist in the development of effective strategies for controlling the melon fly population. We identified 80 GPCRs genes including 50 GPCRs identified in family A, 17 GPCRs identified in family B, 8 identified in family C, and 5 identified in family F. Z. cucurbitae GPCRs showed significant differences in both the number of genes in families or subfamilies, as well as the sequencing of the genes. Interestingly, newly identified GPCRs genes are expressed differently at various developmental stages of Z. cucurbitae. Further, we evaluated these 80 GPCRs using Realtime quantitative PCR to confirm their expression between β-cypermethrin-resistant (RS) strain and susceptible strain (SS) of Z. cucurbitae. We identified 50 GPCR genes were highly overexpressed in a RS. Among these genes, eight genes were strongly induced by the 30% lethal concentration (LC) while two genes were significantly increased by the 50% LC of β-cypermethrin. This first genome-wide profiling and characterization of GPCRs could lay foundation for unraveling detoxification mechanism and target site modifications which may improve the insect resistance and could be effective insecticide targets for Z. cucurbitae management. [Display omitted] • Eighty G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) proteins were identified in the genome of Zeugodacus cucurbitae • The GPCRs were divided into four main sub-families: A (50), B (18), C (7) and F (5) • The 80 GPCR proteins share a common conserved motif 5 (YGJIFIVGILGNLLVIIVVV) • Majority of GPCRs were highly expressed in the β-cypermethrin -resistant (RR) strain of Z. cucurbitae relative to the susceptible strain (SS) • Eight GPCR genes (MFZC67, MFZC68, MFZC66, MFZC63, MFZC1, MFZC71, MFZC25, and MFZC42) showed differential response to 48 h of exposure to 30 and 50% lethal concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The polysaccharide of Opuntia ficus indica Mill. was isolated by water, and purified by Sephacryl S-400 HR column. The purity of polysaccharide was evaluated by HPLC coupled with gel permeation chromatography. Results showed that the neutral monosaccharide composition of O. ficus indica polysaccharide was rhamnose, arabinose, and glucose in a molar ratio of 1.00:2.98:2.57, with an average molecular weight of about 172,591Da. Further, its antioxidant capacities in vitro were respectively evaluated by the assays of inhibition of pyrogallol autoxidation, scavenging hydroxyl radical, and liver lipid peroxidation inhibiting. The crude water-soluble polysaccharide and purified polysaccharide showed notable free radical scavenging activity and hydroxyl radical-induced liver lipid peroxidation inhibiting ability, suggesting that O. ficus indica polysaccharide may be considered as a potential candidate for the natural antioxidants and possible health-promoting functional foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]