CRISPR/Cas9-Based Functional Characterization of SfUGT50A15 Reveals Its Roles in the Resistance of Spodoptera frugiperda to Chlorantraniliprole, Emamectin Benzoate, and Benzoxazinoids.

Simple Summary: Uridine diphosphate (UDP)-glycosyltransferases (UGTs) are significant phase II detoxification enzymes in insects. In this study, we have utilized CRISPR/Cas9 to generate SfUGT50A15 knockout strains to explore its possible function in governing sensitivity to chemical insecticides or benzoxazinoids. The bioassay results indicated that the SfUGT50A15 knockout strains were significantly more sensitive to chlorantraniliprole, emamectin benzoate, and benzoxazinoids than the wild-type strains. This finding highlights the involvement of SfUGT50A15 in the resistance of Spodoptera frugiperda to chlorantraniliprole, emamectin benzoate, and benzoxazinoids. This study not only presents new molecular targets for controlling S. frugiperda but also establishes a foundation for the control of lepidopteran pests. UDP-glycosyltransferases (UGTs) are a diverse superfamily of enzymes. Insects utilize uridine diphosphate-glucose (UDP-glucose) as a glycosyl donor for glycosylation in vivo, involved in the glycosylation of lipophilic endosymbionts and xenobiotics, including phytotoxins. UGTs act as second-stage detoxification metabolizing enzymes, which are essential for the detoxification metabolism of insecticides and benzoxazine compounds. However, the UGT genes responsible for specific glycosylation functions in S. frugiperda are unclear at present. In this study, we utilized CRISPR/Cas9 to produce a SfUGT50A15-KO strain to explore its possible function in governing sensitivity to chemical insecticides or benzoxazinoids. The bioassay results suggested that the SfUGT50A15-KO strain was significantly more sensitive to chlorantraniliprole, emamectin benzoate, and benzoxazinoids than the wild-type strains. This finding suggests that the overexpression of the SfUGT50A15 gene may be linked to S. frugiperda resistance to pesticides (chlorantraniliprole and emamectin benzoate) as well as benzoxazinoids (BXDs). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]