Targeting the 20E-responsive miR-2788-Treh1 axis disrupts chitin biosynthesis and ovarian development in the grassland pest Galeruca daurica

  • Pest Manag Sci. 2026 Jun 16. doi: 10.1002/ps.71037.
Mingze Shan  #  1 ,  Wenbing Zhang  #  1 ,  Haichao Wang  1 ,  Baoping Pang  1 ,  Haibin Han  1 ,  Ling Li  1 ,  Zhijia Huo  1 ,  Yanmin Shan  2 ,  Yanhua Ji  2 ,  Ruiwen Dong  3 ,  Zhipeng Sun  4 ,  Yanyan Li  1 ,  Shujing Gao  5
Affiliations
  • 1. Research Center for Grassland Entomology, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China.
  • 2. Inner Mongolia Forestry and Grassland Pest Control and Quarantine Station, Hohhot, China.
  • 3. Siziwang Grassland Station in Wulanchabu City, Wulanchabu, China.
  • 4. Grassland Station of Xianghuang Banner, Xianghuang Banner, Xilinhot, China.
  • 5. Key Laboratory of Biohazard Monitoring, Green Prevention and Control for Artificial Grassland, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Grassland Research of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hohhot, China.
  • # Contributed equally.
PMID: 42299103 DOI: 10.1002/ps.71037
Abstract

Background: 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) coordinates insect reproductive development through extensive metabolic reprogramming. However, the post-transcriptional mechanisms linking hormonal signaling to carbohydrate metabolism during reproductive maturation remain poorly understood in insect pests.

Results: We identified a novel 20E-miR-2788-Treh1 regulatory axis in Galeruca daurica. Developmental profiling revealed an inverse relationship between miR-2788 and Treh1 expression. Overexpression of miR-2788 or RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated silencing of Treh1 caused trehalose accumulation, reduced expression of chitin biosynthesis genes, and impaired ovarian development. In females, 20E treatment suppressed miR-2788 expression and increased Treh1 expression, thereby promoting ovarian maturation. Similar reproductive defects were induced by the trehalase inhibitor validamycin.

Conclusion: These findings suggest that 20E- reproductive miR-2788-Treh1 module contributes, at least in part, to the regulation of reproductive maturation through the -mediate control of trehalose metabolism. The 20E-miR-2788-Treh1 axis represents an important metabolic checkpoint linking endocrine signaling with reproductive development and provides potential molecular targets for environmentally friendly pest management strategies. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.

Keywords
20‐hydroxyecdysone; Galeruca daurica; adult development; chitin synthesis; microRNA; pest management; trehalase.
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