Male accessory gland proteins in Grapholita molesta: Identification and reproductive functional validation of four accessory gland-specific lipases.

Yu Liang; Zhuo Wu; Tai Guo; Fang Zhu; Ruolan He; Ruiyan Ma; Huiming Xiang; Jie Cheng

doi:10.1016/j.cbd.2026.101958

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Male accessory gland proteins in Grapholita molesta: Identification and reproductive functional validation of four accessory gland-specific lipases.

Yu Liang·Zhuo Wu·Tai Guo·Fang Zhu·Ruolan He·Ruiyan Ma·Huiming Xiang·Jie Cheng

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Abstract

Accessory gland proteins (Acps), synthesized in the male accessory glands (AGs), are transferred to females via spermatophores during mating and elicit diverse post-mating physiological and behavioral responses. However, Acps have not been comprehensively characterized in Grapholita molesta, a cosmopolitan orchard pest. Here, using data-independent acquisition mass spectrometry, we describe an integrated proteomic approach combining comparative AG analyses (virgin vs. newly mated) with spermatophore profiling to identify Acps in G. molesta. According to the established screening criteria, we identified 83 confirmed Acps, which were classified into nine categories. Tissue-specific expression patterns of 20 randomly selected Acp genes were evaluated, revealing that these genes were specifically or highly expressed in male AGs. Among the 83 confirmed Acps, four Acps harbored the PLN02872 superfamily domain and were classified into the canonical lipase family. Notably, their transcripts were all highly expressed in the AGs during the pre-maturation stage. These four Acps were selected for preliminary validation of their male reproductive functions. RNAi-mediated knockdown of three out of four lipase genes in G. molesta males significantly decreased the fertility of mated females, with phenotypes including a significant reduction in egg production and egg hatching rate. This study provides a comprehensive catalog of high-confidence Acps, lays a foundation for subsequent in-depth functional characterization of these reproductive proteins, and offers promising molecular targets for the development of novel genetic regulation-based integrated pest management strategies.

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Animals Male Lipase Reproduction Insect Proteins Female RNA Interference Proteomics Coleoptera Accessory gland proteins Grapholita molesta Lipases RNA interference Journal Article

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Yu Liang, Zhuo Wu, Tai Guo, Fang Zhu, Ruolan He, Ruiyan Ma, Huiming Xiang, Jie Cheng. 2026-07-29. Male accessory gland proteins in Grapholita molesta: Identification and reproductive functional validation of four accessory gland-specific lipases.. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbd.2026.101958

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Journal Article resource Accessory gland proteins subject Animals subject Coleoptera subject Female subject Grapholita molesta subject Insect Proteins subject Journal Article subject Lipase subject Lipases subject Male subject

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