Abstract
Natalisins (NTLs) are conservative neuropeptides, which are only found in arthropods and are documented to regulate reproductive behaviors in insects. In our previous study, we have confirmed that NTLs regulate the reproductive process in an important agricultural pest, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel). Hence, in this study, to further confirm the in vivo function of NTL receptor (NTLR) and assess the potential of NTLR as an insecticide target, RNA interference targeting NTLR mRNA was performed. We found that mating frequencies of both males and females were reduced by RNAi-mediated knockdown of the NTLR transcript, while there was no effect on mating duration. Moreover, we functionally expressed the B. dorsalis NTLR in Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells and was co-transfected with an aequorin reporter to measure ligand activities. A total of 13 biostable multi-Aib analogs were tested for agonistic and antagonistic activities. While most of these NTL analogs did not show strong activity, one analog (NLFQV[Aib]DPFF[Aib]TRamide) had moderate antagonistic activity. Taken together, we provided evidence for the important roles of NTLR in regulating mating frequencies of both male and female in this fly and also provided in vitro data on mimetic analogs that serve as leading structures for the development of agonists and antagonists to disrupt the NTL signaling pathway.