Title:	Transcriptomic and proteomic signatures underlying nymphal adaptation and foam production in the forage pest Mahanarva spectabilis.
Authors:	BONJOUR, M. da S. RINALDI, A. J. SANTOS, E. G. D. dos FARIA, G. T. B. MANHAES, A. M. E. de A. PEREIRA, J. F. AUAD, A. M. OLIVEIRA, M. G. de A. RAMOS, H. J. de O.
Affiliation:	MONIQUE DA SILVA BONJOUR, UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DE VIÇOSA; ANGELO JOSÉ RINALDI, UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DE VIÇOSA; EULÁLIO GUTEMBERG DIAS DOS SANTOS, UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DE VIÇOSA; GABRIELY TEIXEIRA BHERING FARIA, UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DE VIÇOSA; ANA MÁRCIA ESCOCARD DE AZEVEDO MANHAES, UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DE VIÇOSA; JORGE FERNANDO PEREIRA, CNPGL; ALEXANDER MACHADO AUAD, CNPGL; MARIA GORETI DE ALMEIDA OLIVEIRA, UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DE VIÇOSA; HUMBERTO JOSUÉ DE OLIVEIRA RAMOS, UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DE VIÇOSA.
Date Issued:	2026
Citation:	Insect Molecular Biology, 2026.
Description:	The spittlebug Mahanarva spectabilis (Distant, 1909) (Hemiptera: Cercopidae) is an important pest of forage grasses in South America, where its nymphs cause pasture damage by feeding on xylem sap and producing a characteristic foam that protects them against environmental stressors. To investigate the molecular basis of this adaptation, we integrated RNA-seq analysis of nymphs with LC–MS/MS proteomics of the Batelli gland, the primary source of foam secretion. De novo assembly of 100,666 unigenes revealed broad functional diversity, with strong representation of detoxification enzymes (CYP450s, GSTs, UGTs, carboxylesterases), transporters and ion pumps, cuticle proteins, and stress- and immunity-related genes. Nearly 16% of loci exhibited alternative splicing, particularly within detoxification, chemosensory and osmoregulatory gene families, highlighting evidence of transcriptomic variability. Signal peptide and secreted protein predictions identified 168 high-confidence candidate secreted proteins, including detoxification enzymes, proteases, structural proteins and immune-related factors, several of which are consistent with antimicrobial and surfactant-related functions. Proteomic profiling of the Batelli gland confirmed 500 proteins, enriched in chaperones, metabolic enzymes, detoxification pathways and osmoregulatory components, with the most abundant proteins corresponding to Hsp70 chaperones, ATP synthases, cuticle proteins and carbonic anhydrases. Together, these results provide an integrative transcriptomic and proteomic overview for M. spectabilis nymphs, highlighting genes and proteins associated with xylem feeding, foam production and responses potentially related to environmental stress tolerance. This comprehensive dataset not only advances the understanding of spittlebug biology but also identifies candidate molecular targets that may inform innovative strategies for controlling nymphal stages and mitigating spittlebug damage in forage systems.
Thesagro:	Cigarrinha das Pastagens Praga de Planta Gramínea Forrageira Inseto Enzima
Keywords:	Destoxificação Proteômica Transcriptômica
DOI:	http://doi.org/10.1111/imb.70050
Notes:	First online.
Type of Material:	Artigo de periódico
Access:	openAccess
Appears in Collections:	Artigo em periódico indexado (CNPGL)