Transcriptomic response of Colorado potato beetle larvae to Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium robertsii infections. Supplementary data.

The Colorado potato beetle (CPB) is a well-known pest of potato. The fungi Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium robertsii are its natural pathogens and can be used for biocontrol. However, the immunity of the CPB in response to fungal infections is poorly understood. In this study, we performed transcriptomic analysis in hemocytes and fat body of CPB larvae topically infected with B. bassiana and M. robertsii at the stage of pathogen encapsulation. In addition, qPCR gene expression verification and a physiological and biochemical tests were performed. It was found that the most diverse and pathogen-specific response in gene expression is observed in hemocytes. The results of GO enrichment and immune related gene expression indicate a stronger antifungal response to M. robertsii , while beetles infected with B. bassiana demonstrate a higher level of protection from self-damage. Differences between infections are related with expression of certain receptor genes, serine proteases, serpins, Toll signaling components, antimicrobial peptides, chitin deacetylases, odorant binding proteins. We discuss that the differences in the immune response are mainly associated with the fungal enzymatic machinery, toxic metabolites and pigments. The identified DEGs may be potential targets for detailed study of immune signaling cascades and the development of bioproducts based on RNA interference and natural pathogens. Supplementary tables: Table S1. List of genes and primers for qPCR. Table S2. Extended gene annotation and the results of differential gene expression analysis in hemocytes and the fat body of Colorado potato beetle larvae in response to fungal infections. Table S3. Gene Ontology enrichment analysis of differentially expressed genes in hemocytes and the fat body of Colorado potato beetle larvae in response to fungal infections. Table S4. Differential expression of immune-related genes in hemocytes and the fat body of Colorado potato beetle larvae in response to fungal infections. Extended gene annotation is ...