Genome-wide identification and expression profiling of Mapkk genes in Aquatica leii provide insights into their possible roles in development and responses to insecticide and antibiotic stresses
5 affiliations
- 1College of Forestry and Biotechnology, Zhejiang Agricultural and Forestry University, Hangzhou, 311300 China
- 2Zhoushan Forestry Bureau, Zhoushan, 316000 China
- 3Chengdu University of Information Technology, Chengdu, 610225 China
- 4College of Life Sciences, Huzhou Normal University, Huzhou, 313000 China
- 5College of Life Sciences, Leshan Normal University, Leshan, 614004 China
Abstract
Background: Mitogen-activated protein kinase kinases (Mapkks) are pivotal signaling hubs within the evolutionarily conserved Mapk cascade, governing essential processes such as development and stress adaptation in insects. Fireflies, serving as critical ecological indicators, are experiencing global population declines, primarily due to escalating anthropogenic pressures including widespread pesticide and antibiotic pollution. Despite their ecological significance and vulnerability, the molecular defense mechanisms in fireflies, particularly the role of the Mapkk family, remain virtually unexplored. Here, we present the first genome-wide study of Mapkk genes in the aquatic firefly Aquatica leii.
Results: We identified four Almapkk genes and revealed their evolutionary conservation and lineage-specific features through phylogenetic and structural analyses. Expression profiling revealed that these genes exhibit stage-specific and sexually dimorphic patterns during development, with a pronounced female-biased expression in adults. Under prolonged exposure to environmental antibiotics (levofloxacin and oxytetracycline), Almapkk7 were consistently suppressed. In contrast, acute insecticide (imidacloprid) stress triggered a biphasic, time-shifted response across the family, characterized by an early suppression phase and a subsequent coordinated transcriptional activation.
Conclusions: These findings establish a foundational molecular resource for Mapkks in fireflies and provide a framework for understanding their potential roles in tailoring responses against different classes of environmental threats, offering insights into the adaptive mechanisms of this vulnerable insect group.
Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at https://doi.org/10.1186/s12864-026-13258-w.
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BibTeX
@article{li2026genomewide,
title = {{Genome-wide identification and expression profiling of Mapkk genes in Aquatica leii provide insights into their possible roles in development and responses to insecticide and antibiotic stresses}},
author = {Jiapeng Li and Zhuan Lu and Jiani Lin and Chao Liu and Wanghua Wang and Lingxia Miao and Qimeng Wang and He Lv and Yonggui Qian and Chengquan Cao and Yiping Wang},
journal = {BMC Genomics},
year = {2026},
month = aug,
doi = {10.1186/s12864-026-13258-w},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1186/s12864-026-13258-w},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Genome-wide identification and expression profiling of Mapkk genes in Aquatica leii provide insights into their possible roles in development and responses to insecticide and antibiotic stresses
AU - Jiapeng Li
AU - Zhuan Lu
AU - Jiani Lin
AU - Chao Liu
AU - Wanghua Wang
AU - Lingxia Miao
AU - Qimeng Wang
AU - He Lv
AU - Yonggui Qian
AU - Chengquan Cao
AU - Yiping Wang
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/08/12
JO - BMC Genomics
DO - 10.1186/s12864-026-13258-w
UR - https://doi.org/10.1186/s12864-026-13258-w
AB - Background: Mitogen-activated protein kinase kinases (Mapkks) are pivotal signaling hubs within the evolutionarily conserved Mapk cascade, governing essential processes such as development and stress adaptation in insects. Fireflies, serving as critical ecological indicators, are experiencing global population declines, primarily due to escalating anthropogenic pressures including widespread pesticide and antibiotic pollution. Despite their ecological significance and vulnerability, the molecular defense mechanisms in fireflies, particularly the role of the Mapkk family, remain virtually unexplored. Here, we present the first genome-wide study of Mapkk genes in the aquatic firefly Aquatica leii. Results: We identified four Almapkk genes and revealed their evolutionary conservation and lineage-specific features through phylogenetic and structural analyses. Expression profiling revealed that these genes exhibit stage-specific and sexually dimorphic patterns during development, with a pronounced female-biased expression in adults. Under prolonged exposure to environmental antibiotics (levofloxacin and oxytetracycline), Almapkk7 were consistently suppressed. In contrast, acute insecticide (imidacloprid) stress triggered a biphasic, time-shifted response across the family, characterized by an early suppression phase and a subsequent coordinated transcriptional activation. Conclusions: These findings establish a foundational molecular resource for Mapkks in fireflies and provide a framework for understanding their potential roles in tailoring responses against different classes of environmental threats, offering insights into the adaptive mechanisms of this vulnerable insect group. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at https://doi.org/10.1186/s12864-026-13258-w.
SN - 1471-2164
ER -