# Gut Microbe‐Driven Resistance Mechanisms in Propylea Japonica: Insights from Horizontal Gene Transfer and Oxidative Phosphorylation

## TL;DR

Gut microbes help a natural enemy insect resist pesticides through a horizontally transferred gene that affects energy production.

## Contribution

The study provides the first experimental evidence that horizontal gene transfer contributes to pesticide tolerance in a natural enemy insect.

## Key findings

- The gene PjDUF1, horizontally transferred from Acinetobacter, regulates dinotefuran tolerance in Propylea japonica.
- RNAi silencing of PjDUF1 confirms its role in modulating oxidative phosphorylation and pesticide resistance.
- Horizontal gene transfer is shown to play a key role in the evolution of resistance in beneficial insect species.

## Abstract

Insect–microbial symbiont relationships are widespread in nature and often involve lateral gene transfer. Although the evolutionary processes that allow insects to adapt to complex environments remain largely unknown, it is clear that symbiotic relationships have essential roles in these processes. Here, gut microbes‐mediated regulation of Propylea japonica insecticide tolerance is found through modulation of a horizontally transferred gene (P. japonica Domain unknow funcation 1, PjDUF1) expression. However, this gene regulates the host capacity for dinotefuran tolerance by affecting the oxidative phosphorylation rate. This is confirmed by the RNAi‐Mediated Silencing of PjDUF1. Importantly, evidence is found that PjDUF1 is donated from Acenitobacter via horizontal gene transfer (HGT). The findings provide the first experimental evidence that HGT events are important for pesticide tolerance in a prominent natural enemy species. Further study of the evolutionary origins of key natural enemy tolerance genes will shed additional light on how insects have developed resistance to adverse environments, suggesting strategies for protecting insect species that provide critical ecosystem services.

Acinetobacter regulates dinotefuran tolerance in Propylea japonica by mediating the expression of the horizontally transferred gene PjDUF1.