Expression and function of two olfactory-related genes in response to methyl salicylate in the wolf spider Pardosa pseudoannulata (Araneae: Lycosidae)

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Expression and function of two olfactory-related genes in response to methyl salicylate in the wolf spider Pardosa pseudoannulata (Araneae: Lycosidae)

The wolf spider (Pardosa pseudoannulata) is common in rice fields. Olfaction is crucial for perceiving chemical information, and our previous research indicated that methyl salicylate (MeSA), a common herbivore-induced plant volatile (HIPV), significantly attracts P. pseudoannulata. However, few studies have examined the functions of spiders' olfactory-related genes and their interactions with HIPVs. This study aimed to identify olfactory-related genes associated with MeSA in P. pseudoannulata. Transcriptome analysis revealed four differentially expressed olfactory-related genes in response to MeSA in P. pseudoannulata. Subsequent molecular docking analysis indicated that MeSA had a strong predicted binding affinity with proteins of two key olfactory-related genes (PpseNPC2-7 and PpseSNMP2). These two genes were cloned, and their expression patterns were investigated in various body parts of male and female spiders. PpseNPC2-7 and PpseSNMP2 showed significantly higher expression in leg I, pedipalps, and cephalothorax compared to the abdomen in both males and females. Following RNA interference treatment targeting PpseNPC2-7 in females and PpseSNMP2 in males, Y-type olfactory choice experiments revealed a significantly reduced preference for MeSA in dsRNA-treated spiders. Additionally, notable declines in relative electrophysiological responses were observed in five body parts (pedipalps, cephalothorax, leg I, leg II, and leg IV) in dsRNA-treated male and female spiders. These findings demonstrate the significant roles of the PpseNPC2-7 and PpseSNMP2 genes in MeSA recognition by P. pseudoannulata and lay a strong foundation for further exploration into the olfactory molecular mechanisms underlying HIPV responses in spiders.

WANG, Z., Cong-Cong, L., XIAO, F., ZHU, J., ZHANG, H., ZHANG, S., ... LIU, T. (2026). Expression and function of two olfactory-related genes in response to methyl salicylate in the wolf spider Pardosa pseudoannulata (Araneae: Lycosidae). EJE, 123, Article 233-247. https://doi.org/10.14411/eje.2026.023