Development associated profiling of chitinase and microRNA of Helicoverpa armigera identified chitinase repressive microRNA

Expression of chitinase is developmentally regulated in insects in consonance with their molting process. During the larval-larval metamorphosis in Helicoverpa armigera, chitinase gene expression varies from high to negligible. In the five-day metamorphic course of fifth-instar larvae, chitinase transcript is least abundant on third day and maximal on fifth day. MicroRNA library prepared from these highest and lowest chitinase-expressing larval stages resulted in isolation of several miRNAs. In silico analysis of sequenced miRNAs revealed three miRNAs having sequence similarity to 3′UTR of chitinase. Gene-targeted specific action of these miRNAs, was investigated by luciferase reporter having 3′UTR of chitinase. Only one of three miRNAs, miR-24, inhibited luciferase expression. Further, a day-wise in vivo quantification of miR-24 in fifth-instar larvae revealed a negative correlation with corresponding chitinase transcript abundance. The force-feeding of synthetic miR-24 induced significant morphological aberrations accompanied with arrest of molting. These miR-24 force-fed larvae revealed significantly reduced chitinase transcript abundance.