DnaJ homolog subfamily A member1 (DnaJ1) is a newly discovered anti-apoptotic protein regulated by azadirachtin in Sf9 cells

BACKGROUND: Azadirachtin, one of the most promising botanical insecticides, has been widely used for pest control. Azadirachtin induces apoptosis in insect cell lines, including Sf9, SL-1 and BTI-Tn-5B1–4. Mitochondrial and lysosomal pathways are likely involved in the azadirachtin-induced apoptosis, however, detailed molecular mechanisms remain largely undefined. RESULTS: Azadirachtin-induced apoptosis in Sf9 cells was verified by morphological observation, Hoechst 33258 staining, and a Caspase-3-based analysis. Comparative two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) coupled with a linear ion trap quadrupole (LTQ)-MS/MS analysis identified 12 prominent, differentially expressed proteins following azadirachtin treatment. These differentially expressed genes are involved in regulating cytoskeleton development, signal transduction, gene transcription, and cellular metabolism. Knockdown gene expression of a gene encoding a DnaJ homolog enhanced apoptosis induced by azadirachtin in Sf9 cells. CONCLUSION: Azadirachtin treatment induces apoptosis in Sf9 cells and affects expression of multiple genes with functions in cytoskeleton development, signal transduction, gene regulation, and cellular metabolisms. Azadirachtin induces apoptosis at least partially by down-regulation of Sf-DnaJ in Sf9 cells. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (10.1186/s12864-018-4801-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.