The Role of Cytochrome P450 4C1 and Carbonic Anhydrase 3 in Response to Temperature Stress in Bemisia tabaci

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Temperature is an important factor affecting all physiological activities of ectotherms. Invasive whiteflies can quickly adapt to new environments probably regulated by epigenetics. The results of a chromatin openness test also showed that the position of the chromatin opening of Bemisia tabaci undergoes significant change under different temperature stresses. However, the specific regulatory factors in this process have not yet been verified. In this study, we verified two key factors, cytochrome P450 4C1 and carbonic anhydrase 3, regulated by chromatin accessibility. Our findings can provide a potential mechanism for responses to temperature stress and a direction for other behavioral activities of insects, as well as in proposing strategies for controlling invasive populations of whitefly. ABSTRACT: The position of the chromatin opening of Bemisia tabaci undergoes significant changes under different temperature stresses, and numerous regulatory factors have been found. In this study, we verified two key factors, cytochrome P450 4C1 and carbonic anhydrase 3. The results showed that invasive whiteflies had a significantly lower heat resistance after silencing BtCYP 4C1 and BtCar3. In addition, whiteflies had a higher cold tolerance after silencing BtCYP 4C1. These results indicate that BtCYP 4C1 and BtCar3 are key regulators in the temperature adaptation of B. tabaci. Moreover, they may be key factors in influencing the geographical distribution and dispersal of B. tabaci as an invasive species in China.