The function of nuclear receptors in Male contribution to egg production in the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum

Nineteen canonical and two Knirps-like family nuclear receptors (NRs) were identified in the genome of Tribolium castaneum. The current study was conducted to determine the function of these NRs in male contribution to egg production by female. RNA interference (RNAi)-aided knock-down in the expression of genes coding for E75, E78, SVP, TcFTZ-F1, HR38 and HR4 in the newly molted adult, Knirps-like, Hnf-4, Tailless(Tll), HR51, Dsf, HR39 during the pupal stage caused reduction in egg laying by more 50% when compared to females matted with control males injected with male dsRNA. Moreover, knock down in the expression of E78 and HR39, respectively, results in significantly smaller glands, produced fewer sperms and less total protein in the gland (P<0.05). These data suggest that function of some NRs in males is critical for production of accessory gland proteins and sperms that contribute to egg production in female beetles.