Comparative Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Expression of Defense Pathways and Specific Protease Inhibitor Genes in Solanum lycopersicum in Response to Feeding by Tuta absoluta

Understanding plant-insect interactions can help control the harm of herbivorous pests. According to transcriptome data, transcripts of <i>Solanum lycopersicum</i> responding to feeding by <i>Tuta absoluta</i> were screened for important endopeptidase inhibitors. These genes were annotated as serine-type endopeptidase inhibitors from the potato inhibitor I family, potato type II proteinase inhibitor family, and soybean trypsin inhibitor (Kunitz) family. Based on the analysis of expression patterns, <i>Solyc09g084480.2</i>, <i>Solyc03g020080.2</i>, <i>Solyc03g098760.1</i>, and <i>Solyc01g009020.1</i> were identified as key genes in the defense system of <i>S. lycopersicum</i>. The major endopeptidase genes such as <i>Tabs008250</i>, <i>Tabs007396</i>, and <i>Tabs005701</i> in the larval stages of <i>T. absoluta</i> were also detected as potential targets of the plant endopeptidase inhibitors. The interaction mode between these endopeptidase and endopeptidase inhibitors was predicted based on the protein structure construction. This study aims to reveal the molecular response of <i>S. lycopersicum</i> to feeding by <i>T. absoluta</i> with high throughput sequencing and bioinformatics analysis.