<i>NlCEBP</i> -Mediated Upregulation of <i>NlUGT386K2</i> Confers Resistance to Triflumezopyrim in <i>Nilaparvata lugens</i> (Stål)

The brown planthopper (<i>Nilaparvata lugens</i>) is a major pest of rice crops and has developed severe resistance to insecticides. Among them, triflumezopyrim is currently one of the main compounds used for <i>N. lugens</i> control. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying <i>N. lugens</i> resistance to triflumezopyrim remain poorly understood. The current study aimed to elucidate the mechanisms of triflumezopyrim resistance in <i>N. lugens</i>. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis revealed that 10 UGT genes were up-regulated in triflumezopyrim resistant strain. Of these, the expression levels of 3 UGT genes were further induced upon exposure to triflumezopyrim. Meanwhile the RNA interference (RNAi) experiments indicated that silencing <i>NlUGT386K2</i> in <i>N. lugens</i> resulted in a significant increase in susceptibility to triflumezopyrim. Furthermore, the bZIP transcription factor <i>NlCEBP</i> was shown to bind the promoter region of <i>NlUGT386K2</i>, thereby enhancing its expression and increased triflumezopyrim resistance in <i>N. lugens</i>. These findings uncover a UGT-mediated detoxification pathway regulated by <i>NlCEBP</i> and provide offering new insights into insecticide resistance and potential molecular targets for pest management.