Silencing of Mitochondrial Trifunctional Protein A Subunit (HADHA) Increases Lipid Stores, and Reduces Oviposition and Flight Capacity in the Vector Insect Rhodnius prolixus

Rhodnius prolixus is an obligatory hematophagous insect, vector of Chagas disease. After blood meal, lipids are absorbed, metabolized, synthesized, and accumulated in the fat body. When necessary, stored mobilized, transported to other organs, or oxidized provide energy. Mitochondrial ?-oxidation a cyclic conserved pathway, where degradation long-chain fatty acids occurs contribute cellular energetic demands. Three its reactions catalyzed by mitochondrial trifunctional protein (MTP), which composed hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase multienzyme complex subunits alpha beta (HADHA HADHB, respectively). Here, we investigated role HADHA lipid metabolism reproduction females. The expression gene ( RhoprHadha ) was determined organs starving adult insects. flight muscle ovary had higher levels when compared anterior posterior midguts upregulated meal We generated insects with RNAi-mediated knockdown address physiological this gene. deficiency resulted triacylglycerol content larger droplets body during starvation. feeding, lifespan females not affected, but they exhibited decrease oviposition, although hatching same both groups. Silenced showed lower forced capacity than control ones, their bodies Brummer lipase RhoprBmm acyl-CoA synthetase 2 RhoprAcsl2 ). Taken together, these findings indicate that important guarantee successful efficient mobilization stores starvation flight.