Molecular characterization of GTSF1 as a potential target for pest managementin brinjal fruit and shoot borer, Leucinodes orbonalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)
Keywords:
Brinjal, GTSF1, Leucinodes orbonalis, phylogenyAbstract
Brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) is a major vegetable crop in South Asia, where its productivity is severely constrained by the brinjal fruit and shoot borer, Leucinodes orbonalis (Guenée) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae). The concealed feeding behavior of the larvae and increasing resistance to insecticides make effective management of this pest particularly challenging. In the present study, we report the molecular characterization of the gametocyte-specific factor 1 (GTSF1) gene and evaluate its potential as a molecular target for sustainable pest management. A ~1500 bp fragment of the GTSF1 gene was successfully amplified and characterized, revealing a gene structure comprising three exons and encoding a 239 amino acid protein associated with germline development and fertility. Comparative sequence analysis and phylogenetic reconstruction demonstrated a high degree of evolutionary conservation of GTSF1 among lepidopteran pests, highlighting its functional importance. The essential reproductive role and conserved nature of GTSF1 suggest that it represents a promising candidate for advanced gene-based control approaches, including RNA interference and CRISPR/Cas-mediated genome editing. Overall, the findings provide molecular evidence supporting GTSF1 as a novel, species-specific target for environmentally benign pest management, offering a viable alternative to conventional chemical control strategies in brinjal production systems.
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Copyright (c) 2026 S Geerthana, K Suresh, P Nalini, B Usha Rani, K Thangaraj, M Paramasivam, K Akshay, R Asokan, K Ashok (Author)
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