Tetranychus urticae, a globally ubiquitous mite, poses a significant threat to agriculture. Elevated temperatures exacerbate the growth, development, and reproduction of T. urticae, leading to substantial crop damage. In this study, we employed comparative transcriptomic approaches with whole-genome information of T. urticae to identify six Glutathione S-transferase genes (GSTs) implicated in heat stress response. Through comprehensive bioinformatics analyses, we elucidated the tertiary structure and active sites of the corresponding proteins, providing a thorough characterization of these GST genes. Furthermore, we investigated the expression patterns of these six GST genes under short-term heat shock conditions. Our findings unveiled the involvement of T. urticae GST genes in combating oxidative stress induced by heat, underscoring their role in antioxidant defense mechanisms. This study contributes valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the response of T. urticae to heat stress, laying a foundation for the development of strategies aimed at mitigating its impact in high-temperature environments.

Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae) is a widely distributed agricultural pest, and it possesses an exceptional capacity to withstand or adapt to short-term heat stress. To investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying this heat tolerance, using both transcriptome and whole-genome data, we identified six distinct POD genes in T. urticae and characterized their physicochemical properties and structural features. Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was utilized to analyze the expression profiles of these genes under short-term heat stress. Our results show that T. urticae mitigates heat-induced oxidative stress through the upregulation of POD gene expression, highlighting the critical role of these genes in the mite’s adaptive response to thermal stress. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the molecular pathways that enable T. urticae to survive in fluctuating thermal environments, which is increasingly relevant in the context of global climate change. Furthermore, this study provides a foundation for future research utilizing RNA interference (RNAi) technology to further investigate the functional roles of these POD genes and their potential as targets for pest control strategies.

Background: As global temperatures rise, organisms must adapt to heat stress to survive. Heat stress induces the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can damage cells and increase mortality. Catalase (CAT), an antioxidant enzyme, mitigates this damage by breaking down hydrogen peroxide, a major ROS. Results: In this study, we identified and characterized two catalase genes, TuCAT1 and TuCAT2 , from the transcriptome of Tetranychus urticae , a pest species known for its resilient to environmental stress. Sequence analysis showed that both CAT proteins are highly conserved across arthropods, with TuCAT1 and TuCAT2 closely related to the CAT protein of Panonychus citri . Under heat stress, TuCAT1 gene expression was significantly upregulated, while TuCAT2 was down-regulated, indicating a complex regulatory response. RNA interference (RNAi) silencing of TuCAT1 enhanced superoxide dismutase and peroxidase activity but decreased survival under heat stress. Conclusion: These findings deepen our understanding of catalase’s role in heat tolerance in T. urticae and guiding pest management strategies in the context of climate change.