Maf regulates the overexpression of CYP307A1, which is involved in the fitness advantage of bistrifluron-resistant Spodoptera litura (Fab.) (Noctuidae: Lepidoptera)

Spodoptera litura is a widely distributed multifeeding pest, that has developed high resistance to many chemical insecticides. In the present study, a bistrifluron-resistant (Bis-SEL) strain showing 113.8-fold resistance ratio relative to a bistrifluron-susceptible (Bis-UNSEL) strain was obtained and showed a fitness advantage (resurgence). First, we found that the observed resurgence might have resulted from Maf transcription factor overexpression in the Bis-SEL strain, which would influence the synthesis of ecdysone and chitin. Additionally, a co-expression relationship between Maf and CYP307A1 was verified by weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA) and qRT–PCR, and the expression of CYP307A1, a key gene in ecdysone synthesis, was significantly downregulated by Maf interference. The assay for transposase-accessible chromatin with high-throughput sequencing (ATAC-seq) and a yeast one-hybrid showed that Maf could bind to the cncc:maf-s element in the CYP307A1 promoter region. The synthesis of ecdysone, which stimulated chitin synthesis, was also decreased significantly following Maf and CYP307A1 interference. Therefore, the upregulation of Maf expression leaded to the upregulation CYP307A1 expression, which led to an increase in the synthesis of ecdysone, resulting in resurgence accompanied by resistance to bistrifluron. [Display omitted] •Maf’s overexpression would influence the synthesis of ecdysone and chitin, and the oviposition.•CYP307A1′s down-regulation also significantly decreased the synthesis of ecdysone and chitin.•Maf could bind to the cncc:maf-s element in the CYP307A1 promoter.