A peptidoglycan recognition protein regulates the immune response of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Olivier (Coleoptera: Dryophthoridae) during exposure to pathogenic Gram-positive bacteria and fungi

Red palm weevil (RPW), Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Olivier, is a tremendously destructive insect pest of palm trees worldwide. Although some biological agents have been used to fight against RPW larvae, the control efficiency is still dissatisfactory. This study aimed to determine the role of a peptidoglycan recognition protein (PGRP), RfPGRP-S3, in RPW immunity. RfPGRP-S3 is a secreted protein with a DF (Asp85-Phe86) motif, implying that it can discriminate Gram-positive bacteria. The abundance of RfPGRP-S3 transcripts in the hemolymph was significantly higher than that in other tissues. The expression of RfPGRP-S3 can be markedly induced by challenge with Staphylococcus aureus and Beauveria bassiana. After RfPGRP-S3 was silenced, the ability of individuals to clear the pathogenic bacteria in the body cavity and gut was significantly compromised. Furthermore, silencing RfPGRP-S3 dramatically impaired the survival rate of RPW larvae upon challenge with S. aureus. RT‒qPCR revealed that the expression levels of RfDefensin in the fat body and gut were decreased by RfPGRP-S3 silencing. Taken together, these results demonstrated that RfPGRP-S3 acts as a circulating receptor to promote the expression of the antimicrobial peptide gene upon the discrimination of pathogenic microbes. •RfPGRP-S3 is a secreted protein with a DF motif which is essential for discriminating Gram-positive bacteria.•RfPGRP-S3 represent in hemolymph with the highest transcript abundance in contrast with other tested tissues.•RfPGRP-S3 silencing dramatically impaired the immunocompetence of RPW larvae.•RfPGRP-S3 acts as a circulating PRR to activate RPW immunity during exposure to Gram-positive bacteria and fungi.