ROS downregulate TCA activity to modulate energy metabolism via the HIF/miR-34/ACS-PK pathway for lifespan extension in Helicoverpa armigera.

Previous studies have shown that high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and low tricarboxylic acid (TCA) activity in the brain promote pupal diapause, which is characterized by metabolic depression and lifespan extension. However, it is unclear whether ROS are associated with TCA activity. In this study, we demonstrate that ROS downregulate TCA activity and acetyl-CoA and pyruvate levels in the brains of diapause-destined pupae in the moth Helicoverpa armigera, as well as the protein levels of acetyl-CoA synthetase (ACS) and pyruvate kinase (PK), two proteins involved in the biosynthesis of acetyl-CoA and pyruvate, respectively. Interestingly, miR-34, which is highly expressed in the brains of diapause-destined pupae, can respond to ROS signaling. Furthermore, we show that miR-34 can reduce the expression of ACS and PK by directly targeting their mRNAs. Additionally, hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF), a transcription factor, can be activated by ROS and then promotes miR-34 transcription by binding a cis-element in its promoter. Moreover, we observed delayed pupal development after treatment with a ROS activator paraquat and a HIF activator dimethyloxallyl glycine. Taken together, these results suggest that a novel pathway ROS/HIF/miR-34/ACS-PK was found to negatively regulate TCA activity to promote insect diapause for lifespan extension.