Non-ATPase regulatory subunits (Rpns) are components of the 26S proteasome involved in polyubiquitinated substrate recognition and deubiquitination in eukaryotes. Here, we identified 15 homologues sequences of
Rpn
and associated genes by searching the genome and transcriptome databases of the brown planthopper,
Nilaparvata lugens
, a hemipteran rice pest. Temporospatial analysis showed that
NlRpn
genes were significantly highly expressed in eggs and ovaries but were less-highly expressed in males. RNA interference-mediated depletion of
NlRpn
genes decreased the proteolytic activity of proteasome and impeded the transcription of
lipase
and
vitellogenin
genes in the fat bodies and ovaries in adult females, and reduced the triglyceride content in the ovaries. Decrease of the proteolytic activity of the proteasome via knockdown of
NlRpn
s also inhibited the transcription of
halloween
genes, including
NlCYP307A2
,
NlCYP306A2
and
NlCYP314A1
, in the 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) biosynthetic pathway in the ovaries, reduced 20E production in adult females, and impaired ovarian development and oocyte maturation, resulting in reduced fecundity. These novel findings indicate that the proteolytic activity of the proteasome is required for female reproductive processes in
N. lugens
, thus furthering our understanding of the reproductive and developmental strategies in insects.
Transcriptome Analysis of Fat Bodies from Two Brown Planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens) Populations with Different Virulence Levels in Rice