Multi-omics reveals allyl isothiocyanate disrupts lipid metabolism, neural signaling, and glucose metabolism in Coptotermes formosanus (Blattodea: Heterotermitidae)

Abstract The Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus (Blattodea: Heterotermitidae) is a highly destructive pest that incurs substantial economic losses globally. Current control approaches predominantly depend on chemical treatments thereby arousing concerns regarding the environment and safety. Allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) is an insecticide derived from plants. It exhibits efficacy in controlling a variety of pests with minimal environmental impact. Nevertheless, its mechanism of action against C. formosanus remains inadequately understood. In this research, indoor toxicity assays and multi-omics techniques were utilized to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying AITC toxicity. AITC manifested potent fumigant activity (LC50 = 435.993 μL/L) against C. formosanus. Transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic analyses of termites exposed to AITC revealed significant enrichment of differentially expressed genes, proteins, and metabolites associated with lipid-related processes, such as glycerophospholipid metabolism. These findings suggest that AITC induces disruptions in lipid metabolism resulting in disorders of the membrane system. Notably, AITC may also interfere with neural signaling and glucose metabolism. Overall, this project demonstrates that AITC exerts its insecticidal effects mainly through lipid metabolic disorders. These disorders cause disruptions to the membrane system along with disturbances in neural signaling and glucose metabolism. This study offers novel perspectives on the molecular basis of AITC toxicity and supports its potential as an environmentally friendly termiticide.