In a previous study, we found that compound ZQ-8 had a strong impact on the growth and development of Helicoverpa armigera. However, the mechanism and target of ZQ-8 are not clear, which makes it difficult to optimize the structure of this compound. In this study, the preliminary mode of action of ZQ-8 was studied through RNA sequencing and molecular docking. We also analyzed the underlying mechanisms from the aspect of ZQ-8 with respect to chitinase. The results showed that ZQ-8 mainly affects chitinase activity in the epidermis of H. armigera. ZQ-8 can competitively combine with chitinase 2 and endochitinase to form a relatively stable complex of ZQ-8, resulting in the failure of chitinase to degrade chitin. These findings indicate that the epidermis of H. armigera was identified as the action site of ZQ-8 and chitinase 2 and endochitinase were potential targets.
Keywords: Helicoverpa armigera; ZQ-8; chitinase inhibitors; targets.