A cytoplasmic lncRNA‐mediated ceRNA axis regulates chitin metabolism and molting in the rice pest Sogatella furcifera : Implications for RNAi‐based control

The white-backed planthopper, Sogatella furcifera, is a major migratory rice pest whose development and survival depend critically on chitin metabolism during molting. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as important post-transcriptional regulators in insects, yet their roles in hemipteran pest physiology remain largely unexplored. In the present study, we identified and functionally characterized a novel lncRNA, MSTRG.16087.1, that regulates chitin metabolism via a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) mechanism. Temporal expression analysis revealed that MSTRG.16087.1 is co-expressed with the chitin deacetylase gene SfCDA4 during key molting stages, and subcellular fractionation confirmed its predominant cytoplasmic localization. RNA interference (RNAi) of MSTRG.16087.1 caused significant molting defects, reduced survival, and impaired SfCDA4 expression, demonstrating its essential role in nymphal development. Integrating transcriptome-based miRNA prediction, dual-luciferase reporter assays, and RNA pull-down experiments, we identified miR-1307-3p as the core bridging miRNA that directly targets both MSTRG.16087.1 and SfCDA4. Overexpression of miR-1307-3p recapitulated the molting defects observed upon lncRNA silencing, confirming the functional significance of this regulatory axis. Altogether, our results reveal a novel MSTRG.16087.1/miR-1307-3p/SfCDA4 ceRNA network that stabilizes chitin metabolism and ensures successful molting in S. furcifera. Beyond advancing the mechanistic understanding of lncRNA-mediated regulation in hemipteran pests, this work highlights species-specific ncRNAs as promising targets for RNAi-based, environmentally friendly pest control strategies, offering a potential route for selective interference without affecting non-target organisms.