Role of N-glycosylation in post-embryonic development and midgut in Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata)

N-glycosylation is one of the most common and important post-translational modifications (PTM) in the eukaryotic cell. The attachment of N-glycans has a significant effect on the properties and activities of the protein and is implicated in numerous important biological processes in the cell and organism, including protein folding, localization and secretion, cell-cell interaction, etc. Recently, the study of protein N-glycosylation in several model insects revealed the importance of this process in insect development, immunity, survival and fertility. This suggests that disruption the genes involved in the N-glycosylation pathway are holding potential for pest management. However, the majority of these studies focused on the whole organism and had little focus on the role of N-glycosylation in specific insect organs or tissues. Therefore, this thesis focused on the discovery of the physiological importance of N-glycosylation in the midgut and peritrophic matrix of the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata, which is a model insect and major pest on potatoes. Additionally, this thesis investigated the relation between glycan structures and the immune response in the midgut