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Qu M, Yang Q. Physiological significance of alternatively spliced exon combinations of the single-copy gene class A chitin synthase in the insect Ostrinia furnacalis (Lepidoptera). INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2012; 21:395-404. [PMID: 22607200 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2583.2012.01145.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Insect chitin synthase is an essential enzyme involved in chitin biosynthesis in insects. Chitin synthase A (CHSA) is expressed in different insect tissues during different developmental stages. CHSA contains alternative-splicing exons that allow tissue- and development-specific chitin synthesis. Here, we report that OfCHSA from the lepidopteran Ostrinia furnacalis contains two alternative-splicing exons, exons 2a and 2b and exons 19a and 19b. Although four combinations of these exons are theoretically possible, we found that transcripts containing exon 2a were dominant during most developmental stages, including embryonic development, larval-larval moulting, the larval-pupal transition and pupal-adult metamorphosis. Unexpectedly, 2b-containing transcripts were much more responsive to 20-hydroxyecdysone regulation than 2a-containing ones, suggesting that although OfCHSA isoforms encoded by 2b-containing transcripts are normally expressed at very low levels, they play unique roles. Spliced exons 2a and 2b have also been observed in Bombyx mori; therefore, this work provides new insights into the regulation of insect chitin synthase, particularly in lepidopteran insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Qu
- School of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China
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202
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Zheng W, Zhu C, Peng T, Zhang H. Odorant receptor co-receptor Orco is upregulated by methyl eugenol in male Bactrocera dorsalis (Diptera: Tephritidae). JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2012; 58:1122-7. [PMID: 22634470 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2012.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2012] [Revised: 05/15/2012] [Accepted: 05/16/2012] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Bactrocera dorsalis is a destructive fruit-eating pest that causes severe economic damage to the fruit and vegetable industry. Methyl eugenol (ME) has been widely used as an effective sexual attractant for male fruit flies through olfactory perception. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the olfactory perception of ME remains unknown. Here, we report the characterization and functional analysis of a newly discovered cDNA that encodes a Drosophila melanogaster odorant receptor co-receptor Orco ortholog in B. dorsalis. qRT-PCR analysis revealed that it was abundantly expressed in the antenna of adult B. dorsalis. Notably, Orco was upregulated by ME in the antenna of male flies. Mature males of B. dorsalis showed significant taxis toward ME within 0.5h, and Orco was significantly upregulated in the attracted adults within the same period. Silencing Orco through the ingestion of dsRNA reduced the attractive effects of ME. These data suggest that Orco may play an essential role in ME attraction in the olfactory signal transduction pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiwei Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Hubei Key Laboratory of Insect Resource Application and Sustainable Pest Control and Institute of Urban and Horticultural Pests, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, People's Republic of China
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203
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Zhu JQ, Liu S, Ma Y, Zhang JQ, Qi HS, Wei ZJ, Yao Q, Zhang WQ, Li S. Improvement of pest resistance in transgenic tobacco plants expressing dsRNA of an insect-associated gene EcR. PLoS One 2012; 7:e38572. [PMID: 22685585 PMCID: PMC3369839 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0038572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2012] [Accepted: 05/07/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The adoption of pest-resistant transgenic plants to reduce yield loss and pesticide utilization has been successful in the past three decades. Recently, transgenic plant expressing double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) targeting pest genes emerges as a promising strategy for improving pest resistance in crops. The steroid hormone, 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E), predominately controls insect molting via its nuclear receptor complex, EcR-USP. Here we report that pest resistance is improved in transgenic tobacco plants expressing dsRNA of EcR from the cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera, a serious lepidopteran pest for a variety of crops. When H. armigera larvae were fed with the whole transgenic tobacco plants expressing EcR dsRNA, resistance to H. armigera was significantly improved in transgenic plants. Meanwhile, when H. armigera larvae were fed with leaves of transgenic tobacco plants expressing EcR dsRNA, its EcR mRNA level was dramatically decreased causing molting defects and larval lethality. In addition, the transgenic tobacco plants expressing H. armigera EcR dsRNA were also resistant to another lepidopteran pest, the beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua, due to the high similarity in the nucleotide sequences of their EcR genes. This study provides additional evidence that transgenic plant expressing dsRNA targeting insect-associated genes is able to improve pest resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Qi Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Shumin Liu
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Yao Ma
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Jia-Qi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- School of Biotechnology and Food Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, China
| | - Hai-Sheng Qi
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- School of Biotechnology and Food Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, China
| | - Zhao-Jun Wei
- School of Biotechnology and Food Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, China
| | - Qiong Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol and Institute of Entomology, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wen-Qing Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol and Institute of Entomology, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Sheng Li
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
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204
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Tobback J, Vuerinckx K, Boerjan B, Huybrechts R. RNA interference mortality points to noncircadian functions for the clock gene in the desert locust Schistocerca gregaria. INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2012; 21:369-381. [PMID: 22433062 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2583.2012.01143.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
One of the core genes in the circadian regulation network is clock (clk). By forming a heterodimer with CYCLE (CYC) that binds on an E-box in the promoter region, it induces the transcription of other elements in the circadian transcriptional feedback loops and different clock output genes. In contrast to other insects, a clk double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) treatment is lethal in adults and fifth instar nymphs of the desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria, in a dose-dependent manner. Clk knock down fifth instar nymphs are able to undergo their imaginal moult but, depending on the amount of dsRNA, it takes them longer than the controls to reach adulthood. As adults, clk knock down animals do not develop their fat body and ovaries like the control animals. Therefore, we tested the expression of different genes involved in energy metabolism and reproduction to see the effect of the clk RNA interference knock down. Surprisingly, the expression of the vitellogenin gene was up-regulated in the clk knock down females who did not appear to invest their energy in egg development. Taken together, our results point out that the clk gene in the desert locust has an additional function in development besides its established role in maintaining the circadian rhythms in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Tobback
- Research Group of Insect Physiology and Molecular Ethology, Department of Biology, K.U. Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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205
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Zhang D, Chen J, Yao Q, Pan Z, Chen J, Zhang W. Functional analysis of two chitinase genes during the pupation and eclosion stages of the beet armyworm Spodoptera exigua by RNA interference. ARCHIVES OF INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2012; 79:220-234. [PMID: 22460420 DOI: 10.1002/arch.21018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Insect chitinases are a multigene family that is encoded by a rather large and diverse group of genes. The main function of chitinases is to digest the chitin contained in tissues such as the cuticles and gut lining during molting. In this study, we examined the role of a chitinase (SeChi) and a bacterial type chitinase (SeChi-h) during the pupation and eclosion stages of Spodoptera exigua. First, efficient silencing of the SeChi and SeChi-h genes through specific double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) injection led to a significant reduction in the mRNA levels of SeChi and SeChi-h. Additionally, different phenotypic defects were observed at the pupal and adult stages after injection of the SeChi and SeChi-h dsRNAs. After injecting SeChi dsRNA in the pupal stage, the cuticle of the head split open and the pupal cuticle was visible under the old larval cuticle. However, after injecting the SeChi-h dsRNA, animals died without exhibiting any special phenotypes. At the adult death stage, animals injected with dsSeChi could not shed their pupal shell completely, and their old cuticles remained attached to their head or chest. However, the main lethal phenotype was that insects did not emerge after dsSeChi-h injection. Additionally, the average survival rates of S. exigua were 52.02% and 40.38% at the pupal and adult stages, respectively, after injection with SeChi dsRNA. For the insects injected with SeChi-h dsRNA, the survival rates were 72.38% and 48.52%, respectively. These results suggest that SeChi and SeChi-h may have different biologic functions during the pupal-adult molting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daowei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
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206
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Allen ML, Walker WB. Saliva of Lygus lineolaris digests double stranded ribonucleic acids. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2012; 58:391-6. [PMID: 22226823 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2011.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2011] [Revised: 12/17/2011] [Accepted: 12/21/2011] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
The prospects for development of highly specific pesticides based on double stranded ribonucleic acid have been a recent focus of scientific research. Creative applications have been proposed and demonstrated. However, not all insects are sensitive to double stranded RNA (dsRNA) gene knockdown effects; applications in the order Lepidoptera, for example, have met with varied success. Gene knockdown has been demonstrated in several species in the order Hemiptera. In our laboratory, knockdown experiments relied on microinjection of dsRNA into the hemocoel of the tarnished plant bug, Lygus lineolaris. Subsequent experiments delivering dsRNA to insects by feeding were repeatedly unsuccessful in demonstrating knockdown, and a hypothesis was formulated that the dsRNA was digested and degraded by the insect prior to contact with the insect cells. Exposure of dsRNA to insect saliva, insect salivary glands, and insect hemolymph was compared with commercial RNAase III. The saliva of L. lineolaris was found to rapidly digest double stranded RNA. RNAase inhibitor did not affect the activity but heat treatment slowed enzymatic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret L Allen
- U. S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Biological Control of Pests Research Unit, 59 Lee Road, Stoneville, MS 38776,
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207
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Jiang X, Zhai H, Wang L, Luo L, Sappington TW, Zhang L. Cloning of the heat shock protein 90 and 70 genes from the beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua, and expression characteristics in relation to thermal stress and development. Cell Stress Chaperones 2012; 17:67-80. [PMID: 21842334 PMCID: PMC3227854 DOI: 10.1007/s12192-011-0286-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2010] [Revised: 07/20/2011] [Accepted: 07/21/2011] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Two full-length cDNAs of heat shock protein (HSP) genes (Se-hsp90 and Se-hsp70) were cloned from the beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua, and their expression was investigated in relation to cold shock, heat shock, and development. The open reading frames of Se-hsp90 and Se-hsp70 are 2,154 and 2,004 bp in length, encoding polypeptides of 717 and 667 amino acids with a molecular mass of 82.6 and 72.5 kDa, respectively. Both genes showed high similarity to their counterparts in other species. Transcriptional expression profiles revealed that both genes were significantly up-regulated under thermal stress. However, the temperature at which expression level became significantly higher than that of controls varied between genes. Intensity of response to temperature was more intense for Se-hsp70 than for Se-hsp90, regardless of temperature or developmental stage. However, intensities of response to temperature of either Se-hsp90 or Se-hsp70 varied with developmental stage. The basal expression of both genes was highest in young larvae and decreased with age. Translational expression of Se-Hsp70 was observed by using Western blot, the expression profiles of Se-Hsp70 protein were in high agreement with those of Se-hsp70 RNA under heat or cold stress in larvae and pupae. However, it does not completely accord with that of Se-hsp70 RNA expression during development without thermal stress. These results indicated that, in addition to heat shock responses, both Se-hsp90 and Se-hsp70 might be involved in development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingfu Jiang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China.
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208
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Zhang YL, Zhang SZ, Kulye M, Wu SR, Yu NT, Wang JH, Zeng HM, Liu ZX. Silencing of molt-regulating transcription factor gene, CiHR3, affects growth and development of sugarcane stem borer, Chilo infuscatellus. JOURNAL OF INSECT SCIENCE (ONLINE) 2012; 12:91. [PMID: 23427912 PMCID: PMC3596932 DOI: 10.1673/031.012.9101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi) is a technology for conducting functional genomic studies and a potential tool for crop protection against insect pests. Development of reliable methods for production and delivery of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) is the major challenge for efficient pest control. In this study, Chilo infuscatellus Snellen (Crambidae: Lepidoptera) was fed with CiHR3 dsRNA expressed in bacteria or synthesized in vitro. The dsRNA ingested by C. infuscatellus successfully triggered silencing of the molt-regulating transcription factor CiHR3, an important gene for insect growth and development, and caused significant abnormalities and weight loss in insects within seven days of treatment. This study is an ideal example of feeding-based RNAi mediated by dsRNA expressed in bacteria or synthesized in vitro. The results also suggested that feeding-based RNA interference is a potential method for the management of C. infuscatellus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-liang Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Resources of Tropical Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Tropical Bioscience and Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Science, Haikou, Hainan 571101, P. R. China
| | - Shu-zhen Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Resources of Tropical Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Tropical Bioscience and Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Science, Haikou, Hainan 571101, P. R. China
| | - Mahesh Kulye
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management in Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, P. R. China
| | - Su-ran Wu
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Resources of Tropical Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Tropical Bioscience and Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Science, Haikou, Hainan 571101, P. R. China
| | - Nai-tong Yu
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Resources of Tropical Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Tropical Bioscience and Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Science, Haikou, Hainan 571101, P. R. China
| | - Jian-hua Wang
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Resources of Tropical Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Tropical Bioscience and Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Science, Haikou, Hainan 571101, P. R. China
| | - Hong-mei Zeng
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management in Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, P. R. China
- Authors contributed equally to this paper
| | - Zhi-xin Liu
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Resources of Tropical Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Tropical Bioscience and Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Science, Haikou, Hainan 571101, P. R. China
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209
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Dong X, Zhai Y, Zhang J, Sun Z, Chen J, Chen J, Zhang W. Fork head transcription factor is required for ovarian mature in the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens (Stål). BMC Mol Biol 2011; 12:53. [PMID: 22208615 PMCID: PMC3288825 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2199-12-53] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2011] [Accepted: 12/31/2011] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The brown planthopper (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens, is the most devastating rice pest in many areas throughout Asia. The reproductive system of female N. lugens consists of a pair of ovaries with 24-33 ovarioles per ovary in most individuals which determine its fecundity. The fork head (Fox) is a transcriptional regulatory molecule, which regulates and controls many physiological processes in eukaryotes. The Fox family has several subclasses and members, and several Fox factors have been reported to be involved in regulating fecundity. Results We have cloned a fork head gene in N. lugens. The full-length cDNA of NlFoxA is 1789 bp and has an open reading frame of 1143 bp, encoding a protein of 380 amino acids. Quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) and Reverse Transcription- PCR (RT-PCR) analysis revealed that NlFoxA mRNA was mainly expressed in the fat body, midgut, cuticle and Malpighian tube, and was expressed continuously with little change during all the developmental stages. NlFoxA belongs to the FoxA subfamily of the Fox transcription factors. Knockdown of NlFoxA expression by RNAi using artificial diet containing double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) significantly decreased the number of offspring and impacted the development of ovaries. ELISA and Western blot analyses showed that feeding-based RNAi of NlFoxA gene also resulted in decreased expression of vitellogenin (Vg) protein. Conclusion NlFoxA plays an important role in regulation of fecundity and development of ovaries in the BPH via regulating vitellogenin expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolin Dong
- School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510275 China
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210
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Qu M, Yang Q. A novel alternative splicing site of class A chitin synthase from the insect Ostrinia furnacalis - gene organization, expression pattern and physiological significance. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2011; 41:923-931. [PMID: 21933709 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2011.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2011] [Revised: 08/25/2011] [Accepted: 09/06/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Insect chitin synthase A (CHSA) catalyzes chitin biosynthesis in tissues that develop from ectoderm. Since only one gene copy encodes CHSA, we hypothesized that CHSA is very likely to exist as isoforms through alternative splicing, and the functions of these isoforms may be tissue-specific. Besides the known alternative splicing exons in the mid-ORF region, we report here the alternative exons (OfCHSA-2a and OfCHSA-2b) of OfCHSA, the chitin synthase A from the lepidopteran pest Ostrinia furnacalis. Sequence analysis of the 5' upstream region of the transcription start site indicated that presences of two independent promoters for controlling the expression of OfCHSA-2a/b. Both OfCHSA-2a and OfCHSA-2b transcripts were preferentially expressed in the epidermis. During growth and development of O. furnacalis, OfCHSA-2a was mainly expressed during larval-larval molting and larval-pupal transformation, as well as in newly-laid eggs, while OfCHSA-2b was expressed only during the larval-larval molting. Gene silencing of OfCHSA-2a caused incomplete molting, while silencing of OfCHSA-2b exclusively influenced the head cuticle formation of the 3rd instar larval. Since O. furnacalis is phylogenetically close to the model insect Bombyx mori, the same undiscovered alternative splicing exon was also identified in BmCHSA by gDNA sequence alignment. This work may lead to greater understanding of the mechanism by which a single copy of the CHSA gene could fulfill various functions with tissue specificity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingbo Qu
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
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211
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Surakasi VP, Mohamed AAM, Kim Y. RNA interference of β1 integrin subunit impairs development and immune responses of the beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2011; 57:1537-1544. [PMID: 21856307 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2011.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2011] [Revised: 08/04/2011] [Accepted: 08/04/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Integrin is a cell surface protein that is composed of α and β heterodimer and mediates cell interaction with extracellular matrix or other cells including microbial pathogens. A full length cDNA sequence (2862 bp) of a β1 subunit integrin (βSe1) was cloned from the beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua. Phylogenetic analysis showed that βSe1 was clustered with other insect β integrin subunits with the highest amino acid sequence identity (98.3%) to β1 of Spodoptera litura. Structural analysis of the deduced amino acid sequence indicated that βSe1 possessed all functional domains known in other insect β1 integrins. RT-PCR analysis showed that βSe1 was expressed in all developmental stages and all tested tissues of S. exigua. Its expression was further upregulated in hemocytes by injections of various microbes from quantitative RT-PCR analysis. Injection of double-stranded βSe1 RNA (dsRNA(βSe1)) into late instar S. exigua suppressed βSe1 expression and resulted in significant reduction in pupal weight. The dsRNA(βSe1) injection significantly impaired hemocyte-spreading and nodule formation of S. exigua in response to bacterial challenge. Furthermore, oral ingestion of dsRNA(βSe1) induced reduction of βSe1 expression in midgut and resulted in significant mortality of S. exigua during immature development. These results suggest that βSe1 plays crucial roles in performing cellular immune responses as well as larval development in S. exigua.
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Affiliation(s)
- Venkata Prasad Surakasi
- Department of Bioresource Sciences, Andong National University, Andong 760-749, Republic of Korea
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212
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Upadhyay SK, Chandrashekar K, Thakur N, Verma PC, Borgio JF, Singh PK, Tuli R. RNA interference for the control of whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci) by oral route. J Biosci 2011; 36:153-61. [PMID: 21451256 DOI: 10.1007/s12038-011-9009-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 164] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated gene silencing was explored for the control of sap-sucking pest Bemisia tabaci, commonly known as whitefly. dsRNAs and siRNAs were synthesized from five different genes - actin ortholog, ADP/ATP translocase, alpha-tubulin, ribosomal protein L9 (RPL9) and V-ATPase A subunit. A simplified insect bioassay method was developed for the delivery of ds/siRNA through the oral route, and efficacy was evaluated. ds/siRNA caused 29-97% mortality after 6 days of feeding. Each insect ingested nearly 150 nl of insect diet per day, which contained a maximum of 6 ng of RNA. Knocking down the expression of RPL9 and V-ATPase A caused higher mortality with LC50 11.21 and 3.08 microg/ml, respectively, as compared to other genes. Semi-quantitative PCR of the treated insects showed significant decrease in the level of RPL9 and V-ATPase A transcripts. siRNAs were found stable in the insect diet for at least 7 days at the room temperature. Phloem-specific expression of dsRNAs of RPL9 and V-ATPase A in transgenic plants for the protection against whiteflies might be an interesting application of this technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santosh Kumar Upadhyay
- National Botanical Research Institute (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research), Rana Pratap Marg, Lucknow 226 001, India
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213
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Bhatia V, Uniyal PL, Bhattacharya R. Aphid resistance in Brassica crops: challenges, biotechnological progress and emerging possibilities. Biotechnol Adv 2011; 29:879-88. [PMID: 21802504 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2011.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2011] [Revised: 07/07/2011] [Accepted: 07/12/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Aphids, (Hemiptera: Aphidoidea) a nefarious insect pest of Brassicaceae members including major vegetable and oilseed crops have coevolved with their host plant and emerged as most economically important insect pest of crop Brassicas. Their atypical feeding mechanism and unusual reproductive biology made them intractable to control below economic threshold level of damage to the crops. To a large extent aphid infestation is controlled by spraying agrochemicals of systemic mode of action and rarely by biological control. Use of systemic insecticides is highly cost intensive as well poses bigger threat of their incorporation in dietary chain. Breeding for genetic resistance against aphids has not been possible owing to the non-availability of resistance source within the crossable germplasms and lack of knowledge of the genetics of the trait. Genetic engineering with insect resistant transgenes seems to be the only potential avenue to address this difficult-to-accomplish breeding objective. Some success had been achieved in terms of developing aphid resistant cultivars through genetic engineering however, commercial utilization of such crops are still awaited. Thus protection of crops against aphids necessarily requires more research to identify either more effective insecticidal transgenes or biological phenomenon that can usher to new mechanism of resistance. The present review is an attempt to highlight the current status and possible avenues to develop aphid resistance in Brassicaceae crops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Varnika Bhatia
- National Research Centre on Plant Biotechnology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute Campus, New Delhi, India
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214
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Gu J, Liu M, Deng Y, Peng H, Chen X. Development of an efficient recombinant mosquito densovirus-mediated RNA interference system and its preliminary application in mosquito control. PLoS One 2011; 6:e21329. [PMID: 21698129 PMCID: PMC3116905 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0021329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2011] [Accepted: 05/26/2011] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The Aedes aegypti densovirus (AeDNV) has potential as a delivery vector for foreign nucleic acids into mosquito cells. In this study, we investigated the ability of plasmids containing recombinant viral transducing genome to induce RNA interference (RNAi) effects in C6/C36 cells. We then evaluated the efficiency of a recombinant AeDNV vector to induce RNAi in Aedes albopictus larvae. We found that the expression of V-ATPase was inhibited by up to 90% at 96 h post-transfection in transfected C6/C36 cells. In addition, the bioinsecticidal activities of various RNAi-expressing AeDNV vectors used to infect Ae. albopictus larvae were also tested. We found that when Ae. albopictus larvae were infected with recombinant AeDNV, expression of V-ATPase was downregulated by nearly 70% compared to controls. Furthermore, the median survival time bioassays demonstrated that recombinant AeDNV caused more serious pathogenic effects than the wild type virus. This is the first report showing that recombinant virus plasmid and corresponding recombinant AeDNV can be used as an effective in vitro and in vivo RNAi delivery system, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinbao Gu
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Min Liu
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yuhua Deng
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Hongjuan Peng
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaoguang Chen
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- * E-mail:
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215
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Mao YB, Tao XY, Xue XY, Wang LJ, Chen XY. Cotton plants expressing CYP6AE14 double-stranded RNA show enhanced resistance to bollworms. Transgenic Res 2011; 20:665-73. [PMID: 20953975 PMCID: PMC3090577 DOI: 10.1007/s11248-010-9450-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 149] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2010] [Accepted: 09/29/2010] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi) plays an important role in regulating gene expression in eukaryotes. Previously, we generated Arabidopsis and tobacco plants expressing double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) targeting a cotton bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera) P450 gene, CYP6AE14. Bollworms fed on transgenic dsCYP6AE14 plants showed suppressed CYP6AE14 expression and reduced growth on gossypol-containing diet (Mao et al., in Nat Biotechnol 25: 1307-1313, 2007). Here we report generation and analysis of dsRNA-expressing cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) plants. Bollworm larvae reared on T2 plants of the ds6-3 line exhibited drastically retarded growth, and the transgenic plants were less damaged by bollworms than the control. Quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) showed that the CYP6AE14 expression level was reduced in the larvae as early as 4 h after feeding on the transgenic plants; accordingly, the CYP6AE14 protein level dropped. These results demonstrated that transgenic cotton plants expressing dsCYP6AE14 acquired enhanced resistance to cotton bollworms, and that RNAi technology can be used for engineering insect-proof cotton cultivar.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying-Bo Mao
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 300 Fenglin Road, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China.
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216
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Gong L, Yang X, Zhang B, Zhong G, Hu M. Silencing of Rieske iron-sulfur protein using chemically synthesised siRNA as a potential biopesticide against Plutella xylostella. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2011; 67:514-520. [PMID: 21472969 DOI: 10.1002/ps.2086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2010] [Revised: 09/25/2010] [Accepted: 09/29/2010] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Extensive applications and frequent long-term use of pesticides can affect behavioural mechanisms and physiological and biochemical aspects of insects, leading to resistance. However, insect control strategies involving a different mode of action would be valuable for managing the emergence of insect resistance. In this context, the development of RNA interference technology has brought a turning point in the creation of new biopesticides. RESULTS Full-length cDNA of Rieske iron-sulfur protein (RISP) was cloned and characterised from Plutella xylostella L. Three siRNAs specific to RISP sequences were designed and chemically synthesised, and fed to P. xylostella larvae by coating cabbage leaves. This resulted in specific gene silencing of RISP, and consequently brought significant mortality of P. xylostella larvae compared with the control treatment. Silencing of RISP leads to significantly lower transcript levels of RISP compared with the control. In addition, the amount of ATP in the surviving larvae was lower than in the control. However, surviving larvae gradually recovered to normal transcript and protein levels. CONCLUSION This is the first demonstration of the potential use of chemically synthesised siRNA in the development of new biopesticides as a mitochondrial electron transport inhibitor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Gong
- Key Laboratory of Pesticide and Chemical Biology, College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
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217
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Li X, Zhang M, Zhang H. RNA interference of four genes in adult Bactrocera dorsalis by feeding their dsRNAs. PLoS One 2011; 6:e17788. [PMID: 21445257 PMCID: PMC3060817 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0017788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2010] [Accepted: 02/11/2011] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background RNA interference (RNAi) is a powerful method to inhibit gene expression in a sequence specific manner. Recently silencing the target gene through feeding has been successfully carried out in many insect species. Methodology/Principal Findings Escherichia coli strain HT115 was genetically engineered to express dsRNA targeting genes that encode ribosomal protein Rpl19, V type ATPase D subunit, the fatty acid elongase Noa and a small GTPase Rab11. qRT-PCR showed that mRNA level of four target genes was reduced compared to ds-egfp control by feeding either engineered bacteria or dsRNAs. The maximum down-regulation of each gene varied from 35% to 100%. Tissue specific examination indicated that RNAi could be observed not only in midgut but also in other tissues like the ovary, nervous system and fat body. Silencing of rab11 through ingestion of dsRNA killed 20% of adult flies. Egg production was affected through feeding ds-noa and ds-rab11 compared to ds-egfp group. Adult flies were continuously fed with dsRNA and bacteria expressing dsRNA for 14 days and up-regulations of target genes were observed during this process. The transcripts of noa showed up-regulation compared to ds-egfp control group in four tissues on day 7 after continuous feeding either dsRNA or engineered bacteria. The maximum over-expression is 21 times compared to ds-egfp control group. Up-regulation of rab11 mRNA level could be observed in testes on day 7 after continuous bacteria treatment and in midgut on day 2 after ds-rab11 treatment. This phenomenon could also be observed in rpl19 groups. Conclusions Our results suggested that it is feasible to silence genes by feeding dsRNA and bacteria expressing dsRNA in Bactrocera dorsalis. Additionally the over-expression of the target gene after continuously feeding dsRNA or bacteria was observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxue Li
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Hubei Key Laboratory of Insect Resource Application and Sustainable Pest Control and Institute of Urban and Horticultural Pests, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Mingyan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Hubei Key Laboratory of Insect Resource Application and Sustainable Pest Control and Institute of Urban and Horticultural Pests, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongyu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Hubei Key Laboratory of Insect Resource Application and Sustainable Pest Control and Institute of Urban and Horticultural Pests, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, People's Republic of China
- * E-mail:
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218
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Terenius O, Papanicolaou A, Garbutt JS, Eleftherianos I, Huvenne H, Kanginakudru S, Albrechtsen M, An C, Aymeric JL, Barthel A, Bebas P, Bitra K, Bravo A, Chevalier F, Collinge DP, Crava CM, de Maagd RA, Duvic B, Erlandson M, Faye I, Felföldi G, Fujiwara H, Futahashi R, Gandhe AS, Gatehouse HS, Gatehouse LN, Giebultowicz JM, Gómez I, Grimmelikhuijzen CJP, Groot AT, Hauser F, Heckel DG, Hegedus DD, Hrycaj S, Huang L, Hull JJ, Iatrou K, Iga M, Kanost MR, Kotwica J, Li C, Li J, Liu J, Lundmark M, Matsumoto S, Meyering-Vos M, Millichap PJ, Monteiro A, Mrinal N, Niimi T, Nowara D, Ohnishi A, Oostra V, Ozaki K, Papakonstantinou M, Popadic A, Rajam MV, Saenko S, Simpson RM, Soberón M, Strand MR, Tomita S, Toprak U, Wang P, Wee CW, Whyard S, Zhang W, Nagaraju J, Ffrench-Constant RH, Herrero S, Gordon K, Swevers L, Smagghe G. RNA interference in Lepidoptera: an overview of successful and unsuccessful studies and implications for experimental design. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2011; 57:231-45. [PMID: 21078327 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2010.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 540] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2010] [Revised: 11/03/2010] [Accepted: 11/04/2010] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Gene silencing through RNA interference (RNAi) has revolutionized the study of gene function, particularly in non-model insects. However, in Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies) RNAi has many times proven to be difficult to achieve. Most of the negative results have been anecdotal and the positive experiments have not been collected in such a way that they are possible to analyze. In this review, we have collected detailed data from more than 150 experiments including all to date published and many unpublished experiments. Despite a large variation in the data, trends that are found are that RNAi is particularly successful in the family Saturniidae and in genes involved in immunity. On the contrary, gene expression in epidermal tissues seems to be most difficult to silence. In addition, gene silencing by feeding dsRNA requires high concentrations for success. Possible causes for the variability of success in RNAi experiments in Lepidoptera are discussed. The review also points to a need to further investigate the mechanism of RNAi in lepidopteran insects and its possible connection to the innate immune response. Our general understanding of RNAi in Lepidoptera will be further aided in the future as our public database at http://insectacentral.org/RNAi will continue to gather information on RNAi experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olle Terenius
- Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
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219
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The knockdown of Ha-GRIM-19 by RNA interference induced programmed cell death. Amino Acids 2010; 42:1297-307. [DOI: 10.1007/s00726-010-0824-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2010] [Accepted: 12/07/2010] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
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Chen J, Zhang D, Yao Q, Zhang J, Dong X, Tian H, Chen J, Zhang W. Feeding-based RNA interference of a trehalose phosphate synthase gene in the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens. INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2010; 19:777-86. [PMID: 20726907 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2583.2010.01038.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
The brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens, is the most devastating rice insect pest to have given rise to an outbreak in recent years. RNA interference (RNAi) is a technological breakthrough that has been developed as a powerful tool for studying gene function and for the highly targeted control of insect pests. Here, we examined the effects of using a feeding-based RNAi technique to target the gene trehalose phosphate synthase (TPS) in N. lugens. The full-length cDNA of N. lugens TPS (NlTPS) is 3235 bp and has an open reading frame of 2424 bp, encoding a protein of 807 amino acids. NlTPS was expressed in the fat body, midgut and ovary. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis revealed that NlTPS mRNA is expressed continuously with little change during the life of the insect. Efficient silencing of the TPS gene through double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) feeding led to rapid and significant reduction levels of TPS mRNA and enzymatic activity. Additionally, the development of N. lugens larvae that had been fed with the dsRNA was disturbed, resulting in lethality, and the cumulative survival rates dropped to 75.56, 64.44, 55.56 and 40.00% after continuous ingestion of 0.5 µg/µl dsRNA for 2, 4, 7 and 10 days, respectively. These values were significantly lower than those of the insects in the control group, suggesting that NlTPS dsRNA may be useful as a means of insect pest control.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
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221
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Yao Q, Zhang D, Tang B, Chen J, Chen J, Lu L, Zhang W. Identification of 20-hydroxyecdysone late-response genes in the chitin biosynthesis pathway. PLoS One 2010; 5:e14058. [PMID: 21124981 PMCID: PMC2987807 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0014058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2010] [Accepted: 10/28/2010] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) and its receptor complex ecdysone receptor (EcR) and ultraspiracle (USP) play a crucial role in controlling development, metamorphosis, reproduction and diapause. The ligand-receptor complex 20E-EcR/USP directly activates a small set of early-response genes and a much larger set of late-response genes. However, ecdysone-responsive genes have not been previously characterized in the context of insect chitin biosynthesis. Principal Findings Here, we show that injection-based RNA interference (RNAi) directed towards a common region of the two isoforms of SeEcR in a lepidopteron insect Spodoptera exigua was effective, with phenotypes including a high mortality prior to pupation and developmental defects. After gene specific RNAi, chitin contents in the cuticle of an abnormal larva significantly decreased. The expression levels of five genes in the chitin biosynthesis pathway, SeTre-1, SeG6PI, SeUAP, SeCHSA and SeCHSB, were significantly reduced, while there was no difference in the expression of SeTre-2 prior to 72 hr after injection of EcR dsRNA. Meanwhile, injection of 20E in vivo induced the expression of the five genes mentioned above. Moreover, the SeTre-1, SeG6PI, SeUAP and SeCHSB genes showed late responses to the hormone and the induction of SeTre-1, SeG6PI, SeUAP and SeCHSB genes by 20E were able to be inhibited by the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide in vitro indicating these genes are 20E late-response genes. Conclusions We conclude that SeTre-1, SeG6PI, SeUAP and SeCHSB in the chitin biosynthesis pathway are 20E late-response genes and 20E and its specific receptors plays a key role in the regulation of chitin biosynthesis via inducing their expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiong Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Daowei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bin Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Hangzhou Key Laboratory of Animal Adaptation and Evolution, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jie Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jing Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Liang Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenqing Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- * E-mail:
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Hou L, Wang JX, Zhao XF. Rab32 and the remodeling of the imaginal midgut in Helicoverpa armigera. Amino Acids 2010; 40:953-61. [DOI: 10.1007/s00726-010-0720-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2010] [Accepted: 08/04/2010] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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223
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Zhang X, Zhang J, Zhu KY. Chitosan/double-stranded RNA nanoparticle-mediated RNA interference to silence chitin synthase genes through larval feeding in the African malaria mosquito (Anopheles gambiae). INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2010; 19:683-693. [PMID: 20629775 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2583.2010.01029.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 259] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine whether the expression of two chitin synthase genes, AgCHS1 and AgCHS2, can be repressed by chitosan/AgCHS dsRNA-based nanoparticles through larval feeding in Anopheles gambiae. The AgCHS1 transcript level and chitin content were reduced by 62.8 and 33.8%, respectively, in the larvae fed on chitosan/AgCHS1 dsRNA nanoparticles compared with those of the control larvae fed on chitosan/GFP dsRNA nanoparticles. Our study suggested for the first time that RNA interference (RNAi) in mosquito larvae is systemic, and demonstrated that the larvae fed on the nanoparticles assembled from AgCHS1 and AgCHS2 dsRNA increased larval susceptibilities to diflubenzuron, and calcofluor white (CF) or dithiothreitol, respectively. These results suggest great potential for using such a nanoparticle-based RNAi technology for high-throughput screening of gene functions and for developing novel strategies for pest management.
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Affiliation(s)
- X Zhang
- Department of Entomology and Arthropod Genomics Center, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA.
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