National Engineering Research Center of Sugarcane, Fujian Agricultural and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China.
National Engineering Research Center of Sugarcane, Fujian Agricultural and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China.
Gene. 2018 Sep 5;670:1-6. doi: 10.1016/j.gene.2018.05.094. Epub 2018 May 24.
RNAi (RNA interference) is a technology for silencing expression of target genes via sequence-specific double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). Recently, dietary introduction of bacterially expressed dsRNA has shown great potential in the field of pest management. Identification of potential candidate genes for RNAi is the first step in this application. The oriental armyworm, Mythimna separata Walker (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a polyphagous, migratory pest, and outbreaks have led to severe crop damage in China. In the present study, two tubulin genes were chosen as target genes because of their crucial role in insect development. Both Msα-tubulin and Msβ-tubulin genes are expressed across all life stages and are highly expressed in the head and epidermis. Feeding of bacterially expressed dsRNA of Msα-tubulin and Msβ-tubulin to third-instar larvae knocked down target mRNAs. A lethal phenotype was observed with knockdown of Msα-tubulin and Msβ-tubulin concurrent with reduction in body weight. Bacterially expressed dsRNA can be used to control M. separata, and tubulin genes could be effective candidate genes for an RNAi-based control strategy of this pest.
RNAi（RNA 干扰）是一种通过序列特异性双链 RNA（dsRNA）沉默靶基因表达的技术。最近，细菌表达的 dsRNA 在害虫管理领域显示出巨大的潜力。鉴定 RNAi 的潜在候选基因是该应用的第一步。东方粘虫，Mythimna separata Walker（鳞翅目：夜蛾科）是一种多食性、迁徙性害虫，其爆发已导致中国严重的作物受损。在本研究中，选择了两个微管蛋白基因作为靶基因，因为它们在昆虫发育中起着至关重要的作用。Msα-微管蛋白和 Msβ-微管蛋白基因在所有生命阶段都有表达，在头部和表皮中高度表达。用细菌表达的 Msα-微管蛋白和 Msβ-微管蛋白 dsRNA 喂养三龄幼虫可敲低靶 mRNA。观察到 Msα-微管蛋白和 Msβ-微管蛋白的敲低与体重减轻同时出现致死表型。细菌表达的 dsRNA 可用于控制 M. separata，微管蛋白基因可能是这种害虫基于 RNAi 的控制策略的有效候选基因。
