Functional analysis of the allatostatin-A type gene in the cricket Gryllus bimaculatus and the armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda.
Double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) gene interference is an efficient method to silence gene expression in a sequence specific manner. Here we show, that dsRNA targeting the allatostatin (AS)-A type (FGL/I/V-amide) gene of Gryllus bimaculatus (Ensifera, Gryllidae) and Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae) injected into freshly moulted larvae or adult crickets and moths produced a rapid and long-lasting reduction in the mRNA levels in various tissues. The effect lasted up to 7 days. Following dsRNA injection, the juvenile hormone (JH) titers in the hemolymph were clearly raised in both species. AS-dsRNA injection induced a reduced body weight in larval and adult crickets and the imaginal moult was incomplete. Silencing allatostatin type-A expression also reduced the egg and testes development in crickets, and the oviposition rate was drastically diminished in both species.
Meyering-Vos
Martina
M
Department of Animal Ecology I, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstr. 30, D-95440 Bayreuth, Germany. Martina.Meyering-Vos@uni-bayreuth.de
Merz
Sandra
S
Sertkol
Mehriye
M
Hoffmann
Klaus H
KH
D000818:Animals; D020868:Gene Silencing / Q000187:drug effects; D006135:Gryllidae / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006458:Hemolymph / Q000378:metabolism*; D019476:Insect Proteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D007814:Larva / Q000235:genetics; D009036:Moths / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics; D038081:Organogenesis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics*; D010058:Oviposition / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D012330:RNA, Double-Stranded / Q000494:pharmacology
D019476:Insect Proteins; D009479:Neuropeptides; D012330:RNA, Double-Stranded; C076523:allatostatin