title: Gene silencing by RNA interference in the house dust mite, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus.
abstract: This is the first report of gene silencing by RNA interference (RNAi) in the European house dust mite, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Trouessart, 1897. Using a non-invasive immersion method first developed for the honey bee mite, Varroa destructor, a significant reduction in the expression of D. pteronyssinus glutathione-S-transferase mu-class 1 enzyme (DpGST-mu1) was achieved following overnight immersion in double stranded RNA encoding DpGST-mu1. Although no detrimental phenotypic changes were observed following silencing, this technique can now be used to address fundamental physiological questions and assess the potential therapeutic benefit in silencing D. pteronyssinus target genes in selected domestic situations of high human-mite interface.
authors.affiliation: Division of Vaccines and Diagnostics, Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom; Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Roslin, Midlothian, Scotland, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Edward J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Marr
authors.affiliation: Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Roslin, Midlothian, Scotland, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Neil D
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Sargison
authors.affiliation: Division of Vaccines and Diagnostics, Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Alasdair J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Nisbet
authors.affiliation: Division of Vaccines and Diagnostics, Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom. Electronic address: stewart.burgess@moredun.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Stewart T G
authors.initials: STG
authors.lastname: Burgess
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D040002:Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus / Q000201:enzymology / Q000254:growth & development*; D005260:Female; D005982:Glutathione Transferase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000235:genetics; D034622:RNA Interference; D012330:RNA, Double-Stranded / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D012330:RNA, Double-Stranded; D005982:Glutathione Transferase
keywords: Astigmatid; Atopy; Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus; Glutathione-S-transferase; House dust mites; RNA interference