title: Silencing of Mythimna separata chitinase genes via oral delivery of in planta-expressed RNAi effectors from a recombinant plant virus.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate transient expression of RNA interference (RNAi) effectors in Nicotiana benthamiana plants by using recombinant virus vectors and also oral delivery of the effectors for silencing of Mythimna separata endogenous gene expression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mythimna separata is a serious pest of corn production in China. To evaluate RNAi approaches to target specific RNAs in M. separate, we cloned fragments of the M. separata chitinase sequences into a virus vector in order to produce RNAi effectors during virus infection and replication in plants. When the infected plants were fed to M. separata, expression levels of target MseChi1 and MseChi2 genes were down-regulated by 76 and 45 %, respectively, and sequence-specific siRNAs were detected in recipient insects. RNAi-based silencing of chitinase genes also led to body weight decreases by 43 %.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our research demonstrates target mRNA knockdown and suggests a promising application for controlling of M. separata by in planta expression of RNAi effectors using a recombinant plant virus.
authors.affiliation: Inner Mongolia University, No.235 West College Road, Inner Mongolia, Hohhot, P.R.C ZIP: 010021, China.
authors.forename: Wenhua
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Bao
authors.affiliation: Inner Mongolia University, No.235 West College Road, Inner Mongolia, Hohhot, P.R.C ZIP: 010021, China.
authors.forename: Budao
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Cao
authors.affiliation: Inner Mongolia University, No.235 West College Road, Inner Mongolia, Hohhot, P.R.C ZIP: 010021, China.
authors.forename: Yanan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Inner Mongolia University, No.235 West College Road, Inner Mongolia, Hohhot, P.R.C ZIP: 010021, China. nmhadawu77@imu.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Hada
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wuriyanghan
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D002688:Chitinases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D005822:Genetic Vectors / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007300:Insect Control; D019476:Insect Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D007915:Lepidoptera / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000821:virology; D010942:Plant Viruses / Q000235:genetics; D034622:RNA Interference; D014026:Nicotiana / Q000235:genetics* / Q000469:parasitology
chemical_list: D019476:Insect Proteins; D002688:Chitinases
keywords: Chitinase; Mythimna separate; Nicotiana benthamiana; Nody weight; RNA interference; Virus vector