Silencing of Target Chitinase Genes via Oral Delivery of dsRNA Caused Lethal Phenotypic Effects in Mythimna separata (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).
Mythimna separata walker (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a polyphagous, migratory corn pest. Outbreak of M. separata has led to severe damage to corn production recently in China. RNAi (RNA interference) is a gene silencing technology applied both in model and non-model organisms, and it is especially useful for the latter in which the reverse genetic research tools are not available. RNAi approach was broadly investigated in many plant pathogens and was used for the generation of anti-pest transgenic plants. We are proposing to use this technology to silence M. separata endogenous genes, thereby, providing a biocontrol method for this insect. Feeding of dsRNAs for target Chitinase genes resulted in substantial decreases of their transcript levels in M. separata. Furthermore, silencing of target Chitinase genes led to phenotypic effects such as reduced body weight and increased mortality. Our study provided both reverse genetic research tool and potential control strategy for this insect species.
Inner Mongolia University, No. 235 West College Road, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, People's Republic of China, 010021.
Budao
B
Cao
Inner Mongolia University, No. 235 West College Road, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, People's Republic of China, 010021.
Wenhua
W
Bao
Inner Mongolia University, No. 235 West College Road, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, People's Republic of China, 010021. nmhadawu77@imu.edu.cn.
Hada
H
Wuriyanghan
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000235:genetics; D002688:Chitinases / Q000235:genetics*; D020868:Gene Silencing; D018390:Gene Targeting; D007300:Insect Control / Q000379:methods*; D007915:Lepidoptera / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics*; D012330:RNA, Double-Stranded / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015996:Survival Rate
D012330:RNA, Double-Stranded; D002688:Chitinases
Biocontrol method; Chitinase gene; Mythimna separata; RNA interference; dsRNA