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Disruption of Spodoptera exigua larval development by silencing chitin synthase gene A with RNA interference

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 July 2008

X. Chen ,
H. Tian ,
L. Zou ,
B. Tang ,
J. Hu  and
W. Zhang
X. Chen
Affiliation:
State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol and Institute of Entomology, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
H. Tian
Affiliation:
State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol and Institute of Entomology, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
L. Zou
Affiliation:
State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol and Institute of Entomology, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
B. Tang
Affiliation:
State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol and Institute of Entomology, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
J. Hu
Affiliation:
State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol and Institute of Entomology, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
W. Zhang*
Affiliation:
State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol and Institute of Entomology, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
*
*Author for correspondence Fax: +86 20 84112297 E-mail: Lsszwq@mail.sysu.edu.cn
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Abstract

RNA interference (RNAi) is a powerful tool for rapidly analyzing gene functions. However, little is known about the possible use of dsRNA/siRNA as a pest control method. Here, we demonstrate that dsRNA/siRNA can induce the silence of chitin synthase gene A (CHSA), which is an important gene for the growth and development of cuticles and trachea in beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua. Based on the in vitro RNAi experiments in an insect cell line (Trichoplusia ni High 5), in vivo RNAi was performed by injecting synthesized dsRNA/siRNA into the 4th instar larvae of S. exigua. Significantly lower levels of CHSA transcripts were detected. In addition, the cuticle of these insects was disordered and the epithelial walls of larval trachea did not expand uniformly in injected individuals. Moreover, Injections significantly increased abnormalities relative to control larvae. These results highlighted the possibility of dsRNA/siRNA for gene function studies in lepidopteran insects and future pest control.

Keywords

chitin synthase geneRNAifunctionSpodoptera exiguapest control
Type
Research Paper
Information
Bulletin of Entomological Research , Volume 98 , Issue 6 , December 2008 , pp. 613 - 619
Copyright
Copyright © 2008 Cambridge University Press

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