Improvement of host-induced gene silencing efficiency via polycistronic-tRNA-amiR expression for multiple target genes and characterization of RNAi mechanism in Mythimna separata.

ABSTRACT: Host-induced gene silencing (HIGS) emerged as a new strategy for pest control. However, RNAi efficiency is reported to be low in Lepidoptera, which are composed of many important crop pests. To address this, we generated transgenic plants to develop HIGS effects in a maize pest, Mythimna separata (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae), by targeting chitinase encoding genes. More importantly, we developed an artificial microRNA (amiR) based PTA (polycistronic-tRNA-amiR) system for silencing multiple target genes. Compared with hpRNA (hairpin RNA), transgenic expression of a PTA cassette including an amiR for the gut-specific dsRNA nuclease gene MsREase, resulted in improved knockdown efficiency and caused more pronounced developmental abnormalities in recipient insects. When target gene siRNAs were analy

SUBMITTER: Bao W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8313139 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature