RNAi介导的HvIAP1基因沉默对茄二十八星瓢虫存活和发育的影响

RNAi抗虫技术,是一种新型绿色环保的害虫防控方法,具有广阔的应用前景.茄二十八星瓢虫Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata是茄科植物上的重要害虫,对作物生产造成了严重的经济损失.本研究用饲喂法RNAi探究了沉默凋亡抑制蛋白1(inhibitor of apoptosis protein 1,IAP1)表达对茄二十八星瓢虫生长发育的影响.结果显示,HvIAP1在茄二十八星瓢虫的每个发育阶段均表达,1龄幼虫和3龄幼虫的表达量最高,成虫的表达量最低.取食200 ng/μL dsHvIAP1浸泡处理的叶片2 d后,可导致92％的茄二十八星瓢虫1龄幼虫死亡,同时在取食dsHvIAP124 h后,HvIAP1基因的表达量下降了2.40倍;另外,单头取食200 ng的dsHvIAP1可导致70％的4龄幼虫死亡,同时在取食48 h后,HvIAP1基因的表达量下降了2.58倍.并且RNAi处理后1龄幼虫和4龄幼虫大部分个体在48 h内出现急性取食障碍现象,基本不取食直至死亡.上述结果表明,HvIAP1基因在茄二十八星瓢虫的生长发育过程中起重要作用,当该基因表达受阻,会直接影响茄二十八星瓢虫的取食、抑制其生长发育而死亡.这一研究表明HvIAP1基因可作为潜在的防治茄二十八星瓢虫的RNAi靶标基因.     

RNAi介导的HvCDA1基因沉默影响茄二十八星瓢虫存活和发育

【目的】茄二十八星瓢虫Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata是茄科(Solanaceae)植物上的重要害虫。昆虫体内几丁质脱乙酰酶1(chitin deacetylase 1, CDA1)催化N-乙酰氨基-D-葡萄糖胺脱去乙酰基,促使几丁质转化为壳聚糖,控制昆虫体内几丁质纤维有序堆积,并维持角质层结构的完整性。抑制虫体中CDA1基因的表达会抑制壳聚糖的合成,影响昆虫表皮结构的形成,使昆虫不能正常发育而亡。【方法】利用RT-qPCR方法测定HvCDA1基因在茄二十八星瓢虫不同发育阶段(卵、1-4龄幼虫和预蛹)和4龄幼虫不同组织(表皮、脂肪体、中肠和马氏管)中的表达模式。通过饲喂茄二十八星瓢虫1龄幼虫不同浓度dsHvCDA1溶液浸泡处理1 min的茄子叶片后及直接饲喂4龄幼虫不同浓度dsHvCDA1溶液,探究沉默茄二十八星瓢虫HvCDA1基因对其幼虫存活和发育以及HvCDA1基因表达量的影响。【结果】发育表达谱结果表明,HvCDA1在茄二十八星瓢虫的各发育阶段均有表达,但在1龄末和2龄末幼虫中的表达量最高。组织表达谱结果显示,在茄二十八星瓢虫4龄幼虫的表皮中H...     

Oral delivery of dsHvlwr is a feasible method for managing the pest Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

RNA interference(RNAi)techniques have emerged as powerful tools that facilitate development of novel management strategies for insect pests,such as Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata(Coleoptera:Coccinellidae),which is a major pest of solanaceous plants in Asia.In this study,the potential of oral delivery of in vvYro-synthesized and bacterially expressed double-stranded H.vigintioctopunctata lesswright(Iwr)gene(dsHvlwr)to manage of H.vigintioctopunctata was investigated.Our results showed that the gene Hvlwr had a 480-bp open reading frame and encoded a 160-amino acid protein.Hvlwr expression levels were greater in the fat body than other tissue types.Hvlwr silencing led to greater H.vigintioctopunctata mortality rates and appeared to be time-and partially dose-dependent,likely as a result of the number of hemocytes increasing with dsRNA concentration,but decreasing with time.Bacterially expressed dsHvlwr that was applied to leaf discs caused 88%,66%,and 36%mortality in 1st instars,3rd instars,and adults after 10,10,and 14 d,respectively;when applied to living plants,there was greater mortality in 1 st and 3rd instars,but there was no effect on adults.Furthermore,dsHvlwr led to improved plant protection against H.vigintioctopunctata.Our study shows an effective dietary RNAi response in H.vigintioctopunctata and that Hvlwr is a promising RNAi target gene for control of this pest species.     

茄子品种对茄二十八星瓢虫及其寄生蜂生长发育的影响

茄子不同品种对茄二十八星瓢虫及瓢虫柄腹姬小蜂的影响结果表明 ,上海紫茄、呼杂 3 4# 、托塔姆 3 # 、洋红茄 4个品种中 ,取食上海紫茄的瓢虫发育历期明显短于取食其它 3个品种的瓢虫。其幼虫-蛹历期比在托塔姆 3 # 上取食的瓢虫发育历期快 5 69d。瓢虫柄腹姬小蜂在取食上海紫茄的瓢虫幼虫内发育出蜂数多、性比高 ,但寄生率稍低。而在托塔姆 3 # 上取食的幼虫内发育出蜂数少、羽化率低、蜂体小、但寄生率稍高。该蜂喜在 3 ,4龄幼虫内寄生 ,在其上寄生蜂出蜂多、性比高、蜂的个体大     

A gene silencing of V‐ATPase subunit A interferes with survival and development of the tomato leafminer,Tuta absoluta

RNA interference (RNAi) technology is not only considered as a tool to analyze gene function, but it is also potentially considered as a strategy to develop novel biopesticide. In the current study, a double‐stranded RNA specific to v‐ATPase subunit A of the tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick; Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), was orally administered. A gradual decrease in the expression of the gene was observed from Day 1 to 3 and resulted in significant larval mortality. These results suggest that v‐ATPases A can be considered as a promising target gene by RNAi technology to be used in the management of the tomato leafminer.     

Gene silencing of the tick protective antigens, Bm86, Bm91 and subolesin, in the one-host tick Boophilus microplus by RNA interference

The use of RNA interference (RNAi) to assess gene function has been demonstrated in several three-host tick species but adaptation of RNAi to the one-host tick, Boophilus microplus, has not been reported. We evaluated the application of RNAi in B. microplus and the effect of gene silencing on three tick-protective antigens: Bm86, Bm91 and subolesin. Gene-specific double-stranded (dsRNA) was injected into two tick stages, freshly molted unfed and engorged females, and specific gene silencing was confirmed by real time PCR. Gene silencing occurred in injected unfed females after they were allowed to feed. Injection of dsRNA into engorged females caused gene silencing in the subsequently oviposited eggs and larvae that hatched from these eggs, but not in adults that developed from these larvae. dsRNA injected into engorged females could be detected by quantitative real-time RT-PCR in eggs 14 days from the beginning of oviposition, demonstrating that unprocessed dsRNA was incorporated in the eggs. Eggs produced by engorged females injected with subolesin dsRNA were abnormal, suggesting that subolesin may play a role in embryonic development. The injection of dsRNA into engorged females to obtain gene-specific silencing in eggs and larvae is a novel method which can be used to study gene function in tick embryogenesis.     

Effects of environmental humidity on the survival and development of pine caterpillars, Dendrolimus tabulaeformis (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae)

The pine caterpillar, Dendrolimus tabulaeformis is one of the most important pests on Pinus tabulaeformis and other pine species in North China. In the present study, effects of relative humidity (RH) on the development and survival of pine caterpillars and soil moisture (SM) on their diapausing larvae were investigated. Low RH (20%) deferred the development of eggs and larvae, reduced egg hatching and larval surviving compared to 40%, 60% and 80% RH. Both low (20%) and high (100%) RH reduced egg hatching, but only 20% RH deferred the development of larvae, prolonged developmental duration and reduced the body mass and body length of larvae. The SM influenced the survival of diapausing larvae significantly. The dry treatment significantly reduced the supercooling points (SCPs), whereas increased the mortality and reduced body mass from 56.9 to 36.5 mg and body water content from 78% to 63% after 2 weeks' exposure. Therefore, higher RH is more favorable for the development of early instars and survival of diapausing larvae of the pine caterpillars.     

RNA interference‐mediated knockdown and virus‐induced suppression of Troponin C gene adversely affect the behavior or fitness of the green rice leafhopper,Nephotettix cincticeps

The green rice leafhopper, Nephotettix cincticeps, is a major rice pest in Southeast Asia and Southern China. Novel control strategies must be explored to control the rice pest. Behavior or fitness regulation of insect by modulating the Troponin C (TnC) may be a novel strategy in the comprehensive management of the insect pest. However, characterizations and functions of TnC, especially regarding effect of its RNA interference‐mediated gene knockdown on the behavior or fitness of N. cincticeps remain unknown. Here, we successfully cloned and characterized TnC gene from N. cincticeps (Nc‐TnC). We demonstrated that Nc‐TnC ubiquitously transcribed at all development stages and special tissues in adult insects, with relative higher levels at the adult stage and in the intestinal canal. Microinjection‐ or oral membrane feeding‐based transient knockdown of Nc‐TnC adversely affected the performance or fitness, such as the decreased survival, feeding capacity, weight, and fecundity of N. cincticeps. Furthermore, we revealed that the expression of Nc‐TnC was suppressed by its interaction with rice dwarf virus‐encoded nonstructural protein 10, which ultimately affected detrimentally the corresponding parameters of the performance or fitness of N. cincticeps. In conclusion, our data deepen understanding of Nc‐TnC functions during the development of and viral infection in N. cincticeps. It imply Nc‐TnC may serve as a potential target for N. cincticeps control in future.     

The combined effects of temperature and salinity on hatching success and the survival,growth, and development of the larval stages of Metapenaeus bennettae (Racek & Dall)

During the spawning season of the estuarine prawn Metapenaeus bennettae (Racek & Dall), laboratory and field experiments were conducted to examine the combined effects of temperature and salinity on hatching success of eggs and the survival, growth and development of larvae. Response surface analysis showed that optimal levels of temperature and salinity for maximum hatching success varied depending on conditions during spawning. Similarly, temperature and salinity conditions that produced maximum survival and growth of larvae depended on conditions during rearing prior to experimental temperature/salinity treatments. At the onset of feeding, larvae showed the lowest tolerance to changes in temperature and salinity. Supplementary feeding experiments in the laboratory, and survival rates in field experiments indicated that starvation was a more potent factor than the effects of temperature and salinity in determining survival through the protozoeal larval stages. Late larval stages were relatively indifferent to the effects of temperature and salinity. It is suggested that, during early development, adaptive response to the prevailing physical conditions enhances survival in an estuarine environment.     

Effects of temperature and larval diet on development rates and survival of the dengue vector Aedes aegypti in north Queensland, Australia

Immature development times, survival rates and adult size (wing-lengths) of the mosquito Aedes aegypti (L.) (Diptera: Culicidae) were studied in the laboratory at temperatures of 10-40 degrees C. The duration of development from egg eclosion (hatching of the first instar) to adult was inversely related to temperature, ranging from 7.2 +/- 0.2 days at 35 degrees C to 39.7 +/- 2.3 days at 15 degrees C. The minimum temperature threshold for development (t) was determined as 8.3 +/- 3.6 degrees C and the thermal constant (K) was 181.2 +/- 36.1 day-degrees above the threshold. Maximum survival rates of 88-93% were obtained between 20 and 30 degrees C. Wing-length was inversely related to temperature. The sex ratio (female:male) was 1:1 at all temperatures tested (15, 20, 25 and 35 degrees C) except 30 degrees C (4:3). Under field conditions at Townsville and Charters Towers, north Queensland, the duration of immature development varied according to the container position (i.e. shaded or exposed) and the availability of food resources, as well as inversely with temperature. These data indicate that containers with an abundance of organic matter (e.g. those used for striking plant cuttings) or those amongst foliage or under trees (e.g. discarded plastic tubs and tyres) tended to produce the largest adult Ae. aegypti, which had faster development and better immature survival. As such progeny have been linked to a greater risk of dengue transmission, it would seem important to focus on control of such containers.     

Conformational solution studies of the SDS micelle-bound 11-28 fragment of two Alzheimer's beta-amyloid variants (E22K and A21G) using CD, NMR, and MD techniques

The beta-amyloid (Abeta) is the major peptide constituent of neuritic plaques in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and its aggregation is believed to play a central role in the pathogenesis of the disease. Naturally occurring mutations resulting in changes in the Abeta sequence (pos. 21-23) are associated with familial AD-like diseases with extensive cerebrovascular pathology. It was proved that the mutations alter the aggregation ability of Abeta and its neurotoxicity. Among five mutations at positions 21-23 there are two mutations with distinct clinical characteristics and potentially distinct pathogenic mechanism-the Italian (E22K) and the Flemish (A21G) mutations. In our studies we have examined the structures of the 11-28 fragment of the Italian and Flemish Abeta variants. The fragment was chosen because it has been shown to be the most important for amyloid fibril formation. The detailed structure of both variants Abeta(11-28) was determined using CD, 2D NMR, and molecular dynamics techniques under water-SDS micelle conditions. The NMR analysis revealed two distinct sets of proton resonances for the peptides. The studies of both peptides pointed out the existence of well-defined alpha-helical conformation in the Italian mutant, whereas the Flemish was found to be unstructured with the possibility of a bent structure in the central part of the peptide.     

DNA lesions and cytogenetic changes induced by N-nitrosomorpholine in HepG2, V79 and VH10 cells: the protective effects of Vitamins A, C and E

Introduction: N-Nitrosomorpholine (NMOR), present in the workplace of tyre chemical factories, is a known hepatocarcinogen. This compound belongs to the group of N-nitrosamines, which are indirect-acting and require metabolic activation. However, the mechanism of its carcinogenic effect is not completely clear. Aims: The objective of this study was (i) to compare the DNA-damaging and clastogenic effects of NMOR in three cell lines (HepG2, V79 and VH10) with different levels of metabolizing enzymes and (ii) to determine the protective effects of Vitamins A, C and E against deleterious effects of NMOR. Methods: The exponentially growing cells were pre-treated with Vitamins A, C and E and treated with NMOR. Genotoxic effects of NMOR were evaluated by single-cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE, comet assay), while the chromosomal aberration assay was used for the study of clastogenic effects. Key results: NMOR-induced a significant dose-dependent increase of DNA damage as analyzed by SCGE, but the extent of DNA migration in the electric field was unequal in the different cell lines. Although the results obtained by SCGE confirmed the genotoxicity of NMOR in all cell lines studied, the number of chromosomal aberrations was significantly increased only in HepG2 and V79 cells, while no changes were observed in VH10 cells. In HepG2 cells pre-treated with Vitamins A, C and E we found a significant decrease of the percentage of tail DNA induced by NMOR. The reduction of the clastogenic effects of NMOR was observed only after pretreatment with Vitamins A and E; Vitamin C did not alter the frequency of NMOR-induced chromosomal aberrations under the experimental conditions of this study. Conclusions: The fat-soluble Vitamins A and E, which are dietary constituents, reduce the harmful effects of N-nitrosomorpholine in human hepatoma cells HepG2, which are endowed with the maximal capacity for metabolic activation of several drugs.