RNAi Construct Research Articles

A Genetic Screen To Assess Dopamine Receptor (DopR1) Dependent Sleep Regulation in Drosophila.

Sleep is an essential behavioral state of rest that is regulated by homeostatic drives to ensure a balance of sleep and activity, as well as independent arousal mechanisms in the central brain. Dopamine has been identified as a critical regulator of both sleep behavior and arousal. Here, we present results of a genetic screen that selectively restored the Dopamine Receptor (DopR/DopR1/dumb) to specific neuroanatomical regions of the adult Drosophila brain to assess requirements for DopR in sleep behavior. We have identified subsets of the mushroom body that utilizes DopR in daytime sleep regulation. These data are supported by multiple examples of spatially restricted genetic rescue data in discrete circuits of the mushroom body, as well as immunohistochemistry that corroborates the localization of DopR protein within mushroom body circuits. Independent loss of function data using an inducible RNAi construct in the same specific circuits also supports a requirement for DopR in daytime sleep. Additional circuit activation of discrete DopR+ mushroom body neurons also suggests roles for these subpopulations in sleep behavior. These conclusions support a new separable function for DopR in daytime sleep regulation within the mushroom body. This daytime regulation is independent of the known role of DopR in nighttime sleep, which is regulated within the Fan-Shaped Body (FSB). This study provides new neuroanatomical loci for exploration of dopaminergic sleep functions in Drosophila, and expands our understanding of sleep regulation during the day vs. night.

Amplicon-Based RNA Interference Targeting V2 Gene of Cotton Leaf Curl Kokhran Virus-Burewala Strain Can Provide Resistance in Transgenic Cotton Plants.

The conserved coat or V2 gene of begomoviruses is responsible for viral movement in the plant cells. RNAi technology was used to silence V2 gene for resistance against these viruses in transgenic plants. The transformation of the RNAi-based gene construct targeting V2 gene of CLCuKoV-Bur, cloned under 35S promoter, was done in two elite cotton varieties MNH-786 and VH-289 using shoot apex cut method of gene transformation. The transformation efficiency was found to be 3.75 and 2.88 % in MNH-786 and VH-289, respectively. Confirmation of successful transformation was done through PCR in T 0, T 1, and T 2 generations using gene-specific primers. Transgenic cotton plants were categorized on the basis of the virus disease index in T 1 generation. Copy number and transgene location were observed using FISH and karyotyping in T 2 generation which confirmed random integration of V2 RNAi amplicon at chromosome 6 and 16. Real-time quantitative PCR analyses of promising transgenic lines showed low virus titer compared to wild-type control plants upon challenging them with viruliferous whiteflies in a contained environment. From the results, it was concluded that amplicon V2 RNAi construct was able to limit virus replication and can be used to control CLCuV in the field.

In-Plant Protection against Helicoverpa armigera by Production of Long hpRNA in Chloroplasts.

Expressing double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) in transgenic plants to silence essential genes within herbivorous pests is referred to as trans-kingdom RNA interference (TK-RNAi) and has emerged as a promising strategy for crop protection. However, the dicing of dsRNA into siRNAs by the plant’s intrinsic RNAi machinery may reduce this pesticidal activity. Therefore, genetic constructs, encoding ∼200 nt duplex-stemmed-hairpin (hp) RNAs, targeting the acetylcholinesterase gene of the cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera, were integrated into either the nuclear or the chloroplast genome of Nicotiana benthamiana. Undiced, full-length hpRNAs accumulated in transplastomic lines of N. benthamiana and conferred strong protection against H. armigera herbivory while the hpRNAs of nuclear-transformed plants were processed into siRNAs and gave more modest anti-feeding activity. This suggests that there is little or no RNAi machinery or activity in the chloroplast, that hpRNAs produced within this organelle do not enter the cytoplasm, and that oral delivery of chloroplast-packaged intact hpRNA is a more effective means of delivering TK-RNAi than using nuclear encoded hpRNAs. This contrasts with a recently reported correlation between siRNA expression and effectiveness of TK-RNAi targeting the chitinase gene of H. armigera, but is consistent with reports of efficient TK-RNAi by dsRNA generated in chloroplasts by converging promoters flanking a pest gene sequence and from very small (21 nt-stem) hpRNAs resembling artificial miRNAs. Here we demonstrate that hpRNAs, constructed along the conventional design principles of plant RNAi constructs but integrated into the chloroplast genome, are stable and effective over multiple generations, and hold the promise of providing durable pest resistance in crops.

Identification of CYP82E21 as a functional nicotine N-demethylase in tobacco flowers

In the tobacco plant, nicotine N-demethylase enzymes (NND) belonging to the cytochrome P450 family catalyse the conversion of nicotine to nornicotine, the precursor of the carcinogenic tobacco-specific N-nitrosamine, N-nitrosonornicotine. To date three demethylase genes, namely CYP82E4, CYP82E5 and CYP82E10, have been shown to be involved in this process, while the related CYP82E2 and CYP82E3 genes are not functional. We have identified a further gene named CYP82E21 encoding a putative nicotine N-demethylase closely related to the CYP82E genes. The CYP82E21 gene was found in all Nicotiana tabacum cultivars analysed and originates from the tobacco ancestor Nicotiana tomentosiformis. We show that, in contrast to all other previously characterized NND genes, CYP82E21 is not expressed in green or senescent leaves, but in flowers, more specifically in ovaries. The nicotine N-demethylase activity of CYP82E21 was confirmed by ectopic expression of the coding sequence in a tobacco line lacking functional CYP82E4, CYP82E5 and CYP82E10 genes, resulting in an eightfold increase of nicotine demethylation compared to the control plants. Furthermore, nornicotine formation can be reduced in ovaries by introducing a CYP82E21-specific RNAi construct. Together, our results demonstrate that the CYP82E21 gene encodes a functional ovary-specific nicotine N-demethylase.

Integration of a hairpin RNA-encoding gene derived from Tobacco streak virus confers resistance in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) against peanut stem necrosis disease

The feasibility of controlling peanut stem necrosis disease caused by Tobacco streak virus (TSV) in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) was explored by expressing double-stranded RNA of the replicase (Rep) gene of TSV in groundnut through genetic engineering. A hairpin (hp) RNAi construct containing 535-bp sense and antisense TSV-Rep sequences flanking a 742-bp spacer sequence (Pdk intron) under the control of the constitutive Cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter was made in the binary vector pART27. This chimeric gene construct was then mobilized into Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain LBA4404 via triparental mating using pRK2013 as a helper. Cotyledon explants of groundnut cultivar TMV-7 were transformed with A. tumefaciens harboring the hpRNA cassette. The presence of the transgene in the transgenic plants was confirmed up to T3 generation by PCR amplification of the 535-bp fragment of TSV-Rep gene. The bioassay results indicated that necrotic lesions were observed on the leaves of the wild-type plants 7–9 days after inoculation with TSV and stem necrosis appeared 16–20 days after inoculation, whereas the transgenic plants did not develop symptoms until harvest. ELISA results indicated that the wild-type plants inoculated with TSV recorded the highest virus concentration as compared to the transgenic lines.

A unified approach towards Trypanosoma brucei functional genomics using Gibson assembly

Trypanosoma brucei is the causative agent of human African trypanosomiasis and nagana in cattle. Recent advances in high throughput phenotypic and interaction screens have identified a wealth of novel candidate proteins for diverse functions such as drug resistance, life cycle progression, and cytoskeletal biogenesis. Characterization of these proteins will allow a more mechanistic understanding of the biology of this important pathogen and could identify novel drug targets. However, methods for rapidly validating and prioritizing these potential targets are still being developed. While gene tagging via homologous recombination and RNA interference are available in T. brucei, a general strategy for creating the most effective constructs for these approaches is lacking. Here, we adapt Gibson assembly, a one-step isothermal process that rapidly assembles multiple DNA segments in a single reaction, to create endogenous tagging, overexpression, and long hairpin RNAi constructs that are compatible with well-established T. brucei vectors. The generality of the Gibson approach has several advantages over current methodologies and substantially increases the speed and ease with which these constructs can be assembled.

Effect of RNAi-mediated gene silencing of starch phosphorylase L and starch-associated R1 on cold-induced sweetening in potato

ABSTRACTTo decrease the accumulation of reducing and non-reducing sugars in potato tubers stored at low temperature, a multiple gene-silencing vector pBIPhLSAR1-IR possessing a part of starch phosphorylase L and starch-associated R1 genes was constructed and transformed into potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cultivars Agria and Marfona. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and southern blotting indicated that the RNAi construct was transformed successfully into the genome. Real-time reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) analysis showed that the expression level of starch phosphorylase L and starch-associated R1 genes was reduced in transgenic microtubers in relation to the non-transgenic plants. The accumulation of total and reducing sugars in transgenic microtubers was significantly decreased (up to 58% in line AM6) compared to the control. Repression of these genes decreased the phosphate content of starch and increased starch content in transgenic microtubers, implying that silencing of starch phosphorylase L and starch-associated R1 genes reduced starch breakdown during cold storage conditions.

DOWN-REGULATION OF NTR GENES BY RNAi IN THE cad2 MUTANT IMPAIRS PLANT DEVELOPMENT OF Arabidopsis thaliana

The NADPH-Thioredoxin System (NTS) and NADPH Glutathione System (NGS) are the two major thiol reduction systems that play a key role in the maintenance of cellular redox homeostasis and several plant developmental processes. Crosstalk between these two thiol reduction systems has been studied by associating TRX reductase (ntra ntrb) and glutathione biosynthesis (cad2) mutations. Triple ntra ntrb cad2 mutant revealed a new phenotype related to flower meristem development. Unfortunately, this mutant is unfertile and therefore it cannot be maintained at a homozygous stage. In this study, we used the RNAi technique to obtain close similar phenotype to this mutant, but that are fertile. RNAi strategy is performed by down-regulating the expression of both NTR genes by introducing RNAi construct harbouring two head-to-tail copies of the NTRA gene in the genetic background of the cad2 mutant. The transformed plants obtained exhibit attenuated phenotypes compared to the ntra ntrb cad2 mutant. Remarkably, no plants exhibit the characteristic pin-like phenotype of the ntra ntrb cad2 mutant was obtained. However, some plants looks fertile but show a decrease of the apical dominance. Others are more affected and show unfertile flowers. Our data show that the RNAi strategy is an efficient strategy to generate fertile plants with down-regulated NTS and NGS reduction systems and to investigate the crosstalk between these two thiol systems.

An Evolutionarily Conserved PLC-PKD-TFEB Pathway for Host Defense.

The mechanisms that tightly control the transcriptionof host defense genes have not been fully elucidated. We previously identified TFEB as a transcription factor important for host defense, but the mechanisms that regulate TFEB during infection remained unknown. Here, we used C.elegans to discover a pathway that activates TFEB during infection. Gene dkf-1, which encodes a homolog of protein kinase D (PKD), was required for TFEB activation in nematodes infected with Staphylococcus aureus. Conversely, pharmacological activation of PKD wassufficient to activate TFEB. Furthermore, phospholipase C (PLC) gene plc-1 was also required for TFEB activation, downstream of Gαq homolog egl-30 and upstream of dkf-1. Using reverse and chemical genetics, we discovered a similar PLC-PKD-TFEB axis in Salmonella-infected mouse macrophages. In addition, PKCα was required in macrophages. These observations reveal a previously unknown host defense signaling pathway, which has been conserved across one billion years of evolution.

Effects of down-regulating ornithine decarboxylase upon putrescine-associated metabolism and growth in Nicotiana tabacum L.

Transgenic plants of Nicotiana tabacum L. homozygous for an RNAi construct designed to silence ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) had significantly lower concentrations of nicotine and nornicotine, but significantly higher concentrations of anatabine, compared with vector-only controls. Silencing of ODC also led to significantly reduced concentrations of polyamines (putrescine, spermidine and spermine), tyramine and phenolamides (caffeoylputrescine and dicaffeoylspermidine) with concomitant increases in concentrations of amino acids ornithine, arginine, aspartate, glutamate and glutamine. Root transcript levels of S-adenosyl methionine decarboxylase, S-adenosyl methionine synthase and spermidine synthase (polyamine synthesis enzymes) were reduced compared with vector controls, whilst transcript levels of arginine decarboxylase (putrescine synthesis), putrescine methyltransferase (nicotine production) and multi-drug and toxic compound extrusion (alkaloid transport) proteins were elevated. In contrast, expression of two other key proteins required for alkaloid synthesis, quinolinic acid phosphoribosyltransferase (nicotinic acid production) and a PIP-family oxidoreductase (nicotinic acid condensation reactions), were diminished in roots of odc-RNAi plants relative to vector-only controls. Transcriptional and biochemical differences associated with polyamine and alkaloid metabolism were exacerbated in odc-RNAi plants in response to different forms of shoot damage. In general, apex removal had a greater effect than leaf wounding alone, with a combination of these injury treatments producing synergistic responses in some cases. Reduced expression of ODC appeared to have negative effects upon plant growth and vigour with some leaves of odc-RNAi lines being brittle and bleached compared with vector-only controls. Together, results of this study demonstrate that ornithine decarboxylase has important roles in facilitating both primary and secondary metabolism in Nicotiana.

The AtGRXS3/4/5/7/8 glutaredoxin gene cluster on Arabidopsis thaliana chromosome 4 is coordinately regulated by nitrate and appears to control primary root growth

ABSTRACTNitrate and ammonium are the 2 most common forms of inorganic nitrogen available to plants in the soil. We previously identified a group of class III glutaredoxin genes whose expression is strongly upregulated by nitrate, but not ammonium, in Arabidopsis thaliana shoots and roots. A reverse genetics approach was used to functionally characterize a subset of these nitrate-regulated glutaredoxins, and we found that the AtGRXS3,4,5, and 8 genes function as negative regulators of primary root growth. AtGRXS3/4/5/8 are arranged in a tandem array on Arabidopsis chromosome 4, and these genes show very high levels of sequence similarity. Interestingly, there is one additional glutaredoxin, AtGRXS7, in this same gene cluster, but this gene was not identified as nitrate-responsive in our previous studies. We show here that AtGRXS7 is upregulated by nitrate and shows strong co-expression with the other glutaredoxins in this gene cluster. Further, AtGRXS7 was effectively silenced by the RNAi construct used to target AtGRXS3/4/5/8 for previous functional analyses. Overall, it appears that the 5 genes in the AtGRX3/4/5/7/8 cluster share virtually identical sequences, regulatory patterns, and functions, collectively acting to regulate primary root growth in response to soil nitrate.

English

Cassava production in India is drastically affected by cassava mosaic disease (CMD) caused by the Indian cassava mosaic virus (ICMV) and Sri Lankan cassava mosaic virus (SLCMV). An attempt was done to develop transgenic cassava lines resistant to SLCMV through RNAi vector targeting a conserved 440 bp of 5’ end of SLCMV Rep (AC1) gene which also overlaps with part of AC4 gene, and functions as a viral RNAi suppressor protein. The partial Rep gene of SLCMV was cloned in sense and anti-sense orientations in the RNAi intermediate vector, pHANNIBAL and finally mobilised into binary vector pART27, to construct pSCR1 which contains the kanamycin-resistance gene as a plant selectable marker. In order to use hygromycin as selection agent in cassava genetic transformation, Rep-RNAi gene cassettes of SLCMV was cloned into pCAMBIA1305.2 and the constructs was named pSCR2. Agrobacterium mediated cocultivation of cassava embryogenic calli was done with the developed RNAi constructs using two different explants namely, immature leaf lobes and somatic cotyledons. In total, 48 putative transgenic cassava shoots were regenerated on a regeneration medium containing 30 mgl/l hygromycin, of which 2 putative transgenic plants were transferred for hardening. All the putative transgenic cassava plants were PCR-positive for hph gene and Rep gene indicating integration of transgenes of interest. Key words: RNAi constructs, cocultivation, cassava mosaic disease (CMD).

RNAi-mediated resistance against Cotton leaf curl disease in elite Indian cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) cultivar Narasimha.

Cotton leaf curl disease (CLCuD) is caused by several distinct begomovirus species in association with disease-specific betasatellite essential for induction of disease symptoms. CLCuD is a serious threat for the cultivation of cotton (Gossypium sp.) and several species in the family Malvaceae. In this study, RNAi-based approach was applied to generate transgenic cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) plants resistant to Cotton leaf curl Rajasthan virus (CLCuRV). An intron hairpin (ihp) RNAi construct capable of expressing dsRNA homologous to the intergenic region (IR) of CLCuRV was designed and developed. Following Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation of cotton (G. hirsutum cv. Narasimha) plants with the designed ihpRNAi construct, a total of 9 independent lines of transformed cotton were obtained. The presence of the potential stretch of IR in the transformed cotton was confirmed by PCR coupled with Southern hybridization. Upon inoculation with viruliferous whiteflies, the transgenic plants showed high degree of resistance. None of them displayed any CLCuD symptoms even after 90days post inoculation. The transformed cotton plants showed the presence of siRNAs. The present study demonstrated that ihp dsRNA-mediated resistance strategy of RNAi is an effective means to combat the CLCuD infection in cotton.

RNAi and Homologous Over-Expression Based Functional Approaches Reveal Triterpenoid Synthase Gene-Cycloartenol Synthase Is Involved in Downstream Withanolide Biosynthesis in Withania somnifera.

Withania somnifera Dunal, is one of the most commonly used medicinal plant in Ayurvedic and indigenous medicine traditionally owing to its therapeutic potential, because of major chemical constituents, withanolides. Withanolide biosynthesis requires the activities of several enzymes in vivo. Cycloartenol synthase (CAS) is an important enzyme in the withanolide biosynthetic pathway, catalyzing cyclization of 2, 3 oxidosqualene into cycloartenol. In the present study, we have cloned full-length WsCAS from Withania somnifera by homology-based PCR method. For gene function investigation, we constructed three RNAi gene-silencing constructs in backbone of RNAi vector pGSA and a full-length over-expression construct. These constructs were transformed in Agrobacterium strain GV3101 for plant transformation in W. somnifera. Molecular and metabolite analysis was performed in putative Withania transformants. The PCR and Southern blot results showed the genomic integration of these RNAi and overexpression construct(s) in Withania genome. The qRT-PCR analysis showed that the expression of WsCAS gene was considerably downregulated in stable transgenic silenced Withania lines compared with the non-transformed control and HPLC analysis showed that withanolide content was greatly reduced in silenced lines. Transgenic plants over expressing CAS gene displayed enhanced level of CAS transcript and withanolide content compared to non-transformed controls. This work is the first full proof report of functional validation of any metabolic pathway gene in W. somnifera at whole plant level as per our knowledge and it will be further useful to understand the regulatory role of different genes involved in the biosynthesis of withanolides.

A Modular Assembly Platform for Rapid Generation of DNA Constructs.

Traditional cloning methods have limitations on the number of DNA fragments that can be simultaneously manipulated, which dramatically slows the pace of molecular assembly. Here we describe GMAP, a Gibson assembly-based modular assembly platform consisting of a collection of promoters and genes, which allows for one-step production of DNA constructs. GMAP facilitates rapid assembly of expression and viral constructs using modular genetic components, as well as increasingly complicated genetic tools using contextually relevant genomic elements. Our data demonstrate the applicability of GMAP toward the validation of synthetic promoters, identification of potent RNAi constructs, establishment of inducible lentiviral systems, tumor initiation in genetically engineered mouse models, and gene-targeting for the generation of knock-in mice. GMAP represents a recombinant DNA technology designed for widespread circulation and easy adaptation for other uses, such as synthetic biology, genetic screens, and CRISPR-Cas9.

Reduction of MLO1 expression in petunia increases resistance to powdery mildew

Cultivars of Petunia hybrida have been found to be susceptible to Podosphaera xanthii and other powdery mildew species. We examined whether powdery mildew resistance could be obtained through the knockdown of the petunia gene MLO1 by RNAi. Transformation of petunia with an MLO RNAi construct resulted in transgenic plants in which PhMLO1 expression was significantly reduced, but not completely silenced. The growth of Podosphaera xanthii on plants with reduced PhMLO1 expression was delayed and limited in extent compared to control plants. Powdery mildew resistance was found to be heritable in T1 progeny. The reduction in PhMLO1 expression was also associated with lower seed production, reduced germination frequency, and reduced plant height in T1 progeny. The knockdown of PhMLO1 increased resistance to powdery mildew in petunia, but pleiotropic effects on plant growth and development were also observed.

Mechanisms of sex determination and transmission ratio distortion in Aedes aegypti.

BackgroundMore effective mosquito control strategies are urgently required due to the increasing prevalence of insecticide resistance. The sterile insect technique (SIT) and the release of insects carrying a dominant lethal allele (RIDL) are two proposed methods for environmentally-friendly, species-targeted population control. These methods may be more suitable for developing countries if producers reduce the cost of rearing insects. The cost of control programs could be reduced by producing all-male mosquito populations to circumvent the isolation of females before release without reducing male mating competitiveness caused by transgenes.ResultsAn RNAi construct targeting the RNA recognition motif of the Aedes aegypti transformer-2 (tra-2) gene does not trigger female-to-male sex conversion as commonly observed among dipterous insects. Instead, homozygous insects show greater mortality among m-chromosome-bearing sperm and mm zygotes, yielding up to 100 % males in the subsequent generations. The performance of transgenic males was not significantly different to wild-type males in narrow-cage competitive mating experiments.ConclusionOur data provide preliminary evidence that the knockdown of Ae. aegypti tra-2 gene expression causes segregation distortion acting at the level of gametic function, which is reinforced by sex-specific zygotic lethality. This finding could promote the development of new synthetic sex distorter systems for the production of genetic sexing mosquito strains.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-016-1331-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Control of brown patch (Rhizoctonia solani) in tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) by host induced gene silencing.

Transgenic tall fescue plants expressing RNAi constructs of essential genes of Rhizoctonia solani were resistant to R. solani. Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) is an important turf and forage grass species widely used for home lawns and on golf courses in North Carolina and other transition zone states in the US. The most serious and frequently occurring disease of tall fescue is brown patch, caused by a basidiomycete fungus, Rhizoctonia solani. This research demonstrates resistance to brown patch disease achieved by the application of host induced gene silencing. We transformed tall fescue with RNAi constructs of four experimentally determined "essential" genes from R. solani (including genes encoding RNA polymerase, importin beta-1 subunit, Cohesin complex subunit Psm1, and a ubiquitin E3 ligase) to suppress expression of those genes inside the fungus and thus inhibit fungal infection. Four gene constructs were tested, and 19 transgenic plants were obtained, among which 12 plants had detectable accumulation of siRNAs of the target genes. In inoculation tests, six plants displayed significantly improved resistance against R. solani. Lesion size was reduced by as much as 90 %. Plants without RNAi accumulation did not show resistance. To our knowledge, this is the first case that RNAi constructs of pathogen genes introduced into a host plant can confer resistance against a necrotrophic fungus.

Identifying potential PARIS homologs in D. melanogaster.

Mitochondrial destruction leads to the formation of reactive oxygen species, increases cellular stress, causes apoptotic cell death, and involves a cascade of proteins including PARKIN, PINK1, and Mitofusin2. Mitochondrial biogenesis pathways depend upon the activity of the protein PGC-1α. These two processes are coordinated by the activity of a transcriptional repressor, Parkin interacting substrate (PARIS). The PARIS protein is degraded through the activity of the PARKIN protein, which in turn eliminates the transcriptional repression that PARIS imposes upon a downstream target, PGC-1α. Genes in this pathway have been implicated in Parkinson's disease, and there is a strong relationship between mitochondrial dysfunction and pre-mature neuron death. The identification of a PARIS homolog in Drosophila melanogaster would increase our understanding of the roles that PARIS and interacting genes play in higher organisms. We identified three potential PARIS homologs in D. melanogaster, one of which encodes a protein with similar domains to the Homo sapiens PARIS protein, CG15436. The Drosophila eye is formed from neuronal precursors, making it an ideal system to assay the effects of altered gene expression on neuronal tissue formation. The eye-specific expression of RNAi constructs for these genes revealed that both CG15269 and Crol caused neurodegenerative phenotypes, whereas CG15436 produced a phenotype similar to srl-EY. Crol-RNAi expression reduced mean lifespan when expressed in dopaminergic neurons, whereas CG15436-RNAi significantly increased lifespan. CG15436 was PARIS-like in both structure and function, and we characterized the effects of decreased gene expression in both the neuron-rich D. melanogaster eye and in dopaminergic neurons.

Targeting chitinase gene of Helicoverpa armigera by host-induced RNA interference confers insect resistance in tobacco and tomato.

Helicoverpa armigera Hübner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a devastating agricultural insect pest with broad spectrum of host range, causing million dollars crop loss annually. Limitations in the present conventional and transgenic approaches have made it crucial to develop sustainable and environmental friendly methods for crop improvement. In the present study, host-induced RNA interference (HI-RNAi) approach was used to develop H. armigera resistant tobacco and tomato plants. Chitinase (HaCHI) gene, critically required for insect molting and metamorphosis was selected as a potential target. Hair-pin RNAi construct was prepared from the conserved off-target free partial HaCHI gene sequence and was used to generate several HaCHI-RNAi tobacco and tomato plants. Northern hybridization confirmed the production of HaCHI gene-specific siRNAs in HaCHI-RNAi tobacco and tomato lines. Continuous feeding on leaves of RNAi lines drastically reduced the target gene transcripts and consequently, affected the overall growth and survival of H. armigera. Various developmental deformities were also manifested in H. armigera larvae after feeding on the leaves of RNAi lines. These results demonstrated the role of chitinase in insect development and potential of HI-RNAi for effective management of H. armigera.