אסיף מאגר המחקר החקלאי

Tissue-specific gene silencing by RNA interference in the whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius)

Year:

2007

Source of publication :

Authors :

Volume :

37

Co-Authors:

Ghanim, M., Department of Entomology, Institute of Plant Protection, Agricultural Research Organization, P.O. Box 6, Bet Dagan, 50250, Israel
Kontsedalov, S., Department of Entomology, Institute of Plant Protection, Agricultural Research Organization, P.O. Box 6, Bet Dagan, 50250, Israel
Czosnek, H., The Robert H. Smith Institute of Plant Sciences and Genetics in Agriculture, Faculty of Agriculture, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, 76100, Israel

Facilitators :

Link :

Abstract:

The hemipteran whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) species complex and the plant viruses they transmit pose major constraints to vegetable and fiber production, worldwide. The whitefly tissue- and developmental-specific gene expression has not been exhaustively studied despite its economic importance. In 2002, a functional genomic project was initiated, which generated several thousands expressed sequence tags (ESTs) and their sequence. This project provides the basic information to design experiments aimed at understanding and manipulating whitefly gene expression. In this communication, for the first time we provide evidence that the RNA interference mechanism discovered in many organisms, including in Hemiptera, is active in B. tabaci. By injecting into the body cavity long double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) molecules, specifically directed against genes uniquely expressed in the midgut and salivary glands, we were able to significantly inhibit the expression of the targeted mRNA in the different organs. Gene expression levels in RNAi-silenced whiteflies were reduced up to 70% compared to whiteflies injected with buffer or with a green fluorescent protein (GFP)-specific dsRNA. Phenotypic effects were observed in B. tabaci ovaries following dsRNA targeting the whitefly Drosophila chickadee homologue. Disruption of whitefly gene expression opens the door to new strategies aimed at curbing down the deleterious effects of this insect pest to agriculture. © 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Note:

Related Files :

Related Content

More details

You may also be interested in