Analysis of the lethal effect of RNA interfering with TcRXR2 on the egg stage of Tetranychus cinnabarinus
Author of the article:RAO Teng-Yue, MA Ting, SHEN Guang-Mao, ZHANG Zan
Author's Workplace:College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
Key Words:RNA interference; Tetranychus cinnabarinus; pest mite control; retinoid X receptor 2
Abstract:
Abstract [Aim] To utilize RNA interference (RNAi) technology to identify crucial genes involved in the hatching process of Tetranychus cinnabarinus, and thereby lay the groundwork for the development of targeted RNAi control techniques specifically aimed at the egg stage of this pest. [Methods] Genes specifically expressed during the egg stage of T. cinnabarinus were screened using gene cloning, sequence analysis, and qPCR. One, the retinoid X receptor 2 (TcRXR2), was identified and subjected to RNAi. Phenotypic observations were conducted to analyze the impact of RNAi on TcRXR2 gene expression in various developmental stages of T. cinnabarinus. [Results] The full-length sequence of TcRXR2 was successfully cloned, with an open reading frame of 1 293 bp, encoding 430 amino acids. It features a nuclear receptor DNA-binding domain (DBD) and a ligand-binding domain (LBD). TcRXR2 was highly expressed during the second nymph stage, with no significant differences in expression in other stages (P<0.05). However, further examination of its expression during egg development revealed that its expression significantly increased as development progressed. Nymphs that were continuously fed dsTcRXR2 were still able to successfully develop into mites. However, the treatment of eggs with dots of dsTcRXR2 significantly affected hatching, demonstrating a lethal effect on embryos. These results suggest that the TcRXR2 gene is a specific RNAi target that influences the hatching of T. cinnabarinus eggs. [Conclusion] A specific RNAi target with lethal effects on the eggs of T. cinnabarinus, was successfully identified, thereby providing a foundation for utilizing RNAi technology to control this pest.