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RNA interference of an antimicrobial peptide, Btdef, reduces Tomato yellow leaf curl China virus accumulation in the whitefly Bemisia tabaci
Author(s) -
Wang Zhizhi,
Bing Xiaoli,
Liu Shusheng,
Chen Xuexin
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
pest management science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.296
H-Index - 125
eISSN - 1526-4998
pISSN - 1526-498X
DOI - 10.1002/ps.4472
Subject(s) - whitefly , begomovirus , biology , leaf curl , tomato yellow leaf curl virus , vector (molecular biology) , antimicrobial peptides , rna interference , geminiviridae , plant virus , rna silencing , virology , gene , gene silencing , botany , virus , antimicrobial , rna , microbiology and biotechnology , genetics , recombinant dna
BACKGROUND The whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) is considered one of the main pests for agriculture. One important problem with the whitefly is its notorious status as a vector for plant viruses, primarily begomoviruses. We have previously identified a defensin‐like antimicrobial peptide, Btdef, from the whitefly B. tabaci MEAM1 . However, the function of Btdef in the immune system of the insect vector and begomovirus transmission has yet to be explored. RESULTS To explore the role of Btdef during begomovirus transmission, we firstly investigated the transcriptional response of Btdef following acquisition of Tomato yellow leaf curl China virus ( TYLCCNV ). The expression of Btdef was up‐regulated in the viruliferous whiteflies. After RNA silencing of the Btdef gene in adult whiteflies fed with dsRNA , they were allowed to feed on TYLCCNV ‐infected plants and then quantified for TYLCCNV DNA titre. Unexpectedly, silencing the Btdef gene reduced both the abundance and expressions of TYLCCNV genes in the whiteflies. In the meantime, the density of the endosymbiont Rickettsia was significantly reduced in ds Btdef ‐fed whiteflies. CONCLUSION Our data provide evidence that Btdef is involved in begomovirus infection, possibly through symbiont‐mediated alteration of begomovirus–whitefly interactions. These findings indicate that Btdef may be targeted for the development of new technology for the control of whitefly‐transmitted begomoviruses. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry