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Targeting the potassium ion channel genes SK and SH as a novel approach for control of insect pests: efficacy and biosafety
Author(s) -
Alshukri Baida,
Astarita Federica,
AlEsawy Mushtaq,
El Halim Hesham Mohamed El Sayed Abd,
Pennacchio Francesco,
Gatehouse Angharad Margaret Roscoe,
Edwards Martin Gethin
Publication year - 2019
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.5516
Subject(s) - gene knockdown , biology , rna interference , biosafety , rna silencing , potassium channel , gene , larva , insect , potassium , toxicology , botany , rna , microbiology and biotechnology , genetics , biophysics , chemistry , organic chemistry
BACKGROUND Potassium ion channels play a critical role in the generation of electrical signals and thus provide potential targets for control of insect pests by RNA interference. RESULTS Genes encoding the small conductance calcium‐activated potassium channel ( SK ) and the voltage‐gated potassium channel ( SH ) were knocked down in Tribolium castaneum by injection and oral delivery of dsRNA (dsTcSK and dsTcSH, respectively). Irrespective of the delivery mechanism a dose‐dependent effect was observed for knockdown (KD) of gene expression and insect mortality for both genes. Larvae fed a 400 ng dsRNA mg –1 diet showed significant gene ( P < 0.05) knockdown (98% and 83%) for SK and SH , respectively, with corresponding mortalities of 100% and 98% after 7 days. When injected (248.4 ng larva –1 ), gene KD was 99% and 98% for SK and SH , causing 100% and 73.4% mortality, respectively. All developmental stages tested (larvae, early‐ and late‐stage pupae and adults) showed an RNAi‐sensitive response for both genes. LC50 values were lower for SK than SH , irrespective of delivery method, demonstrating that the knockdown of SK had a greater effect on larval mortality. Biosafety studies using adult honeybee Apis mellifera showed that there were no significant differences either in expression levels or mortality of honeybees orally dosed with dsTcSK and dsTcSH compared to control‐fed bees. Similarly, there was no significant difference in the titre of deformed wing virus, used as a measure of immune suppression, between experimental and control bees. CONCLUSION This study demonstrates the potential of using RNAi targeting neural receptors as a technology for the control of T. castaneum . © 2019 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.