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RNA interference‐mediated knockdown of the transcription factor Krüppel homologue 1 suppresses vitellogenesis in Chilo suppressalis
Author(s) -
Tang Y.,
He H.,
Qu X.,
Cai Y.,
Ding W.,
Qiu L.,
Li Y.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
insect molecular biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.955
H-Index - 93
eISSN - 1365-2583
pISSN - 0962-1075
DOI - 10.1111/imb.12617
Subject(s) - chilo suppressalis , vitellogenesis , biology , juvenile hormone , gene knockdown , krüppel , vitellogenin , rna interference , transcription factor , oocyte , microbiology and biotechnology , gene , yolk , transcription (linguistics) , rna , genetics , insect , botany , embryo , ecology , linguistics , philosophy , lepidoptera genitalia
Vitellogenesis in holometabolous insects involves the production and secretion of vitellogenin (Vg) and other yolk protein precursors in developing oocyte by the fat body, all of which is predominantly orchestrated by juvenile hormone (JH). Krüppel homologue 1 ( Kr‐h1 ) is a zinc finger transcription factor that has been demonstrated to be a JH‐early inducible gene and to contribute to reproduction. However, the exact molecular function of Kr‐h1 in insect reproduction is poorly understood. In the current study, we used the notorious pest Chilo suppressalis as a model system to investigate the role of Kr‐h1 in female reproduction. Cloning and sequencing C. suppressalis Kr‐h1 revealed that it shares high identity with its homologues from other lepidopteran insects. Moreover, RNA interference‐mediated knockdown of CsKr‐h1 substantially reduced the transcription of Vg in the fat body, dramatically decreased yolk protein deposition and also impaired oocyte maturation and ovarian development, indicating that Kr‐h1 is indispensable for normal vitellogenesis in C. suppressalis . Based on these results, we conclude that Kr‐h1 is crucial to reproduction in insects and that targeting this gene could potentially be a new way to suppress rice pests.