Premium
In vivo RNA interference in oyster – vasa silencing inhibits germ cell development
Author(s) -
Fabioux Caroline,
Corporeau Charlotte,
Quillien Virgile,
Favrel Pascal,
Huvet Arnaud
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
the febs journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.981
H-Index - 204
eISSN - 1742-4658
pISSN - 1742-464X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1742-4658.2009.06982.x
Subject(s) - gene knockdown , rna interference , crassostrea , biology , gene silencing , oyster , germ cell , rna silencing , microbiology and biotechnology , mitosis , meiosis , pacific oyster , phenotype , gene , rna , genetics , fishery
This study investigated the potential of RNA interference, which is technically challenging in bivalve mollusc species, to assess gene function in the oyster Crassostrea gigas . We designed dsRNA targeting the oyster vasa ‐like gene ( Oyvlg ), specifically expressed in oyster germ cells. In vivo injection of oyvl ‐dsRNA into the gonad provokes a knockdown phenotype corresponding to germ cell underproliferation and prematurely arrested meiosis througout the organ. The most severe phenotype observed is sterile. This knockdown phenotype is associated with a decrease in Oyvlg mRNA level of between 39% and 87%, and a strong reduction in OYVLG protein, to an undetectable level. Therefore, Oyvlg appears to be essential for germ cell development in Crassostrea gigas , particularly for mitotic proliferation and early meiosis. Our results demonstrate for the first time that in vivo RNA interference works efficiently in a bivalve species, opening major perspectives for functional genetic studies.