Transgenic expression of dsRNA targeting the Pentalonia nigronervosa acetylcholinesterase gene in banana and plantain reduces aphid populations

The banana aphid, Pentalonia nigronervosa, is the sole insect vector of banana bunchy top virus (BBTV), the causal agent of banana bunchy top disease. The aphid acquires and transmits BBTV while feeding on infected banana plants. RNA interference (RNAi) enables the generation of pest and disease-res...

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Autores principales: Jekayinoluwa, T., Tripathi, J., Dugdale, B., Obiero, G., Muge, E., Dale, J., Tripathi, L.
Formato: Journal Article
Lenguaje:Inglés
Publicado: MDPI 2021
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/114222
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author Jekayinoluwa, T.
Tripathi, J.
Dugdale, B.
Obiero, G.
Muge, E.
Dale, J.
Tripathi, L.
author_browse Dale, J.
Dugdale, B.
Jekayinoluwa, T.
Muge, E.
Obiero, G.
Tripathi, J.
Tripathi, L.
author_facet Jekayinoluwa, T.
Tripathi, J.
Dugdale, B.
Obiero, G.
Muge, E.
Dale, J.
Tripathi, L.
author_sort Jekayinoluwa, T.
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description The banana aphid, Pentalonia nigronervosa, is the sole insect vector of banana bunchy top virus (BBTV), the causal agent of banana bunchy top disease. The aphid acquires and transmits BBTV while feeding on infected banana plants. RNA interference (RNAi) enables the generation of pest and disease-resistant crops; however, its effectiveness relies on the identification of pivotal gene sequences to target and silence. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is an essential enzyme responsible for the hydrolytic metabolism of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in animals. In this study, the AChE gene of the banana aphid was targeted for silencing by RNAi through transgenic expression of AChE dsRNA in banana and plantain plants. The efficacy of dsRNA was first assessed using an artificial feeding assay. In vitro aphid feeding on a diet containing 7.5% sucrose, and sulfate complexes of trace metals supported aphid growth and reproduction. When AChE dsRNA was included in the diet, a dose of 500 ng/μL was lethal to the aphids. Transgenic banana cv. Cavendish Williams and plantain cvs. Gonja Manjaya and Orishele expressing AChE dsRNA were regenerated and assessed for transgene integration and copy number. When aphids were maintained on elite transgenic events, there was a 67.8%, 46.7%, and 75.6% reduction in aphid populations growing on Cavendish Williams, Gonja Manjaya, and Orishele cultivars, respectively, compared to those raised on nontransgenic control plants. These results suggest that RNAi targeting an essential aphid gene could be a useful means of reducing both aphid infestation and potentially the spread of the disease they transmit.
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spelling CGSpace1142222025-11-11T10:31:10Z Transgenic expression of dsRNA targeting the Pentalonia nigronervosa acetylcholinesterase gene in banana and plantain reduces aphid populations Jekayinoluwa, T. Tripathi, J. Dugdale, B. Obiero, G. Muge, E. Dale, J. Tripathi, L. bananas plantains rna acetylcholinesterase aphidoidea sugars diet plant diseases The banana aphid, Pentalonia nigronervosa, is the sole insect vector of banana bunchy top virus (BBTV), the causal agent of banana bunchy top disease. The aphid acquires and transmits BBTV while feeding on infected banana plants. RNA interference (RNAi) enables the generation of pest and disease-resistant crops; however, its effectiveness relies on the identification of pivotal gene sequences to target and silence. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is an essential enzyme responsible for the hydrolytic metabolism of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in animals. In this study, the AChE gene of the banana aphid was targeted for silencing by RNAi through transgenic expression of AChE dsRNA in banana and plantain plants. The efficacy of dsRNA was first assessed using an artificial feeding assay. In vitro aphid feeding on a diet containing 7.5% sucrose, and sulfate complexes of trace metals supported aphid growth and reproduction. When AChE dsRNA was included in the diet, a dose of 500 ng/μL was lethal to the aphids. Transgenic banana cv. Cavendish Williams and plantain cvs. Gonja Manjaya and Orishele expressing AChE dsRNA were regenerated and assessed for transgene integration and copy number. When aphids were maintained on elite transgenic events, there was a 67.8%, 46.7%, and 75.6% reduction in aphid populations growing on Cavendish Williams, Gonja Manjaya, and Orishele cultivars, respectively, compared to those raised on nontransgenic control plants. These results suggest that RNAi targeting an essential aphid gene could be a useful means of reducing both aphid infestation and potentially the spread of the disease they transmit. 2021-03-24 2021-07-07T15:19:13Z 2021-07-07T15:19:13Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/114222 en Open Access application/pdf MDPI Jekayinoluwa, T., Tripathi, J., Dugdale, B., Obiero, G., Muge, E., Dale, J. & Tripathi, L. (2021). Transgenic expression of dsRNA targeting the Pentalonia nigronervosa acetylcholinesterase gene in banana and plantain reduces aphid populations. Plants, 10(4), 613: 1-18.
spellingShingle bananas
plantains
rna
acetylcholinesterase
aphidoidea
sugars
diet
plant diseases
Jekayinoluwa, T.
Tripathi, J.
Dugdale, B.
Obiero, G.
Muge, E.
Dale, J.
Tripathi, L.
Transgenic expression of dsRNA targeting the Pentalonia nigronervosa acetylcholinesterase gene in banana and plantain reduces aphid populations
title Transgenic expression of dsRNA targeting the Pentalonia nigronervosa acetylcholinesterase gene in banana and plantain reduces aphid populations
title_full Transgenic expression of dsRNA targeting the Pentalonia nigronervosa acetylcholinesterase gene in banana and plantain reduces aphid populations
title_fullStr Transgenic expression of dsRNA targeting the Pentalonia nigronervosa acetylcholinesterase gene in banana and plantain reduces aphid populations
title_full_unstemmed Transgenic expression of dsRNA targeting the Pentalonia nigronervosa acetylcholinesterase gene in banana and plantain reduces aphid populations
title_short Transgenic expression of dsRNA targeting the Pentalonia nigronervosa acetylcholinesterase gene in banana and plantain reduces aphid populations
title_sort transgenic expression of dsrna targeting the pentalonia nigronervosa acetylcholinesterase gene in banana and plantain reduces aphid populations
topic bananas
plantains
rna
acetylcholinesterase
aphidoidea
sugars
diet
plant diseases
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/114222
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