Beitrag
Silencing of ATP synthase β induces female sterility in a leafhopper phytoplasma vector
Galetto, Luciana; Ripamonti, Matteo; Abbà, Simona; Rossi, Marika; Manfredi, Marcello; Bosco, Domenico; Marzachì, Cristina
Entomologia Generalis Volume 41 Number 5 (2021), p. 497 - 510
veröffentlicht: Oct 29, 2021
Online veröffentlicht: Jul 26, 2021
Manuskript akzeptiert: Apr 13, 2021
finale Ms. Revision erhalten: Feb 22, 2021
Manuskript-Revision angefordert: Jan 2, 2021
Manuskript erhalten: Dec 22, 2020
DOI: 10.1127/entomologia/2021/1267
Open Access (Arbeit kann kostenlos heruntergeladen werden)
Abstract
The leafhopper Euscelidius variegatus Kirschbaum (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) is a natural vector of the ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris’ and a laboratory vector of the phytoplasma associated with grapevine Flavescence dorée. Previous studies indicated that RNA interference (RNAi) by dsRNA injection efficiently works in E. variegatus and that silencing of ATP synthase β increases mortality and impairs phytoplasma multiplication. Here, a nearly complete female sterility was observed when ATP synthase β was silenced. The sterility was associated with the absence of mature eggs in the ovaries. On the contrary, male genitalia morphology and sperm motility were similar to those observed in E. variegatus control specimens, treated with dsRNAs targeting green fluorescent protein (dsGFP). An over-expression of hexamerin (amino acid storage protein) and cathepsin L (lysosome proteinase) was observed at transcript and protein level in dsATP-injected females in comparison with dsGFP-injected insects, in both whole body and dissected ovary samples. Conversely, the expression of other genes known to be involved in oocyte development, namely vitellogenin, perilipin and digestive cystein protein, was not altered in dsATP-injected E. variegatus insects in comparison with dsGFP ones. Possible roles of ATP synthase β, hexamerin and cathepsin L in oocyte and egg development are discussed. Insecticide treatments against vectors are the main strategies to counteract phytoplasma diseases, with negative impact on environment and public health. RNAi is a promising sustainable approach against insect vectors and ATP synthase β could be a valid target gene, as its silencing, besides increasing mortality and reducing phytoplasma multiplication, induces female sterility.
Schlagworte
Euscelidius variegatus • Hemiptera: Cicadellidae • RNA interference • hexamerin • cathepsin L • Flavescence dorée phytoplasma