Biofunctional analysis of Vitellogenin and Vitellogenin receptor in citrus red mites, Panonychus citri by RNA interference. Issue 1 (December 2017) - Ali, Muhammad
Abstract Panonychus citri is one of the most damaging pests of horticultural crops. Conventional control of this pest population through pesticides has led to the enhanced pest resistance. Management ofP. citri population through RNAi, is still largely unknown. In oviparous organisms, fabrication and development of yolk protein play a vital role in the reproduction.Vitellin (Vn) is the source of eggs storage that helps in proper functioning ofVitellogenin (Vg ) andVitellogenin receptor (VgR ).VgR is very compulsory protein for the development ofVg into oocytes. In the current study, Vg (PcVg ) andVgR (PcVgR ) genes were studied and their expressions at different developmental stages were quantified by RT-qPCR. Females treated with dsRNA ofPcVg andPcVgR genes exhibited reduction in gene expression. Down regulation of target genes significantly effected oviposition and reduced the egg laying capacity up to 48% as compared to control (ds-egfp). Synergistic effect of target gene's dsRNA was also accessed that reduced the egg laying up to 60.42%. Furthermore, combination of target dsRNA on deutonymph and protonymph also resulted in 67% and 70% reduction in eggs, respectively. Synergistic effect of dsRNA at 1000 ng/ul resulted in longer life span as compared to control treatments. This study suggests to develop a new strategy ofP. citri population control by reducing its reproduction.