Silencing of the BtTPS genes by transgenic plant‐mediated RNAi to control Bemisia tabaci MED. Issue 3 (4th December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gong, Cheng; Yang, Zezhong; Hu, Yuan; Wu, Qingjun; Wang, Shaoli; Guo, Zhaojiang; Zhang, Youjun
• Is Part Of: Pest management science. Volume 78:Issue 3(2022)
• Page Start: 1128
• Page End: 1137
• Publication Date: 2021-12-04
• Subjects: Bemisia tabaci -- trehalose‐6‐phosphate synthase -- RNA interference -- transgenic plant -- combinatorial RNAi -- pest control; Pests -- Control -- Periodicals; Pesticides -- Periodicals; 632.9
• DOI: 10.1002/ps.6727
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1526-498X

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Whitefly ( Bemisia tabaci ) is a typical pest that causes severe damage to hundreds of agricultural crops. The trehalose‐6‐phosphate synthase ( TPS ) genes, as the key genes in the insect trehalose synthesis pathway, are important for insect growth and development. The whitefly TPS genes may be a main reason for the severe damage and may represent potential targets for the control of whiteflies. Results: In this study, we identified and cloned three TPS genes from B. tabaci MED and found that the BtTPS1 and BtTPS2 genes showed higher expression levels than the BtTPS3 gene. Then, RNA interference (RNAi) of BtTPS1 and BtTPS2 resulted in significant mortality and influenced the expression of related genes involved in energy metabolism and chitin biosynthesis in whitefly adults. Finally, the transgenic tobacco plants showed a significant effect on B. tabaci, and knockdown of BtTPS1 or BtTPS2 led to retarded growth and low hatchability in whitefly nymphs, and caused 90% mortality and decreased the fecundity in whitefly adults. Additionally, the transgenic tobacco with combinatorial RNAi of BtTPS1 and BtTPS2 showed a better efficacy against whiteflies than individual silencing. Conclusion: Our results suggest that silencing of the BtTPS genes can compromise the growth and development of whiteflies, offering not only a new option for whitefly control but also a secure and environmentally friendly management strategy. Abstract : Trehalose‐6‐phosphate synthases (TPSs) are crucial enzymes for insect energy metabolism and chitin biosynthesis. This study demonstrated that BtTPS genes are effective RNAi targets that offer safe and sustainable strategies to control a global notorious hemipteran pest, Bemisia tabaci . © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.