RNA INTERFERENCE OF TWO ACETYLCHOLINESTERASE GENES IN P lutella xylostella REVEALS THEIR DIFFERENT FUNCTIONS

• Published in: Archives of insect biochemistry and physiology Vol. 79; no. 2; pp. 75 - 86
• Main Authors: He, Guiling, Sun, Yang, Li, Fei
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.02.2012
• ISSN: 0739-4462; 1520-6327
• DOI: 10.1002/arch.21007

Acetylcholinesterase ( AC hE, EC 3.1.1.7) is an important enzyme with a typical function of degrading the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Although two ace genes were reported in P lutella xylostella, their function differences remain largely unknown. The chemically synthesized si RNA s (si‐ P xace1 and si‐ P xace2) were injected into the second instar larvae to knock down P xace1 and P xace2, either respectively or simultaneously. The m RNA abundance of P xace1 and P xace2 was significantly reduced to 7–33.5% of the control levels at 72 h after si RNA injection. The AC h E activities were significantly decreased at 96 h after treatment. Silencing of P xace1 or P xace2 resulted in mortality of 33.9 and 22.9%, respectively. The survivors in si RNA ‐treated groups had apparent growth inhibition such as reduction in larvae weights and lengths, malformation and motor retardation. Knockdown of P xace1 apparently affected more on larvae growth than that of P xace2, suggesting that P xace1 had more important roles than P xace2. Both P xace1 and P xace2 genes might have atypical functions in regulating larvae growth and motor ability.