# RNAi of vATPasea Affects Survival and Larval-Pupal Development in Plutella xylostella

## TL;DR

This study shows that silencing a specific gene in diamondback moths using RNAi reduces their survival and development, suggesting a new pest control method.

## Contribution

The study identifies PxvATPasea as a potential RNAi target gene in Plutella xylostella with dose-dependent effects.

## Key findings

- Injecting dsPxvATPasea reduced mRNA levels and caused larval mortality in a dose-dependent manner.
- PxvATPasea silencing significantly decreased larval fresh weight and pupation rates.
- The gene is abundantly expressed in hindgut and Malpighian tubules of the diamondback moth.

## Abstract

Relatively little attention has been given to genes encoding V0 subcomplex subunits. In the study, we identified PxvATPasea specifically and evaluated expression profiles of PxvATPasea across developmental stages and among tissues. By injecting two doses of dsPxvATPasea (800 ng or 1200 ng) in Plutella xylostella, we showed that PxvATPasea is a potential molecular target gene and RNAi efficiencies worked in a dose-dependent way.

The diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella, is a major pest of brassica vegetables and oilseed crops, posing a serious threat to China’s grain and oil production. RNA interference (RNAi) has been developed as an efficient strategy to control pests. In this study, the effects of RNAi on P. xylostella were evaluated by injecting two doses of synthesized dsPxvATPasea. The transcripts of PxvATPasea were widely transcribed during different developmental stages from egg to adult. They were abundantly expressed in the hindgut and Malpighian tubules, compared with other tissue types. Introduction of 800 ng dsPxvATPasea in the fourth-instar larvae greatly reduced corresponding mRNA levels by 3.1 and 1.4 times on day 2 and 3, respectively, causing 66.6% mortality and 33.4% treated larvae pupated. Silencing PxvATPasea by injecting 1200 ng dsRNA significantly decreased the expression level by 5.0 and 2.0 times on the second and third day, leading to 79.2% larval lethality and 20.8% depleted larvae pupated. Moreover, introducing 800 ng or 1200 ng dsPxvATPasea finally reduced larval fresh weight by 22.1% and 28.8%, respectively. The results indicated that the silencing efficiency of PxvATPasea worked in a dose-dependent way. Consequently, PxvATPasea is a potential molecular target gene. Our findings will facilitate the application of RNAi technology to manage P. xylostella.