Journal of Pest Science (2022) 95, 87-100

Chao Ye, Zheng-Wu Wang, Yuan-Lan Sheng, Zi-Guo Wang, Guy Smagghe, Olivier Christiaens, Jinzhi Niu and Jin-Jun Wang (2022)
GNBP1 as a potential RNAi target to enhance the virulence of Beauveria bassiana for aphid control
Journal of Pest Science 95 (1), 87-100
Abstract: Gram-negative binding proteins (GNBPs) are important in the innate immune system of insects in recognition of fungi pathogen, such as Beauveria bassiana. However, this information in aphids is not clear, which might be exploited to develop a novel aphid control strategy based on integrating RNAi and B. bassiana. Here, we firstly identified two GNBPs, ApGNBP1 and ApGNBP2, using the model aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum, and observed that two ApGNBPs were highly expressed in hemolymph and fat body as well as upon the injection of β-1,3-glucan and heat-killed B. bassiana. Intriguingly, RNAi-based silencing of ApGNBP1 but not ApGNBP2 decreased the activity of immune-related phenoloxidase. This led to the increased virulence of B. bassiana in A. pisum upon silencing of ApGNBP1, and the synergetic effects were also observed in other two aphids: Myzus persicae and Aphis citricidus. Importantly, no negative effects were detected in aphid predator Propylaea japonica under the co-application of the RNAi in targeting ApGNBP1 and B. bassiana. Taking together, we conclude that GNBP1 could be an optimal target in aphid control by combining RNAi, entomopathogenic fungi and ladybeetle predator.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Guy Smagghe, Jin-Jun Wang

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
genetical engin./transgenic plants
resistance/tolerance/defence of host

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Acyrthosiphon pisum
Beauveria bassiana (entomopathogen)	Acyrthosiphon pisum