Pest Management Science (2019) 75, 180-186

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Jun Hu and Yuxian Xia (2019)
Increased virulence in the locust-specific fungal pathogen Metarhizium acridum expressing dsRNAs targeting the host F₁F₀-ATPase subunit genes
Pest Management Science 75 (1), 180-186
Abstract:
BACKGROUND
Metarhizium acridum is a host-specific fungal pathogen with great potential for locust control. However, the slow killing action of M. acridum has impeded its widespread application. To enhance fungal virulence, we constructed transgenic M. acridum strains that express double-stranded (ds)RNAs targeting the genes of the F₁F₀-ATP synthase α and β subunits in Locusta migratoria.
RESULTS
The two host genes were transcriptionally suppressed in L. migratoria nymphs (instar V) infected by RNA interference (RNAi) strains targeting one or two subunit genes of the host ATP synthase, followed by reduced ATPase activity and ATP synthesis. Consequently, the RNAi strain targeting both subunit genes displayed high virulence that was 3.7-fold that in the wild-type strain.
CONCLUSION
Our results demonstrate that dsRNA expression in M. acridum can cause host RNA silencing during infection and greatly enhances the fungal virulence through interference with critical host genes, highlighting a new strategy for augmentation of fungal virulence against insect pests.
(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): Yuxian Xia

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

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Locusta migratoria
Metarhizium acridum (entomopathogen)