J RNAi Gene Silencing (2010), 6(1), 361-366 doi: jrgsxx Published online: 15 April 2010 Full Text: (html | pdf ~261kb | refs) RNAi effects on actin mRNAs in Homalodisca vitripennis cells Cristina Rosa †, Shizuo G Kamita ‡, Haley Dequine †, Ha Wuriyanghan †, John A Lindbo ¥, Bryce W Falk †* † Department of Plant Pathology UC Davis, One Shields Ave, 95616 Davis CA, USA ‡ Department of Entomology UC Davis, Davis CA, USA ¥ Campbell’s Soup Company, Davis CA, USA *Correspondence to: Bryce Falk, Email: bwfalk@ucdavis.edu, Tel: +530 752 0302, Fax: +530 752 5674 Received: 10 February 2010, Revised: 12 March 2010, Accepted: 22 March 2010 © Copyright The Authors ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ABSTRACT The xylem feeding leafhopper Homalodisaca vitripennis(H. vitripennis) is an unusually robust and efficient vector of Xylella fastidiosa, a Gram-negative bacterium which causes several very important plant diseases. Here we investigated RNA interference (RNAi) to target actin, a key component of insect cells and whole bodies, in H. vitripennis cells. RNAi effectors were delivered via lipid based transfection and real-time RT-PCR, RNA hybridization, and microscopic analyses were employed to verify RNAi effects. When actin dsRNAs were used, a 10-fold decrease in the target H. vitripennis actin mRNA level was seen in cells. Altered phenotypic effects also were evident in transfected cells, as were small interfering RNAs, hallmarks of RNAi. The use of H. vitripennis cells and RNAi offers new opportunities to research hemipterans, the most important insect vectors of plant pathogens. KEYWORDS: Homalodisca vitripennis , RNA interference, glassy-winged sharpshooter, Pierce’s disease ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Privacy | Disclaimer |
