Gene silencing by RNA interference in the ectoparasitic mite, Psoroptes ovis

AbstractThe presence of components of the RNA interference (RNAi) pathway inPsoroptes ovis, an ectoparasitic mite responsible for psoroptic mange, was investigated through interrogation of theP. ovis genome. Homologues of transcripts representing critical elements for achieving effective RNAi in the mite,Tetranychus urticae and the model organismsCaenorhabditis elegans andDrosophila melanogaster were identified and, following the development of a non-invasive immersion method of double stranded RNA delivery, gene silencing by RNAi was successfully demonstrated inP. ovis. Significant reductions in transcript levels were achieved for three target genes which encode the Group 2 allergen (Pso o 2), mu-class glutathioneS-transferase (PoGST-mu1) and beta-tubulin (Poβtub). This is the first demonstration of RNAi inP. ovis and provides a mechanism for mining transcriptomic and genomic datasets for novel control targets against this economically important ectoparasite.
Source: Veterinary Research - Category: Veterinary Research Source Type: research