RNAi‐mediated knockdown of juvenile hormone esterase causes mortality and malformation in Tribolium castaneum

Abstract

RNA interference is an efficient approach for gene function identification and a potential novel strategy for selectively controlling pests. The red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), is a major global storage pest, which causes great economic loss. Juvenile hormone esterase (JHE), a carboxylesterase, is responsible for the degradation of juvenile hormone. However, the knockdown effect of jhe on metamorphosis of pupae or adult in T. castaneum is unknown. In this study, we analyzed the expression profiles of Tcjhe in the larval stage, we found that Tcjhe was expressed throughout the whole larval instars and the expression levels were relatively high right after molting. Furthermore, we knocked down the expression of Tcjhe by injecting dsTcjhe, which significantly increased the mortality of adults and decreased the eclosion rate. In addition, abnormal developmental phenotypes, including wing deformitity, pupal–adult monsters and shrunken adults, were observed. Our finding indicates that JHE plays an important role in the metamorphosis and development in T. castaneum, suggesting that Tcjhe could be used as a potential target for the development of RNAi‐based control strategies in T. castaneum.

Identification and Functions of JHE 6 Specifically Expressed in Bombyx mori Silk Gland

“…The promotion or inhibition of JHE activity during targeted stages can affect JH levels and lead to abnormal development and growth. Xu et al employed RNAi to decrease JHE expression in adult red flour beetles (Tribolium castaneum), resulting in adult atrophy and a reduced plumage rate [6]. The inhibition of JHE activity by trifluoroacetone sulfide can reduce the degradation rate of JH and delay metamorphosis in tobacco hornworm (Manduca sexta) [7].…”