RNAi-induced knockdown of white gene in the southern green stink bug (Nezara viridula L.)

Authors: SOUZA, DARIANE - University Of Florida; CHRISTENSEN, SHAWN - Former ARS Employee; WU, KE - University Of Florida; LYLE, BUSS - University Of Florida; KLECKNER, KAYLIN - University Of Florida; DARRISAW, CONSTANCE - University Of Florida; SHIRK, PAUL - Retired ARS Employee; SIEGFRIED, BLAIR - University Of Florida

Submitted to: Scientific Reports
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/9/2022
Publication Date: 6/21/2022
Citation: Souza, D., Christensen, S., Wu, K., Lyle, B., Kleckner, K., Darrisaw, C., Shirk, P., Siegfried, B. 2022. RNAi-induced knockdown of white gene in the southern green stink bug (Nezara viridula L.). Scientific Reports. 12, 10396. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-14620-0.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-14620-0

Interpretive Summary: The southern green stink bug (SGSB) is one of the most common stink bug species in the United States and can cause significant yield loss in a variety of crops. To investigate alternative paths for control of the SGSB, ARS scientists at the Center for Medical, Agricultural, and Veterinary Entomology in Gainesville, FL, in collaboration with researchers at the University of Florida investigated a suitable marker for the assessment of gene-editing tools in SGSB. To this end, the team of scientists used the gene termed the white gene, first characterized from the common pest fly Drosophila, to help them determine what chromosomes effect heredity in SGSB. For many species the white gene controls the pigmentation process, and alterations of the white gene display certain characteristics the scientists can use to identify it in SGSB. For this study, the scientists used the RNAi technique to investigate functions and characteristics associated with the white gene analog in SGSB and went on to validate the white gene as a marker for genetic transformation in this species. Their results demonstrated that the white gene analog in SGSB is involved in the pathway for biological pigment synthesis, thus providing further knowledge toward a genetic solution for controlling this agriculturally important insect pest.

Technical Abstract: The southern green stink bug (SGSB) Nezara viridula L. is one of the most common stink bug species in the United States and can cause significant yield loss in a variety of crops. A suitable marker for the assessment of gene-editing tools in SGSB has yet to be characterized. The white gene, first documented in Drosophila, has been a useful target to assess the efficiency of introduced mutations in many species as it controls pigmentation processes and mutants display readily identifiable phenotypes. In this study we used the RNAi technique to investigate functions and phenotypes associated with the white ortholog in the SGSB and to validate white as a marker for genetic transformation in this species. This study revealed that white may be a suitable marker for germline transformation in the SGSB as white transcript knockdown was not lethal, did not impair embryo development and provided a distinguishable phenotype. Our results demonstrated that the white ortholog in SGSB is involved in the pathway for ommochrome synthesis and suggested additional functions of this gene such as in the integument composition, management of hemolymph compounds and riboflavin mobilization.