Synergistic action of the gut microbiota in environmental RNA interference in a leaf beetle

• DOI: 10.1186/s40168-021-01066-1
• Publication Date: 2021-05-04T19:51:42Z
• Authors: Letian Xu; Shijing Xu; Liuwei Sun; Yiqiu Zhang; Jing Luo; Ralph Bock; Jiang Zhang
• Keywords: RNA Silencing; Axenic; Dysbiosis

Abstract Background RNA interference (RNAi) has emerged as an efficient tool to control insect pests. When insects ingest double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) targeted against essential genes, strong gene silencing and mortality can be induced. To exert their function, dsRNA molecules must pass through the insect’s gut enter epithelial cells and/or hemolymph. Gut bacteria are known play multifarious roles in food digestion nutrition, confer protection pathogens parasites. Whether there is a cross talk between ingested dsRNAs whether microbiome affects RNAi efficiency unknown. Results Here, using leaf beetle microbiota system, we investigated interact with how responses insects. We first showed that Plagiodera versicolora (Coleoptera) highly susceptible RNAi. then demonstrated ingestion of by non-axenic P. larvae results (i) significantly accelerated compared axenic larvae, (ii) overgrowth dysbiosis microbiota. The latter may caused bacterial utilization degradation products. Furthermore, found Pseudomonas putida , bacterium acts major accelerator death transitioning from commensal pathogenic lifestyle. Conclusions present study illuminates complex interplay lethal dsRNA, host, its community, products host preferentially promoted growth entomopathogenic bacterium, which lethality insect. Our findings reveal synergistic role dsRNA-induced pest insects, provide new insights mechanisms RNAi-based control.