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Updated: May 8, 2026

Construction of Homozygous Mutants of Migratory Locust Using CRISPR/Cas9 Technology
Published on: March 16, 2022
MicroRNA-dependent development revealed by RNA interference-mediated gene silencing of LmDicer1 in the migratory
Yan-Li Wang1, Mei-Ling Yang, Feng Jiang
1Research Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
Abstract:
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs, which participate in many biological processes. The small RNA transcriptome in the migratory locust has been characterized and 50 conserved miRNA families and 185 potential locust-specific miRNA family candidates have been identified using high-throughput sequencing. However, it is unclear whether miRNAs influence a wide variety of locusts' biological processes, such as growth or development. In insects, Dicer1 ribonuclease transforms miRNA precursors into mature miRNAs. Thus, using systemic RNA interference (RNAi) to silence the expression of Dicer1 in the migratory locust, Locusta migratoria, we reduced miRNA contents in the locust and disrupted two types of molt (nymph-nymph, and nymph-adult). The RNAi of LmDicer1 also resulted in a high mortality in L. migratora. Our study revealed that LmDicer1 was essential for miRNA regulation and development of L. migratoria. These results further support our notion that LmDicer1 could serve as an excellent target for developing novel strategies for controlling this important insect pest.
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