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Functional Analysis of E93 Reveals Its Potential as a Target for Controlling Leptinotarsa decemlineata and Chilo
Qing-Yu Xu1, Zhi-Ling Zhang1,2, Su-Rui Zheng1,2
1Institute of Plant Protection, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences; Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Food and Safety (State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base of Ministry of Science and Technology), Nanjing 210014, China.
Abstract:
The rice striped stem borer (Chilo suppressalis) and Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata) are notorious pests that have developed widespread resistance to conventional insecticides. RNA interference (RNAi) represents a breakthrough in pest management contingent on identifying effective target genes. This study isolated and characterized transcription factor E93 from both pests. Spatiotemporal expression profiles revealed a similar pattern: low levels in early instars, a progressive increase in later instars, and peak expression in adults, particularly within the ovaries. Functional analysis via CRISPR/Cas9 and RNAi across both species elicited analogous defects: abnormal pupation, aberrant eclosion, and impaired egg development. Furthermore, feeding on potato plants treated with dsLdE93 in pot trials significantly reduced the level of L. decemlineata pupation, emergence, and viable egg production. This study identifies E93, a transcription factor pivotal for development in both C. suppressalis and L. decemlineata, and validates it as a potential novel target for RNAi-mediated pest control.
