(1)背景:腹部A(Abd-A)和超胸(Ubx)是决定昆虫胸部和腹部身份和形态的同源基因。亚洲玉米虫,Ostriniafurnacalis(Guenée)(鳞翅目:Pyralidae),是整个亚洲毁灭性的玉米害虫,西太平洋,和澳大利亚。基于以前的知识,我们假设Abd-A和Ubx的敲除会破坏O.furacalis的腹部计划。(2)方法:采用CRISPR/Cas9靶向诱变来破译这些同源异型基因的功能。(3)结果:敲除昆虫表现出经典的同源转换。具体来说,OfAbd-A的诱变导致:(1)幼虫阶段的融合片段和片段扭曲;(2)胚胎致死性;(3)其他同源异型基因的多效上调,包括实验室,Pd,Dfd,Antp,Abd-BOfUbx的诱变导致:(1)机翼垫严重缺陷,限制了成虫飞行和交配的能力;(2)雌性不育;(3)其他同源异型基因的多效性上调,包括国防部,Abd-B,和Wnt1。(4)结论:这些综合结果不仅支持我们的假设,但它们也加强了使用同源异型基因作为基因控制这种全球害虫的分子靶标的潜力。
(1) Background: Abdominal-A (Abd-A) and Ultrabithorax (Ubx) are homeotic genes that determine the identity and morphology of the thorax and abdomen in insects. The Asian corn borer, Ostrinia furnacalis (Guenée) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), is a devastating maize pest throughout Asia, the Western Pacific, and Australia. Building on previous knowledge, we hypothesized that the knockout of Abd-A and Ubx would disrupt the abdominal body planning in O. furnacalis. (2) Methods: CRISPR/Cas9-targeted mutagenesis was employed to decipher the functions of these homeotic genes. (3) Results: Knockout insects demonstrated classical homeotic transformations. Specifically, the mutagenesis of OfAbd-A resulted in: (1) Fused segments and segmental twist during the larval stage; (2) Embryonic lethality; and (3) The pleiotropic upregulation of other homeotic genes, including Lab, Pd, Dfd, Antp, and Abd-B. The mutagenesis of OfUbx led to: (1) Severe defects in the wing pads, which limited the ability of the adults to fly and mate; (2) Female sterility; and (3) The pleiotropic upregulation of other homeotic genes, including Dfd, Abd-B, and Wnt1. (4) Conclusions: These combined results not only support our hypothesis, but they also strengthen the potential of using homeotic genes as molecular targets for the genetic control of this global insect pest.