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BACKGROUND: The migratory locust is one of the most destructive agricultural pests worldwide. ATP synthase (F0F1-ATPase) uses proton or sodium motive force to produce 90% of the cellular ATP, and the alpha ubunit of F-1-ATP synthase (ATP5A) is vital for F-1-ATP synthase. Here, we tested whether ATP5A could be a potential target for RNAi-mediated pest management of L. migratoria.

RESULTS: Lm-ATP5A was cloned and characterised. Lm-ATP5A is expressed in all tissues. Injection of 100 ng of the double-stranded RNA of ATP5A (dsATP5A) knocked down the transcription of the target gene and caused mortality in 1.5-5 days. The Lm-ATP5A protein level, the oligomycin-sensitive ATP synthetic and hydrolytic activities and the ATP content were correspondingly reduced following dsATP5A injection.

CONCLUSION: These findings demonstrated the essential roles of Lm-ATP5A in L. migratoria and identified it as a potential target for insect pest control. (C) 2015 Society of Chemical Industry