Evaluation of target gene expression for gene silencing strategy via RNA interference in Brevipalpus yothersi (Acari: Tenuipalpidae)

• Grant number: 25/07227-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: July 01, 2025
• End date: December 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy - Plant Health
• Principal Investigator: Valdenice Moreira Novelli
• Grantee: Douglas Sant Anna Corrêa
• Host Institution: Instituto Agronômico (IAC). Agência Paulista de Tecnologia dos Agronegócios (APTA). Secretaria de Agricultura e Abastecimento (São Paulo - Estado). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Brevipalpus mites are important vectors in some crops, such as citrus, coffee, passion fruit, and ornamentals, and are associated with viruses from different families - Kitaviridae and Rhabdoviridae. In orange orchards (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck), these mites are vectors of Cilevirus leprosis (Cilevirus: Kitaviridae), the pathogen of the main viral disease of citrus - leprosis, with B. yothersi being the predominant species in commercial citrus farming. The symptoms of the disease are characterized by chlorotic and/or necrotic lesions on branches, leaves, and fruits, present in the places where the infected mite has fed, and in extreme cases, it can wither the entire orchard and lead to the death of the plants. Chemical control is expensive, but it is still the main tactic to reducing the population density of B. yothersi. However, episodes of inefficiency and an increase in resistant populations have been reported. Thus, in times of greater concern regarding the risks of contamination of humans and the environment, there is a strong demand for more selective, efficient and safe products. Knowledge about the genome of pests, together with new molecular technologies, are paths that can result in the development of innovative strategies for controlling phytopathogens. The RNA interference (RNAi) technique, via delivery of dsRNA molecules, is an example of such technologies. In a study conducted at the "Sylvio Moreira" Citrus Center-IAC (CCSM-IAC), based on the genome of B. yothersi, promising results have been obtained in the prospecting of target genes and validation of this technique. Therefore, this proposal aims to evaluate the expression level of B. yothersi target genes, after the delivery of dsRNA molecules. It is expected to corroborate the possible silencing effect, previously observed in biological experiments. Functional information and effects on the virus-mite interaction may contribute to the future implementation of alternatives for controlling citrus leprosis. (AU)