Total RNA was extracted from whole M. persicae (15 aphids were pooled per sample) that had fed on TuYV-infected WW or WD plants for 24 h. Aphids were then transferred to healthy plants for 2 days to clear the gut content from non-internalized virus particles. Aphids were stored at -80 °C before RNA extraction. Aphids were first ground with a pestle in the RLT lysis buffer in Eppendorf tubes (Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany) and RNA was extracted using the RNeasy Mini Kit (QIAGEN) following the procedure for animal tissue. Finally, RNA was eluted in 35 μl of RNase-free water prior to an additional DNAse treatment using RQ1 RNase-free DNase (Promega).
Quality and quantity of nucleic acid extraction was assessed by spectroscopic measurements at 230, 260 and 280 nm (NanoDrop 2000; Thermo Fisher Scientific), and by agarose gel electrophoresis. RNA extracts were stored at -80 °C before used.