Double stranded RNA was synthesized using the synthesis kit
RiboMAX™ Large Scale RNA Production System-T7 (Promega, Beijing). The template of dsRNA synthesis was amplified by PCR using the
PMD18-T plasmid (Takara, Dalian) inserted with a DNA fragment of the gene of interest, and then the PCR fragment was purified with a
DNA purification kit (Omega bio-tek, USA). dsRNA synthesis was carried out as described in the Promega technical bulletin TB166 and in our previous paper 52 (
link), 53 . Primers used for dsRNA synthesis, including primers for the control gene Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP), are listed in Table
1.
dsRNA was injected into the thorax of CO
2-anesthesized 4
th and 5
th instar nymphs using a Nikon microscope and Narishige injection system (
MN-151, Narishige) as previously described 54 (
link). 0.1 μg dsRNA was injected for each insect. The concentration and volume of the dsRNA injections were chosen based on previous studies 53 , 54 (
link). Nymphs were reared on rice seedlings after injection and cultured under conditions described above. The percentage of individuals developing with long and short wings was then compared between treatment and control populations using Chi Square tests in SPSS 20.0.
Lin X., Yao Y., Wang B., Emlen D.J, & Lavine L.C. (2016). Ecological Trade-offs between Migration and Reproduction Are Mediated by the Nutrition-Sensitive Insulin-Signaling Pathway. International Journal of Biological Sciences, 12(5), 607-616.