RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Silencing of ATP synthase β reduces phytoplasma multiplication in the leafhopper vector Euscelidius variegatus JF bioRxiv FD Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory SP 2020.10.02.324350 DO 10.1101/2020.10.02.324350 A1 Luciana Galetto A1 Simona Abbà A1 Marika Rossi A1 Matteo Ripamonti A1 Sabrina Palmano A1 Domenico Bosco A1 Cristina Marzachì YR 2020 UL http://biorxiv.org/content/early/2020/10/02/2020.10.02.324350.abstract AB The leafhopper Euscelidius variegatus is a natural vector of the chrysanthemum yellows phytoplasma (CYp) and a laboratory vector of the Flavescence dorée phytoplasma (FDp). Previous studies indicated a crucial role for insect ATP synthase α and β subunits during phytoplasma infection of the vector species. Gene silencing of ATP synthase β was obtained by injection of specific dsRNAs in E. variegatus. Here we present the systemic and long-lasting nature of such silencing, its effects on the small RNA profile, the significant reduction of the corresponding protein expression, and the impact on phytoplasma acquisition capability. The specific transcript expression was silenced at least up to 37 days post injection with an average reduction of 100 times in insects injected with dsRNAs targeting ATP synthase β (dsATP) compared with those injected with dsRNAs targeting green fluorescent protein (dsGFP), used as negative controls. Insects injected either with dsATP or dsGFP successfully acquired CYp and FDp during feeding on infected plants. However, the average phytoplasma amount in dsATP insects was significantly lower than that measured in dsGFP specimens, indicating a probable reduction of the pathogen multiplication rate when ATP synthase β was silenced. The role of the insect ATP synthase β during phytoplasma infection process is discussed.Competing Interest StatementThe authors have declared no competing interest.