RNAi-mediated silencing of a novel Ascaris suum gene expression in infective larvae.

Abstract

In the present study, the potential of RNA interference (RNAi) as a gene silencing tool and the resultant effects on Ascaris suum larval development was examined by targeting a gene (represented by the EST 06G09) specifically expressed in the infective larvae of A. suum. BALB/c mice were infected with RNAi-treated larvae. The results showed that the target gene was silenced after soaking for 72 h, and the survival rate of the RNAi-treated larvae was reduced by 17.25% (P<0.01). A significant difference (P<0.05) was detected in the numbers of larvae collected from the livers and lungs of infected mice 4 days after infection with untreated larvae (164.29 &#xb1; 21.51) and RNAi-treated larvae (71.43 &#xb1; 14.35). Significant differences (P<0.01) were also found in the body length and width between untreated larvae (480 &#xb1; 105.77 &#x3bc;m for length and 23.93 &#xb1; 3.72 &#x3bc;m for width) and RNAi-treated larvae (400.57 &#xb1; 71.31 &#x3bc;m for length and 20.20 &#xb1; 2.43 &#x3bc;m for width). These results show that the gene represented by EST 06G09 may play a role in the development of A. suum larvae.