Applications of RNA Interference in American Cockroach

J Vis Exp. 2021 Dec 17:(178). doi: 10.3791/63380.

Abstract

Cockroaches, a sanitary pest, are essential species in insect developmental and metamorphic studies due to their easy feeding and hemimetabolous characteristics. Altogether with well-annotated genome sequences, these advantages have made American cockroach, Periplaneta americana, an important hemimetabolous insect model. Limited by the shortage of knockout strategy, effective RNA interference (RNAi)-based gene knockdown becomes an indispensable technique in functional gene research of P. americana. The present protocol describes the RNAi operation techniques in P. americana. The protocol includes (1) selection of the P. americana at proper developmental stages, (2) preparation for the injection setting, (3) dsRNA injection, and (4) gene knockdown efficiency detection. RNAi is a powerful reverse genetic tool in P. americana. The majority of P. americana tissues are sensitive to extracellular dsRNA. Its simplicity allows researchers to quickly obtain dysfunctional phenotypes under one or multiple targeting dsRNA injections, enabling researchers to better use the P. americana for developmental and metamorphic studies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Video-Audio Media

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cockroaches* / genetics
  • Insecta / genetics
  • Periplaneta* / genetics
  • RNA Interference
  • RNA, Double-Stranded / genetics

Substances

  • RNA, Double-Stranded