The almond moth is an important pest of date fruits worldwide. The females produce several eggs; however, role of vitellogenin receptor (VgR) in oocyte development by mediating endocytosis of major yolk protein precursor Vg remains yet unexplored. To investigate the role of vitellogenin receptor (VgR) in reproduction, Cadra cautella vitellogenin receptor (CcVgR) transcript was obtained using rapid amplification of cDNA ends‐polymerase chain reaction. Expression analysis of CcVgR was performed using reverse transcriptase and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) in different developmental stages. RNA interference was performed by injecting CcVgR‐based double‐stranded (ds)RNA at different exposure times. The results revealed that CcVgR is 5421 bp long, encoded 1807 amino acid, belongs to low‐density lipoprotein receptor superfamily and contains all conserved domains. Expression analysis confirmed that CcVgR is sex‐specific and starts to express in female larvae on day 19. Additionally, RNA interference (RNAi) of CcVgR‐based dsRNA inhibited CcVgR expression up to 83% after 72 h, reduced fecundity and hatchability, and confirmed involvement of CcVgR in C. cautella reproduction. This report provides a basis for gene silencing in this species, and proposes RNAi technology potential for pest management.

中文翻译：

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杏仁蛾Cadra cautella中卵黄蛋白原受体基因的分子表征，表达模式和RNAi介导的沉默。

杏仁蛾是世界范围内重要的枣类害虫。雌性产几个卵。然而，卵黄蛋白原受体（VgR）通过介导主要蛋黄蛋白前体Vg的胞吞作用在卵母细胞发育中的作用仍未探索。为了研究卵黄蛋白原受体（的作用VGR）的再现时，CADRA cautella卵黄蛋白原受体（CcVgR使用cDNA末端-聚合酶链反应快速扩增法获得的）转录物。使用逆转录酶和定量聚合酶链反应（qPCR）在不同的发育阶段进行CcVgR的表达分析。通过注射CcVgR‐ RNA进行RNA干扰基于双链（ds）RNA在不同的暴露时间。结果表明，CcVgR长5421 bp，编码1807个氨基酸，属于低密度脂蛋白受体超家族，包含所有保守结构域。表达分析证实CcVgR具有性别特异性，并在第19天开始在雌性幼虫中表达。此外，基于CcVgR的dsRNA的RNA干扰（RNAi）在72小时后抑制CcVgR的表达高达83％，降低了繁殖力和孵化率，并证实参与CcVgR在C. cautella再现。该报告为该物种的基因沉默提供了基础，并提出了RNAi技术在有害生物管理方面的潜力。