RNAi-based experiments were done using Gal4/UAS system to explore the role of the biogenic amines: octopamine, dopamine and tyramine in the development, sex ratio, fecundity and hatchability of Drosophila melanogaster. The results showed that octopamine, dopamine, and tyramine induced less flies survival to adulthood which were normal in external morphology, except that RNAi-octβ2R adults had enlarged proboscis. Significant increase in number of the laid eggs was recorded when dopamine receptor genes were silenced, while the lowest value was recorded in RNAi-OARII, -OAMB and -TyrR lines. Silencing DopR, DopR2, and OAMB genes resulted in a significant decrease in the percentage of hatchability and an increase in the duration of the life cycle. The results suggested that biogenic amines octopamine, dopamine, and tyramine are greatly involved in the development, fecundity and hatchability of insects which open the door for new research dealing with insecticidal design.
Key words: RNAi, octopamine, dopamine, tyramine, Drosophila, fecundity, hatchability, duration of life cycle
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