RNA interference of PHB1 enhances virulence of Vip3Aa to Sf9 cells and Spodoptera frugiperda larvae.

We found that PHB1 was not a receptor for Vip3Aa but played an essential role in mitochondria. The downregulation of phb1 expression in Sf9 cells caused instability of mitochondria, and the cells were more prone to apoptosis when challenged with Vip3Aa. The combined use of Vip3Aa and phb1 RNAi showed a synergistic effect against S. frugiperda larvae. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.