Developing an in vivo toxicity assay for RNAi risk assessment in honey bees, Apis mellifera L.

摘要: Maize plants expressing dsRNA for the management of Diabrotica virgifera are likely to be commercially available by end this decade. Honey bees, Apis mellifera, can potentially exposed pollen from transformed maize dsRNA. Consequently, evaluation biological impacts RNAi in honey bees is a fundamental component ecological risk assessment. The insecticidal activity known lethal target D. v. virgifera, vATPase subunit A, was evaluated larval and adult bees. Activity both (Dvv)- A. mellifera (Am)-specific tested dietary exposure Larval development, survival, eclosion, life span relative gene expression were evaluated. results these tests indicated that Dvv vATPase-A has limited effects on bee survival. Importantly, no observed upon Am suggesting lack response involves factors other than sequence specificity. study provide guidance future analyses development assessment framework incorporates similar hazard assessments.