RNA Interference by Cyanobacterial Feeding Demonstrates the <i>SCSG1</i> Gene Is Essential for Ciliogenesis during Oral Apparatus Regeneration in <i>Stentor</i>

• Main Authors: Wei Wei, Chuanqi Jiang, Xiaocui Chai, Juyuan Zhang, Cheng-Cai Zhang, Wei Miao, Jie Xiong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-01-01
• Series: Microorganisms
• Subjects: ciliate; novel RNAi method; <i>Synechocystis</i> sp. PCC6803; oral apparatus regeneration
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/9/1/176

In the giant ciliate <i>Stentor coeruleus</i>, oral apparatus (OA) regeneration is an experimentally tractable regeneration paradigm that occurs via a series of morphological steps. OA regeneration is thought to be driven by a complex regulatory system that orchestrates the temporal expression of conserved and specific genes. We previously identified a <i>S. coeruleus</i>-specific gene (named <i>SCSG1</i>) that was significantly upregulated during the ciliogenesis stages of OA regeneration, with an expression peak at the stage of the first OA cilia appearance. We established a novel RNA interference (RNAi) method through cyanobacteria <i>Synechocystis</i> sp. PCC6803 feeding in <i>S. coeruleus</i>. The expression of <i>SCSG1</i> gene was significantly knocked down by using this method and induced abnormal ciliogenesis of OA regeneration in <i>S. coeruleus</i>, suggesting that <i>SCSG1</i> is essential for OA regeneration in <i>S. coeruleus</i>. This novel RNAi method by cyanobacterial feeding has potential utility for studying other ciliates.