RNAi analysis on the role of BmVg in <i>N</i>. <i>bombycis</i> TOT.

(A, B) RT-qPCR and western blot verification of the BmVg expression in silkworm fat body after RNAi. (C, D) RT-qPCR and western blot verification of the BmVgR expression in silkworm ovarioles after RNAi. (E, F) The pathogen load significantly reduced in ovarioles and eggs after RNAi of BmVg and BmVgR, respectively. (G) The infection rate significantly decreased in ovarioles, FCs, NCs and oocytes after knocking-down BmVG expression. The number of infected and total follicles were counted to calculate the infection rate of follicle. The infection rate of FC, NC and oocyte was represented by the number of follicles with an infection of FC, NC and oocyte to the total number of follicles, respectively. Bars represent the means ± SD from three independent experiments. *, p p < 0.01; ns, not significant (independent-sample t test).