Figure 4

RNAi of cognate glutathione peroxidase transcripts in P. superbus reduces desiccation tolerance. Feeding of P. superbus with bacteria expressing dsRNA corresponding to A. avenae glutathione peroxidase sequence, GR463914, and P. superbus glutathione peroxidase sequences, GR881191 and GR881192, followed by assessment of desiccation tolerance. A bacterial feeder strain expressing dsRNA corresponding to GFP was used as a negative control. Mixed stage worms were subjected to desiccation at 10% RH for 24 h (negative control - black bar; other samples - grey bars). All samples were also subjected to mock desiccation at 100% RH (white bars). Mean values of triplicates, together with standard deviations, are shown; a one-way ANOVA with Tukey post-hoc test was performed: *, significance at P < 0.05; **, significance at P < 0.01; ***, significance at P < 0.001; ns, not significant.