RNAi-Mediated Silencing of vATPase Subunit E Impairs Larval Development in Plutella xylostella, and Virtual Screening Identifies a Potential Inhibitor

The diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella) is a devastating global pest of cruciferous crops. This study explores the potential of targeting the vacuolar ATPase subunit E (PxvATPaseE) for its control. We demonstrate that PxvATPaseE is essential for larval development, showing high expression levels in the midgut. RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated silencing of PxvATPaseE resulted in severe growth retardation and dose-dependent mortality, with higher dsRNA doses inducing more sustained effects. Furthermore, computational virtual screening of natural compound libraries identified a high-affinity binder of PxvATPaseE, such as periplocoside D. Our results demonstrate that PxvATPaseE is a promising molecular target for controlling P. xylostella, supporting a dual-strategy approach combining RNAi and targeted chemical inhibition for future pest management solutions.