@article {Fabioux_etal2009, title = {{In vivo RNA interference in oyster : vasa silencing inhibits germ cell development}}, journal = {FEBS Journal}, volume = {276}, number = {9}, year = {2009}, pages = {2566{\textendash}2573}, publisher = {Blackwell Publishing}, abstract = {This study investigated the potential of RNA interference, which is technically challenging in bivalve mollusc species, to assess gene function in the oyster Crassostrea\{\^A}\}\~{}gigas. We designed dsRNA targeting the oyster vasa-like gene (Oyvlg), specifically expressed in oyster germ cells. In\{\^A}\}\~{}vivo injection of oyvl-dsRNA into the gonad provokes a knockdown phenotype corresponding to germ cell underproliferation and prematurely arrested meiosis througout the organ. The most severe phenotype observed is sterile. This knockdown phenotype is associated with a decrease in Oyvlg mRNA level of between 39\% and 87\%, and a strong reduction in OYVLG protein, to an undetectable level. Therefore, Oyvlg appears to be essential for germ cell development in Crassostrea\{\^A}\}\~{}gigas, particularly for mitotic proliferation and early meiosis. Our results demonstrate for the first time that in\{\^A}\}\~{}vivo RNA interference works efficiently in a bivalve species, opening major perspectives for functional genetic studies.}, issn = {1742-4658}, doi = {equipe1}, author = {C Fabioux and Corporeau, C and Virgile Quillien and Pascal Favrel and Huvet, A} }