Identification of genes involved in juvenile hormone signaling through RNA interference screening in Drosophila cells

Juvenile hormones (JH) control growth, metamorphosis and reproduction in all insects. The molecular mode of action of JH has yet to be fully elucidated. While several genes important for a JH response have been determined, a definitive pathway has yet to be described. A JH-specific luciferase reporter plasmid was constructed to monitor the JH response in Drosophila cells. RNA interference screening was performed to identify genes necessary to the JH signaling pathway. The functions and interactions of the genes identified were determined in silico.