Advances in the use of the RNA interference technique in Hemiptera

Abstract

RNA interference (RNAi) suppresses the expression of target genes by post-transcriptional regulation. Because double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) mediated gene silencing is a conserved mechanism in many eukaryotes, RNAi has become a valuable tool for unveiling gene function in many model insects. Recent research has also shown that RNAi can also be effective in the downregulation of target genes in Hemiptera. In this review, we discuss the use of the RNAi technique in gene functional analysis in hemipterans, highlighting the methods of dsRNA uptake by these insects and discuss the knock-down efficiency of these techniques. Although the RNAi technique has disadvantages, our primary goal here is to determine whether it can be exploited further in the discovery of new gene functions, and as a pest control strategy, in some important Hemipteran pests.

RNAi Efficiency, Systemic Properties, and Novel Delivery Methods for Pest Insect Control: What We Know So Far

“…However, the efficiency of RNAi can vary greatly between the different insect orders. In many RNAi recalcitrant insect species, the gene knockdown is around 60% or lower and silencing is often temporary (Huvenne and Smagghe, 2010; Li et al, 2013). In contrast, the gene knockdown in RNAi sensitive coleopterans is often 90% or higher, requires only very small doses and the effect can be long lasting and even hereditary (Baum et al, 2007; Zhu et al, 2011; Bolognesi et al, 2012; Rangasamy and Siegfried, 2012).…”

RNA interference: A powerful tool in entomological research and a novel approach for insect pest management

“…The purposes of this special issue are to bring together reviews and original research papers that address RNAi methodologies in entomological research, molecular and functional aspects of key genes in the RNAi pathway, applications of RNAi to study the functions of important genes, and prospect of using RNAi‐based technology for insect pest management. It composes 11 papers including four reviews (Li et al ., 2013; Paim et al ., 2013; Zhang et al ., 2013a; Yu et al ., 2013) and seven original research articles. Among these research articles, the first four report important genes encoding Dicer1, Dicer2, RNase III and Argonaute in the RNAi pathway (Lee et al ., 2013; Wang et al ., 2013a, 2013b; Zhang et al ., 2013b), and the next three report the use of RNAi to address the functions of different genes involved in insecticide toxicity, peritrophic matrix (PM) biosynthesis and chitin degradation in three representative insect species (Rinkevich & Scott, 2013; Rong et al ., 2013; Toprak et al ., 2013).…”

“…They discuss the advantages and limitations of some commonly used dsRNA delivery techniques, and various factors that may affect the specificity and efficiency of RNAi. Li et al . (2013) review the application of various RNAi techniques in studying gene functions in hemipterans.…”

Small RNA Regulators of Plant-Hemipteran Interactions: Micromanagers with Versatile Roles

“…RNAi-mediated silencing of Hox, wg , and decapentaplegic (dpp) in large milkweed bug ( O. fasciatus ) (Angelini and Kaufman, 2005) and salivary gland gene Coo2 , gut-specific cath-L genes, and calreticulin in pea aphid (Mutti et al, 2006; Jaubert-Possamai et al, 2007) employed microinjection to deliver the dsRNA. Microinjecting brown planthoppers with dsRNA against calreticulin, cathepsin-B , and nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) β2 subunit Nl β 2 resulted in ~50% silencing effect; however, high insect mortality is often reported especially in smaller insects as a result of wounding during microinjection (Liu et al, 2010; Li et al, 2013b). …”