Development of RNAi in Insects and RNAi-Based Pest Control

Guang, Yang; You, Minsheng; Vasseur, Liette; Zhao, Yi-Ying; Liu, Chunhui

doi:10.5772/17260

Cited by 16 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 56 publications

(61 reference statements)

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“…The knockdown of important insect genes by dsRNAs or small interfering RNAs represents a powerful pest control strategy (Baum et al ., ; Mao et al ., ). Other methods of pest control include the expression of pest‐resistant proteins or substances such as Bacillus thuringiensis toxins (de Maagd et al ., ), trypsin inhibitors (Hilder et al ., ) or snowdrop lectin (Rao et al ., ) in plants; however, the use of RNAi may be superior to these other methods, as the relevant molecules can be continuously expressed in a stable manner (Yang et al ., ), are highly specific and have a high level of biological safety (Tian & Chen, ). The key first step in developing an efficient RNAi‐mediated pest control technique is to find suitable essential target genes involved in insect growth or development (Wang et al ., ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

ER type I signal peptidase subunit (LmSPC1) is essential for the survival of Locusta migratoria manilensis and affects moulting, feeding, reproduction and embryonic development

Zhang

Xia

2014

Insect Molecular Biology

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The endoplasmic reticulum type I signal peptidase complex (ER SPC) is a conserved enzyme that cleaves the signal peptides of secretory or membrane preproteins. The deletion of this enzyme leads to the accumulation of uncleaved proteins in biomembranes and cell death. However, the physiological functions of ER SPC in insects are not fully understood. Here, a catalytic subunit gene of ER SPC, LmSPC1, was cloned from Locusta migratoria manilensis and its physiological functions were analysed by RNA interference (RNAi). The LmSPC1 open reading frame encoded a protein of 178 amino acids with all five conserved regions of signal peptidases. RNAi-mediated knockdown of LmSPC1 resulted in high mortality. Sixty-nine per cent of dead nymphs died of abnormal moulting, corresponding to decreased activity of moulting fluid protease. Moreover, insects in the RNAi group experienced a decline in food intake, and a decrease in the secretion of total protein and digestive enzymes from midgut tissues to the midgut lumen. Furthermore, the females produced fewer eggs and eggs with disrupted embryogenesis. These results indicate that LmSPC1 is required for the secretion of secretory proteins, affects physiological functions, including moulting, feeding, reproduction and embryonic development, and is essential for survival. Therefore, LmSPC1 may be a potential target for locust control.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

ER type I signal peptidase subunit (LmSPC1) is essential for the survival of Locusta migratoria manilensis and affects moulting, feeding, reproduction and embryonic development

Zhang

Xia

2014

Insect Molecular Biology

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“…The transgenic method allows the insects to produce dsRNA stably and continuously, and this feature is inheritable, which will benefit the study of gene function in the whole life time of insects in one and more than one generations. Moreover, this technique has been proposed for pest management, such as by developing transgenic insects carrying dsRNA that can cause males or females to become sterile [81]. Transgenic RNAi has been performed in B. mori [20].…”

Section: Methods To Introduce Exogenous Dsrna Into the Mothsmentioning

confidence: 99%

RNA Interference in Moths: Mechanisms, Applications, and Progress

Wang

Chen

et al. 2016

Genes

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The vast majority of lepidopterans, about 90%, are moths. Some moths, particularly their caterpillars, are major agricultural and forestry pests in many parts of the world. However, some other members of moths, such as the silkworm Bombyx mori, are famous for their economic value. Fire et al. in 1998 initially found that exogenous double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) can silence the homolog endogenous mRNA in organisms, which is called RNA interference (RNAi). Soon after, the RNAi technique proved to be very promising not only in gene function determination but also in pest control. However, later studies demonstrate that performing RNAi in moths is not as straightforward as shown in other insect taxa. Nevertheless, since 2007, especially after 2010, an increasing number of reports have been published that describe successful RNAi experiments in different moth species either on gene function analysis or on pest management exploration. So far, more than 100 peer-reviewed papers have reported successful RNAi experiments in moths, covering 10 families and 25 species. By using classic and novel dsRNA delivery methods, these studies effectively silence the expression of various target genes and determine their function in larval development, reproduction, immunology, resistance against chemicals, and other biological processes. In addition, a number of laboratory and field trials have demonstrated that RNAi is also a potential strategy for moth pest management. In this review, therefore, we summarize and discuss the mechanisms and applications of the RNAi technique in moths by focusing on recent progresses.

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“…RNAi technology is an important tool for gene function studies and has been widely used in insect functional genomics research. In recent years, several reviews have systematically summarized research results and limitations of RNAi technology in the field of entomology (Price & Gatehouse, 2008; Huvenne & Smagghe, 2010; Terenius et al , 2011; Yang et al , 2011). Of particular importance is a review by Terenius et al (2011), who collected detailed data from more than 150 experiments, including all published and many unpublished data.…”

Section: Rnai Target Gene Screening From Insectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Feasibility, limitation and possible solutions of RNAi‐based technology for insect pest control

Zhang¹,

Li²,

Xing³

2012

Insect Science

187

170

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Numerous studies indicate that target gene silencing by RNA interference (RNAi) could lead to insect death. This phenomenon has been considered as a potential strategy for insect pest control, and it is termed RNAi-mediated crop protection. However, there are many limitations using RNAi-based technology for pest control, with the effectiveness target gene selection and reliable double-strand RNA (dsRNA) delivery being two of the major challenges. With respect to target gene selection, at present, the use of homologous genes and genome-scale high-throughput screening are the main strategies adopted by researchers. Once the target gene is identified, dsRNA can be delivered by micro-injection or by feeding as a dietary component. However, micro-injection, which is the most common method, can only be used in laboratory experiments. Expression of dsRNAs directed against insect genes in transgenic plants and spraying dsRNA reagents have been shown to induce RNAi effects on target insects. Hence, RNAi-mediated crop protection has been considered as a potential new-generation technology for pest control, or as a complementary method of existing pest control strategies; however, further development to improve the efficacy of protection and range of species affected is necessary. In this review, we have summarized current research on RNAi-based technology for pest insect management. Current progress has proven that RNAi technology has the potential to be a tool for designing a new generation of insect control measures. To accelerate its practical application in crop protection, further study on dsRNA uptake mechanisms based on the knowledge of insect physiology and biochemistry is needed.

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Development of RNAi in Insects and RNAi-Based Pest Control

Cited by 16 publications

References 56 publications

ER type I signal peptidase subunit (LmSPC1) is essential for the survival of Locusta migratoria manilensis and affects moulting, feeding, reproduction and embryonic development

ER type I signal peptidase subunit (LmSPC1) is essential for the survival of Locusta migratoria manilensis and affects moulting, feeding, reproduction and embryonic development

RNA Interference in Moths: Mechanisms, Applications, and Progress

Feasibility, limitation and possible solutions of RNAi‐based technology for insect pest control

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