Double-stranded RNA binding protein, Staufen, is required for the initiation of RNAi in coleopteran insects

Abstract

SignificanceThe RNA interference (RNAi) discovered in nematodes has contributed to major advances in basic and applied sciences. RNAi-based methods are being developed for controlling pests and disease vectors. RNAi is highly efficient and systemic in coleopteran insects, but not in other insects. The lower efficiency of RNAi in economically important insects and concerns about resistance development are hindering the widespread use of this technology. To address these problems, a RNAi-sensitive Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata, and a cell line derived from this insect were used to identify a dsRNA-binding protein, StaufenC, as a major contributor to RNAi and its resistance. Interestingly, StaufenC homologs are present in only coleopteran insects and are essential for efficient RNAi response and its resistance in these insects.

Feeding Delivery of dsHvSnf7 Is a Promising Method for Management of the Pest Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

“…Previous studies have shown large differences in RNAi efficiency among insect species [5,35,36]. RNAi-mediated silencing effects are efficient and systemic in coleopteran insects [7,8,15], and similarly, we found high levels of RNAi effects in H. vigintioctopunctata, even under the in vitro synthesized dsRNA concentration of 5 ng/µL. Therefore, there is great potential for the control of H. vigintioctopunctata using RNAi.…”

“…RNAi-based products are expected to reach the market in the form of transgenic plants and non-transgenic alternatives, such as the spray application of double-strand RNA (dsRNA) to crops to induce silencing of specific genes [5,6]. In the past decade, a number of studies have been published on the application of RNAi for the control of pests from a wide range of insect orders, including the Coleoptera, Diptera, Hemiptera, Lepidoptera, and Orthoptera [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14]; coleopterans, such as the western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera) [7], the red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum), and Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata) [15] have been shown to be highly susceptible to dsRNAs. Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) is one of the most economically important insect pests in Asia, causing significant damage to vegetables, particularly those in the Solanaceae [16,17].…”

Living with bark beetles: impacts, outlook and management options

“…RNA interference (RNAi) is a rapidly evolving technology for pest control, which, unlike most other pest management methods, is highly species-specific (though its efficiency varies significantly among insects). Interestingly, the method seems to perform reasonably well against beetles (Yoon et al 2018). Hence, the use of RNAi-based insecticides -while not yet operationally available -is a promising prospect for bark beetle management in the future.…”

Prospects, challenges and current status of RNAi through insect feeding

“…130,131 Resistance: Insects can develop resistance to dsRNA by two possible mechanisms: (i) down-regulation or mutations in dsRNA processing machinery and (ii) lower dsRNA uptake in the insect gut. 132,133 Field and laboratory studies performed in western corn rootworms fed on DvSnf7 dsRNA-expressing transgenic plants exhibited resistance to dsRNA. Further analysis indicated that a resistant gene was present on a single locus of an autosome and inherited recessively.…”