Genome-Wide RNAi Screen for the Discovery of Gene Function, Novel Therapeutical Targets and Agricultural Applications

Bai, Hua

doi:10.5772/49945

Cited by 1 publication

(1 citation statement)

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“…Further investigations are needed to identify new targets and to develop novel methods for overcoming insect resistance to dsRNA. Suitable targets could be genes belonging to regulatory networks, such as those for hormone receptors (Bai, ) or the TOR signaling pathway (as proposed by Brandon et al., ). Investigations of the response of insect transcriptomes and proteomes to the presence of digestive enzyme inhibitors and other plant defenses may reveal the most strongly regulated genes as possible candidates for RNA interference (Govind et al., ; Oppert et al., ).…”

Section: Trypsin As a Target Of Pest Controlmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dietary and phylogenetic correlates of digestive trypsin activity in insect pests

Lazarević

Janković-Tomanić

2015

Entomologia Exp Applicata

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Because food proteins are crucial for insect survival, growth, and fecundity, enzymes involved in their digestion have attracted the attention of fundamental entomologists studying the mechanisms and patterns of dietary specialization, and applied entomologists searching for more efficient modes of pest control. Most insects digest proteins using trypsin, an endopeptidase that cleaves polypeptide chains on the carboxyl side of arginine and lysine, two basic amino acids. As the most ancestral proteinase, trypsin is wide-spread in the digestive tract of insects from various orders and with various feeding habits. The present review focuses on biochemical and molecular characteristics, mechanisms of regulation, and adaptive/non-adaptive changes of trypsin activity in response to heterogeneous food environments in a phylogenetic context. Within-and among-species variations in trypsin structure and regulation that contribute to better matching with specific food types are emphasized. We also discuss the relevance of these data for choosing an appropriate strategy for control of insect pests. Pest control strategies to reduce trypsin activity by interfering with substrate binding or trypsin synthesis and secretion have been suggested. Successful application of these procedures requires a multidisciplinary approach and knowledge about digestive physiology of the pest, as well as the structural characteristics of trypsins that determine their interaction with proteinaceous inhibitors and other food compounds, about patterns of developmental changes in trypsin gene expression, adaptive responses of insects to food composition, and various environmental effects on trypsin activity.

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Section: Trypsin As a Target Of Pest Controlmentioning

confidence: 99%