The use of RNA interference for the management of arthropod pests in livestock farms

Abstract

Pest management in farm animals is an important action to contain economic damage to livestock production and prevent transmission of severe diseases to the stock. The use of chemical insecticides is still the most common approach followed by farmers; however, avoiding possible toxic effects on animals is a fundamental task for pest control measures compatible with animal well‐being. Moreover, legal constraints and insurgence of resistance by target species to the available insecticidal compounds are increasingly complicating farmers' operations. Alternatives to chemical pesticides have been explored with some promising results in the area of biological control or the use of natural products as sprays. The application of RNA interference techniques has enabled the production of new means of pest control in agriculture, and it is opening a promising avenue for controlling arthropod pests of livestock. Transcript depletion of specific target genes of the recipient organisms is based on the action of double‐strand RNAs (dsRNA) capable of impairing the production of fundamental proteins. Their mode of action, based on the specific recognition of short genomic sequences, is expected to be highly selective towards non‐target organisms potentially exposed; in addition, there are physical and chemical barriers to dsRNA uptake by mammalian cells that render these products practically innocuous for higher animals. Summarising existing literature on gene silencing for main taxa of arthropod pests of livestock (Acarina, Diptera, Blattoidea), this review explores the perspectives of practical applications of dsRNA‐based pesticides against the main pests of farm animals. Knowledge gaps are summarised to stimulate additional research in this area.

RNAi silencing CHS1 gene shortens the mortality time of Plutella xylostella feeding Bt‐transgenic Brassica napus

“…Transferring dsRNA into plastids to protect it from degradation can enhance the accumulation of dsRNA in plants. Although dsRNA can be rapidly degraded, 48,49 and is unlikely for humans and other vertebrates to experience significant systemic absorption of intact dsRNA after dietary exposure to RNAi‐based biopesticides, 50,51 the existence of the off‐target effect of dsRNA transgenic crops raises concerns on their duration and safety 52 . Long‐term monitoring is necessary for non‐target organism effects of dsRNA transgenic crops in nature 48 .…”