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Lebenzon JE, Toxopeus J. Knock down to level up: Reframing RNAi for invertebrate ecophysiology. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2024; 297:111703. [PMID: 39029617 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2024.111703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2024] [Revised: 07/16/2024] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/21/2024]
Abstract
Comparative ecophysiologists strive to understand physiological problems in non-model organisms, but molecular tools such as RNA interference (RNAi) are under-used in our field. Here, we provide a framework for invertebrate ecophysiologists to use RNAi to answer questions focused on physiological processes, rather than as a tool to investigate gene function. We specifically focus on non-model invertebrates, in which the use of other genetic tools (e.g., genetic knockout lines) is less likely. We argue that because RNAi elicits a temporary manipulation of gene expression, and resources to carry out RNAi are technically and financially accessible, it is an effective tool for invertebrate ecophysiologists. We cover the terminology and basic mechanisms of RNA interference as an accessible introduction for "non-molecular" physiologists, include a suggested workflow for identifying RNAi gene targets and validating biologically relevant gene knockdowns, and present a hypothesis-testing framework for using RNAi to answer common questions in the realm of invertebrate ecophysiology. This review encourages invertebrate ecophysiologists to use these tools and workflows to explore physiological processes and bridge genotypes to phenotypes in their animal(s) of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline E Lebenzon
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2N 1N4.
| | - Jantina Toxopeus
- Department of Biology, St. Francis Xavier University, 2321 Notre Dame Ave, Antigonish, NS, Canada B2G 2W5
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2
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Stewart ATM, Mysore K, Njoroge TM, Winter N, Feng RS, Singh S, James LD, Singkhaimuk P, Sun L, Mohammed A, Oxley JD, Duckham C, Ponlawat A, Severson DW, Duman-Scheel M. Demonstration of RNAi Yeast Insecticide Activity in Semi-Field Larvicide and Attractive Targeted Sugar Bait Trials Conducted on Aedes and Culex Mosquitoes. INSECTS 2023; 14:950. [PMID: 38132622 PMCID: PMC10743515 DOI: 10.3390/insects14120950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Eco-friendly new mosquito control innovations are critical for the ongoing success of global mosquito control programs. In this study, Sh.463_56.10R, a robust RNA interference (RNAi) yeast insecticide strain that is suitable for scaled fermentation, was evaluated under semi-field conditions. Inactivated and dried Sh.463_56.10R yeast induced significant mortality of field strain Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus, and Culex quinquefasciatus larvae in semi-field larvicide trials conducted outdoors in St. Augustine, Trinidad, where 100% of the larvae were dead within 24 h. The yeast was also stably suspended in commercial bait and deployed as an active ingredient in miniature attractive targeted sugar bait (ATSB) station sachets. The yeast ATSB induced high levels of Aedes and Culex mosquito morbidity in semi-field trials conducted in Trinidad, West Indies, as well as in Bangkok, Thailand, in which the consumption of the yeast resulted in adult female mosquito death within 48 h, faster than what was observed in laboratory trials. These findings support the pursuit of large-scale field trials to further evaluate the Sh.463_56.10R insecticide, a member of a promising new class of species-specific RNAi insecticides that could help combat insecticide resistance and support effective mosquito control programs worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akilah T. M. Stewart
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, South Bend, IN 46617, USA; (A.T.M.S.); (K.M.); (T.M.N.); (L.S.); (D.W.S.)
- Eck Institute for Global Health, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Keshava Mysore
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, South Bend, IN 46617, USA; (A.T.M.S.); (K.M.); (T.M.N.); (L.S.); (D.W.S.)
- Eck Institute for Global Health, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Teresia M. Njoroge
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, South Bend, IN 46617, USA; (A.T.M.S.); (K.M.); (T.M.N.); (L.S.); (D.W.S.)
- Eck Institute for Global Health, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Nikhella Winter
- Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science & Technology, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago; (N.W.); (R.S.F.); (S.S.); (L.D.J.); (A.M.)
| | - Rachel Shui Feng
- Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science & Technology, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago; (N.W.); (R.S.F.); (S.S.); (L.D.J.); (A.M.)
| | - Satish Singh
- Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science & Technology, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago; (N.W.); (R.S.F.); (S.S.); (L.D.J.); (A.M.)
| | - Lester D. James
- Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science & Technology, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago; (N.W.); (R.S.F.); (S.S.); (L.D.J.); (A.M.)
| | - Preeraya Singkhaimuk
- Department of Entomology, US Army Medical Directorate–Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences (USAMD-AFRIMS), Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (P.S.); (A.P.)
| | - Longhua Sun
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, South Bend, IN 46617, USA; (A.T.M.S.); (K.M.); (T.M.N.); (L.S.); (D.W.S.)
- Eck Institute for Global Health, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Azad Mohammed
- Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science & Technology, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago; (N.W.); (R.S.F.); (S.S.); (L.D.J.); (A.M.)
| | - James D. Oxley
- Southwest Research Institute, San Antonio, TX 78238, USA;
| | | | - Alongkot Ponlawat
- Department of Entomology, US Army Medical Directorate–Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences (USAMD-AFRIMS), Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (P.S.); (A.P.)
| | - David W. Severson
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, South Bend, IN 46617, USA; (A.T.M.S.); (K.M.); (T.M.N.); (L.S.); (D.W.S.)
- Eck Institute for Global Health, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
- Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science & Technology, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago; (N.W.); (R.S.F.); (S.S.); (L.D.J.); (A.M.)
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Molly Duman-Scheel
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, South Bend, IN 46617, USA; (A.T.M.S.); (K.M.); (T.M.N.); (L.S.); (D.W.S.)
- Eck Institute for Global Health, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
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3
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Brizzee C, Mysore K, Njoroge TM, McConnell S, Hamid-Adiamoh M, Stewart ATM, Kinder JT, Crawford J, Duman-Scheel M. Targeting Mosquitoes through Generation of an Insecticidal RNAi Yeast Strain Using Cas-CLOVER and Super PiggyBac Engineering in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:1056. [PMID: 37998862 PMCID: PMC10672312 DOI: 10.3390/jof9111056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The global deployment of RNAi yeast insecticides involves transitioning from the use of laboratory yeast strains to more robust strains that are suitable for scaled fermentation. In this investigation, the RNA-guided Cas-CLOVER system was used in combination with Piggybac transposase to produce robust Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains with multiple integrated copies of the Sh.463 short hairpin RNA (shRNA) insecticide expression cassette. This enabled the constitutive high-level expression of an insecticidal shRNA corresponding to a target sequence that is conserved in mosquito Shaker genes, but which is not found in non-target organisms. Top-expressing Cas-CLOVER strains performed well in insecticide trials conducted on Aedes, Culex, and Anopheles larvae and adult mosquitoes, which died following consumption of the yeast. Scaled fermentation facilitated the kilogram-scale production of the yeast, which was subsequently heat-killed and dried. These studies indicate that RNAi yeast insecticide production can be scaled, an advancement that may one day facilitate the global distribution of this new mosquito control intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corey Brizzee
- Demeetra Ag Bio, 2277 Thunderstick Dr. Suite 300, Lexington, KY 40505, USA; (C.B.); (S.M.); (J.T.K.)
| | - Keshava Mysore
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, 1234 Notre Dame Ave., South Bend, IN 46617, USA; (K.M.); (T.M.N.); (M.H.-A.); (A.T.M.S.)
- Eck Institute for Global Health, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Teresia M. Njoroge
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, 1234 Notre Dame Ave., South Bend, IN 46617, USA; (K.M.); (T.M.N.); (M.H.-A.); (A.T.M.S.)
- Eck Institute for Global Health, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Seth McConnell
- Demeetra Ag Bio, 2277 Thunderstick Dr. Suite 300, Lexington, KY 40505, USA; (C.B.); (S.M.); (J.T.K.)
| | - Majidah Hamid-Adiamoh
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, 1234 Notre Dame Ave., South Bend, IN 46617, USA; (K.M.); (T.M.N.); (M.H.-A.); (A.T.M.S.)
- Eck Institute for Global Health, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Akilah T. M. Stewart
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, 1234 Notre Dame Ave., South Bend, IN 46617, USA; (K.M.); (T.M.N.); (M.H.-A.); (A.T.M.S.)
- Eck Institute for Global Health, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - J. Tyler Kinder
- Demeetra Ag Bio, 2277 Thunderstick Dr. Suite 300, Lexington, KY 40505, USA; (C.B.); (S.M.); (J.T.K.)
| | - Jack Crawford
- Demeetra Ag Bio, 2277 Thunderstick Dr. Suite 300, Lexington, KY 40505, USA; (C.B.); (S.M.); (J.T.K.)
| | - Molly Duman-Scheel
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, 1234 Notre Dame Ave., South Bend, IN 46617, USA; (K.M.); (T.M.N.); (M.H.-A.); (A.T.M.S.)
- Eck Institute for Global Health, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
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Palli SR. RNAi turns 25:contributions and challenges in insect science. FRONTIERS IN INSECT SCIENCE 2023; 3:1209478. [PMID: 38469536 PMCID: PMC10926446 DOI: 10.3389/finsc.2023.1209478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
Since its discovery in 1998, RNA interference (RNAi), a Nobel prize-winning technology, made significant contributions to advances in biology because of its ability to mediate the knockdown of specific target genes. RNAi applications in medicine and agriculture have been explored with mixed success. The past 25 years of research on RNAi resulted in advances in our understanding of the mechanisms of its action, target specificity, and differential efficiency among animals and plants. RNAi played a major role in advances in insect biology. Did RNAi technology fully meet insect pest and disease vector management expectations? This review will discuss recent advances in the mechanisms of RNAi and its contributions to insect science. The remaining challenges, including delivery to the target site, differential efficiency, potential resistance development and possible solutions for the widespread use of this technology in insect management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subba Reddy Palli
- Department of Entomology, Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
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5
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Khalil SMS, Alahmed AM, Munawar K. RNAi-mediated mortality of Culex quinquefasciatus using two delivery methods of potential field application. Acta Trop 2023; 243:106938. [PMID: 37146864 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2023.106938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
With increasing reports of resistance to traditional insecticides, there is a need for innovative ways for mosquito control. RNAi is a sequence-specific molecular biology technique for gene silencing through degradation of mRNA and prevention of protein translation. Some genes are essential for insect life and their silencing can lead to insect morbidity and/or mortality. Searching for lethal genes in Culex quinquefasciatus, we found dynamin, ROP, HMGR and JHAMT to be lethal targets for RNAi in initial screening through larval soaking in dsRNA solution. Two delivery methods, chitosan nanoparticles and genetically modified yeast cells, were used in this study and proved effective in inducing high larval mortality and low adult emergence. Adult emergence after chitosan nanoparticles/dsRNA treatment was 12.67% ± 1.76 (HMGR), 17.33% ± 1.76 (dynamin), 18.67% ± 0.67 (ROP), and 35.33% ± 0.67 (JHAMT). Genetically modified yeast increased mortalities as adult emergence was 8.33% ± 1.67 (HMGR), 13.33% ± 3.33 (dynamin), and 10% ± 2.89 (JHAMT and ROP). Chitosan nanoparticles retained 75% of its biological activity whereas yeast cells retained >95% of their activities after 7 days of incubation in water. In conclusion, our results showed that these four genes are good targets for C. quinquefasciatus control using RNAi packaged in either chitosan nanoparticles or genetically modified yeast cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayed M S Khalil
- Plant Protection Department, College of Food and Agricultural Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia; Agricultural Genetic Engineering Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, 9 Gamaa Street, Giza, 12619, Egypt.
| | - Azzam M Alahmed
- Plant Protection Department, College of Food and Agricultural Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Kashif Munawar
- Plant Protection Department, College of Food and Agricultural Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia
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6
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MosChito rafts as effective and eco-friendly tool for the delivery of a Bacillus thuringiensis-based insecticide to Aedes albopictus larvae. Sci Rep 2023; 13:3041. [PMID: 36810640 PMCID: PMC9944263 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-29501-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Adult mosquito females, through their bites, are responsible for the transmission of different zoonotic pathogens. Although adult control represents a pillar for the prevention of disease spread, larval control is also crucial. Herein we characterized the effectiveness of a suitable tool, named "MosChito raft", for the aquatic delivery of a Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti) formulate, a bioinsecticide active by ingestion against mosquito larvae. MosChito raft is a floating tool composed by chitosan cross-linked with genipin in which a Bti-based formulate and an attractant have been included. MosChito rafts (i) resulted attractive for the larvae of the Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus, (ii) induced larval mortality within a few hours of exposure and, more importantly, (iii) protected the Bti-based formulate, whose insecticidal activity was maintained for more than one month in comparison to the few days residual activity of the commercial product. The delivery method was effective in both laboratory and semi-field conditions, demonstrating that MosChito rafts may represent an original, eco-based and user-friendly solution for larval control in domestic and peri-domestic aquatic habitats such as saucers and artificial containers in residential or urban environments.
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7
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Fei X, Huang X, Li Z, Li X, He C, Xiao S, Li Y, Zhang X, Deng X. Effect of marker-free transgenic Chlamydomonas on the control of Aedes mosquito population and on plankton. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:18. [PMID: 36653886 PMCID: PMC9847121 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05647-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND More than half of the world's population suffers from epidemic diseases that are spread by mosquitoes. The primary strategy used to stop the spread of mosquito-borne diseases is vector control. Interference RNA (RNAi) is a powerful tool for controlling insect populations and may be less susceptible to insect resistance than other strategies. However, public concerns have been raised because of the transfer of antibiotic resistance marker genes to environmental microorganisms after integration into the recipient genome, thus allowing the pathogen to acquire resistance. Therefore, in the present study, we modified the 3-hydroxykynurenine transaminase (3hkt) and hormone receptor 3 (hr3) RNAi vectors to remove antibiotic resistance marker genes and retain the expression cassette of the inverse repeat sequence of the 3hkt/hr3 target gene. This recombinant microalgal marker-free RNAi insecticide was subsequently added to the suburban water in a simulated-field trial to test its ability to control mosquito population. METHODS The expression cassette of the 3hkt/hr3 inverted repeat sequence and a DNA fragment of the argininosuccinate lyase gene without the ampicillin resistance gene were obtained using restriction enzyme digestion and recovery. After the cotransformation of Chlamydomonas, the recombinant algae was then employed to feed Aedes albopictus larvae. Ten and 300 larvae were used in small- and large-scale laboratory Ae.albopictus feeding trials, respectively. Simulated field trials were conducted using Meishe River water that was complemented with recombinant Chlamydomonas. Moreover, the impact of recombinant microalgae on phytoplankton and zooplankton in the released water was explored via high-throughput sequencing. RESULTS The marker-free RNAi-recombinant Chlamydomonas effectively silenced the 3hkt/hr3 target gene, resulting in the inhibition of Ae. albopictus development and also in the high rate of Ae. albopictus larvae mortality in the laboratory and simulated field trials. In addition, the results confirmed that the effect of recombinant Chlamydomonas on plankton in the released water was similar to that of the nontransgenic Chlamydomonas, which could reduce the abundance and species of plankton. CONCLUSIONS The marker-free RNAi-recombinant Chlamydomonas are highly lethal to the Ae. albopictus mosquito, and their effect on plankton in released water is similar to that of the nontransgenic algal strains, which reduces the abundance and species of plankton. Thus, marker-free recombinant Chlamydomonas can be used for mosquito biorational control and mosquito-borne disease prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaowen Fei
- grid.443397.e0000 0004 0368 7493Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Xiaodan Huang
- grid.443397.e0000 0004 0368 7493Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Zhijie Li
- grid.443397.e0000 0004 0368 7493Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Xinghan Li
- grid.509158.0Institute of Tropical Bioscience and Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Science and Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Resources of Tropical Crops of Hainan Province, Hainan Institute for Tropical Agricultural Resources, Haikou, China
| | - Changhao He
- grid.443397.e0000 0004 0368 7493Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Sha Xiao
- grid.443397.e0000 0004 0368 7493Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Yajun Li
- grid.509158.0Institute of Tropical Bioscience and Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Science and Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Resources of Tropical Crops of Hainan Province, Hainan Institute for Tropical Agricultural Resources, Haikou, China ,Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory for Functional Components Research and Utilization of Marine Bio-Resources, Haikou, China
| | - Xiuxia Zhang
- grid.509158.0Institute of Tropical Bioscience and Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Science and Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Resources of Tropical Crops of Hainan Province, Hainan Institute for Tropical Agricultural Resources, Haikou, China ,Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory for Functional Components Research and Utilization of Marine Bio-Resources, Haikou, China
| | - Xiaodong Deng
- grid.509158.0Institute of Tropical Bioscience and Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Science and Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Resources of Tropical Crops of Hainan Province, Hainan Institute for Tropical Agricultural Resources, Haikou, China ,Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory for Functional Components Research and Utilization of Marine Bio-Resources, Haikou, China ,grid.453499.60000 0000 9835 1415Zhanjiang Experimental Station, CATAS, Zhanjiang, China
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Mysore K, Hapairai LK, Realey JS, Sun L, Roethele JB, Duman-Scheel M. Sugar-Baited Delivery of Small Interfering RNA for Gene Silencing in Adult Mosquitoes. Cold Spring Harb Protoc 2022; 2022:Pdb.prot107808. [PMID: 35135889 DOI: 10.1101/pdb.prot107808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi), an innate regulatory mechanism that is conserved across many eukaryotic species, has been harnessed for experimental gene silencing in many organisms, including mosquitoes. This protocol describes an optimized method for inducing RNAi in adult Aedes aegypti and Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes that involves feeding them a red-colored sugar bait containing small interfering RNA (siRNA). This oral delivery method is less physically disruptive than delivery by subcutaneous injection, and the use of siRNAs (in contrast to long dsRNAs) for RNAi enables the design of molecules that target conserved sites so that gene function can be studied in multiple species. After feeding, the behavioral and morbidity phenotypes that result from the suppression of target gene expression can then be analyzed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keshava Mysore
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, South Bend, Indiana 46617, USA.,Eck Institute for Global Health, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, USA
| | - Limb K Hapairai
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, South Bend, Indiana 46617, USA.,Eck Institute for Global Health, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, USA
| | - Jacob S Realey
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, South Bend, Indiana 46617, USA.,Eck Institute for Global Health, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, USA
| | - Longhua Sun
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, South Bend, Indiana 46617, USA.,Eck Institute for Global Health, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, USA
| | - Joseph B Roethele
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, South Bend, Indiana 46617, USA.,Eck Institute for Global Health, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, USA
| | - Molly Duman-Scheel
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, South Bend, Indiana 46617, USA; .,Eck Institute for Global Health, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, USA
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9
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James LD, Winter N, Stewart ATM, Feng RS, Nandram N, Mohammed A, Duman-Scheel M, Romero-Severson E, Severson DW. Field trials reveal the complexities of deploying and evaluating the impacts of yeast-baited ovitraps on Aedes mosquito densities in Trinidad, West Indies. Sci Rep 2022; 12:4047. [PMID: 35260697 PMCID: PMC8904463 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-07910-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of lure-and-kill, large-volume ovitraps to control Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus populations has shown promise across multiple designs that target gravid females (adulticidal) or larvae post-oviposition (larvicidal). Here we report on a pilot trial to deploy 10 L yeast-baited ovitraps at select sites in Curepe, Trinidad, West Indies during July to December, 2019. Oviposition rates among ovitraps placed in three Treatment sites were compared to a limited number of traps placed in three Control areas (no Aedes management performed), and three Vector areas (subjected to standard Ministry of Health, Insect Vector Control efforts). Our goal was to gain baseline information on efforts to saturate the Treatment sites with ovitraps within 20–25 m of each other and compare oviposition rates at these sites with background oviposition rates in Control and Vector Areas. Although yeast-baited ovitraps were highly attractive to gravid Aedes females, a primary limitation encountered within the Treatment sites was the inability to gain access to residential compounds for trap placement, primarily due to residents being absent during the day. This severely limited our intent to saturate these areas with ovitraps, indicating that future studies must include plans to account for these inaccessible zones during trap placement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lester D James
- Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science & Technology, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Nikhella Winter
- Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science & Technology, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Akilah T M Stewart
- Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science & Technology, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Rachel Shui Feng
- Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science & Technology, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Naresh Nandram
- Insect Vector Control Division, Ministry of Health, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Azad Mohammed
- Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science & Technology, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Molly Duman-Scheel
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, South Bend, IN, USA.,Department of Biological Sciences and Eck Institute for Global Health, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, USA
| | - Ethan Romero-Severson
- Theoretical Biology and Biophysics Group, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM, USA
| | - David W Severson
- Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science & Technology, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago. .,Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, South Bend, IN, USA. .,Department of Biological Sciences and Eck Institute for Global Health, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, USA.
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Mysore K, Sun L, Li P, Roethele JB, Misenti JK, Kosmach J, Igiede J, Duman-Scheel M. A Conserved Female-Specific Requirement for the GGT Gene in Mosquito Larvae Facilitates RNAi-Mediated Sex Separation in Multiple Species of Disease Vector Mosquitoes. Pathogens 2022; 11:169. [PMID: 35215113 PMCID: PMC8879970 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11020169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Revised: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Although several emerging mosquito control technologies are dependent on mass releases of adult males, methods of sex-sorting that can be implemented globally have not yet been established. RNAi screens led to the discovery of siRNA, which targets gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), a gene which is well conserved in multiple species of mosquitoes and located at the sex-determining M locus region in Aedes aegypti. Silencing the A. aegypti, Aedes albopictus, Anopheles gambiae, Culex pipiens, and Culex quinquefasciatus GGT genes resulted in female larval death, with no significant impact on male survival. Generation of yeast strains that permitted affordable expression and oral delivery of shRNA corresponding to mosquito GGT genes facilitated larval target gene silencing and generated significantly increased 5 males:1 female adult ratios in each species. Yeast targeting a conserved sequence in Culex GGT genes was incorporated into a larval mass-rearing diet, permitting the generation of fit adult male C. pipiens and C. quinquefasciatus, two species for which labor-intensive manual sex separation had previously been utilized. The results of this study indicate that female-specific yeast-based RNAi larvicides may facilitate global implementation of population-based control strategies that require releases of sterile or genetically modified adult males, and that yeast RNAi strategies can be utilized in various species of mosquitoes that have progressed to different stages of sex chromosome evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keshava Mysore
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Raclin-Carmichael Hall, 1234 Notre Dame Ave., South Bend, IN 46617, USA; (K.M.); (L.S.); (P.L.); (J.B.R.); (J.K.M.); (J.K.); (J.I.)
- Eck Institute for Global Health, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Longhua Sun
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Raclin-Carmichael Hall, 1234 Notre Dame Ave., South Bend, IN 46617, USA; (K.M.); (L.S.); (P.L.); (J.B.R.); (J.K.M.); (J.K.); (J.I.)
- Eck Institute for Global Health, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Ping Li
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Raclin-Carmichael Hall, 1234 Notre Dame Ave., South Bend, IN 46617, USA; (K.M.); (L.S.); (P.L.); (J.B.R.); (J.K.M.); (J.K.); (J.I.)
- Eck Institute for Global Health, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Joseph B. Roethele
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Raclin-Carmichael Hall, 1234 Notre Dame Ave., South Bend, IN 46617, USA; (K.M.); (L.S.); (P.L.); (J.B.R.); (J.K.M.); (J.K.); (J.I.)
- Eck Institute for Global Health, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Joi K. Misenti
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Raclin-Carmichael Hall, 1234 Notre Dame Ave., South Bend, IN 46617, USA; (K.M.); (L.S.); (P.L.); (J.B.R.); (J.K.M.); (J.K.); (J.I.)
- Eck Institute for Global Health, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - John Kosmach
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Raclin-Carmichael Hall, 1234 Notre Dame Ave., South Bend, IN 46617, USA; (K.M.); (L.S.); (P.L.); (J.B.R.); (J.K.M.); (J.K.); (J.I.)
- Eck Institute for Global Health, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Jessica Igiede
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Raclin-Carmichael Hall, 1234 Notre Dame Ave., South Bend, IN 46617, USA; (K.M.); (L.S.); (P.L.); (J.B.R.); (J.K.M.); (J.K.); (J.I.)
- Eck Institute for Global Health, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Molly Duman-Scheel
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Raclin-Carmichael Hall, 1234 Notre Dame Ave., South Bend, IN 46617, USA; (K.M.); (L.S.); (P.L.); (J.B.R.); (J.K.M.); (J.K.); (J.I.)
- Eck Institute for Global Health, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
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Mateos Fernández R, Petek M, Gerasymenko I, Juteršek M, Baebler Š, Kallam K, Moreno Giménez E, Gondolf J, Nordmann A, Gruden K, Orzaez D, Patron NJ. Insect pest management in the age of synthetic biology. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2022; 20:25-36. [PMID: 34416790 PMCID: PMC8710903 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.13685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Revised: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/08/2021] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Arthropod crop pests are responsible for 20% of global annual crop losses, a figure predicted to increase in a changing climate where the ranges of numerous species are projected to expand. At the same time, many insect species are beneficial, acting as pollinators and predators of pest species. For thousands of years, humans have used increasingly sophisticated chemical formulations to control insect pests but, as the scale of agriculture expanded to meet the needs of the global population, concerns about the negative impacts of agricultural practices on biodiversity have grown. While biological solutions, such as biological control agents and pheromones, have previously had relatively minor roles in pest management, biotechnology has opened the door to numerous new approaches for controlling insect pests. In this review, we look at how advances in synthetic biology and biotechnology are providing new options for pest control. We discuss emerging technologies for engineering resistant crops and insect populations and examine advances in biomanufacturing that are enabling the production of new products for pest control.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marko Petek
- Department of Biotechnology and Systems BiologyNational Institute of BiologyLjubljanaSlovenia
| | - Iryna Gerasymenko
- Plant Biotechnology and Metabolic EngineeringTechnische Universität DarmstadtDarmstadtGermany
| | - Mojca Juteršek
- Department of Biotechnology and Systems BiologyNational Institute of BiologyLjubljanaSlovenia
- Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate SchoolLjubljanaSlovenia
| | - Špela Baebler
- Department of Biotechnology and Systems BiologyNational Institute of BiologyLjubljanaSlovenia
| | | | | | - Janine Gondolf
- Institut für PhilosophieTechnische Universität DarmstadtDarmstadtGermany
| | - Alfred Nordmann
- Institut für PhilosophieTechnische Universität DarmstadtDarmstadtGermany
| | - Kristina Gruden
- Department of Biotechnology and Systems BiologyNational Institute of BiologyLjubljanaSlovenia
| | - Diego Orzaez
- Institute for Plant Molecular and Cell Biology (IBMCP)UPV‐CSICValenciaSpain
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Mysore K, Sun L, Hapairai LK, Wang CW, Igiede J, Roethele JB, Scheel ND, Scheel MP, Li P, Wei N, Severson DW, Duman-Scheel M. A Yeast RNA-Interference Pesticide Targeting the Irx Gene Functions as a Broad-Based Mosquito Larvicide and Adulticide. INSECTS 2021; 12:insects12110986. [PMID: 34821787 PMCID: PMC8622680 DOI: 10.3390/insects12110986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Revised: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary It is critical that we identify new methods of preventing mosquito-borne infectious diseases, which threaten millions of people worldwide. In this investigation, we describe characterization of a new insecticide that turns off the mosquito Iroquois (Irx) gene, which is required for mosquito survival. The pesticide is synthesized in yeast, which can be fed to adult mosquitoes in a sugar bait solution or to juvenile mosquitoes that eat the yeast when it is placed in water where mosquitoes breed. Although the yeast kills several different types of mosquitoes, it was not found to affect the survival of other types of arthropods that consumed the yeast. These results indicate that yeast insecticides could one day be used for environmentally friendly mosquito control and disease prevention. Abstract Concerns for widespread insecticide resistance and the unintended impacts of insecticides on nontarget organisms have generated a pressing need for mosquito control innovations. A yeast RNAi-based insecticide that targets a conserved site in mosquito Irx family genes, but which has not yet been identified in the genomes of nontarget organisms, was developed and characterized. Saccharomyces cerevisiae constructed to express short hairpin RNA (shRNA) matching the target site induced significant Aedes aegypti larval death in both lab trials and outdoor semi-field evaluations. The yeast also induced high levels of mortality in adult females, which readily consumed yeast incorporated into an attractive targeted sugar bait (ATSB) during simulated field trials. A conserved requirement for Irx function as a regulator of proneural gene expression was observed in the mosquito brain, suggesting a possible mode of action. The larvicidal and adulticidal properties of the yeast were also verified in Aedes albopictus, Anopheles gambiae, and Culexquinquefasciatus mosquitoes, but the yeast larvicide was not toxic to other nontarget arthropods. These results indicate that further development and evaluation of this technology as an ecofriendly control intervention is warranted, and that ATSBs, an emerging mosquito control paradigm, could potentially be enriched through the use of yeast-based RNAi technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keshava Mysore
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Raclin-Carmichael Hall, 1234 Notre Dame Ave., South Bend, IN 46617, USA; (K.M.); (L.S.); (L.K.H.); (J.B.R.); (M.P.S.); (P.L.); (D.W.S.)
- Eck Institute for Global Health, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA; (C.-W.W.); (J.I.); (N.D.S.); (N.W.)
| | - Longhua Sun
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Raclin-Carmichael Hall, 1234 Notre Dame Ave., South Bend, IN 46617, USA; (K.M.); (L.S.); (L.K.H.); (J.B.R.); (M.P.S.); (P.L.); (D.W.S.)
- Eck Institute for Global Health, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA; (C.-W.W.); (J.I.); (N.D.S.); (N.W.)
| | - Limb K. Hapairai
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Raclin-Carmichael Hall, 1234 Notre Dame Ave., South Bend, IN 46617, USA; (K.M.); (L.S.); (L.K.H.); (J.B.R.); (M.P.S.); (P.L.); (D.W.S.)
- Eck Institute for Global Health, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA; (C.-W.W.); (J.I.); (N.D.S.); (N.W.)
| | - Chien-Wei Wang
- Eck Institute for Global Health, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA; (C.-W.W.); (J.I.); (N.D.S.); (N.W.)
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Jessica Igiede
- Eck Institute for Global Health, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA; (C.-W.W.); (J.I.); (N.D.S.); (N.W.)
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Joseph B. Roethele
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Raclin-Carmichael Hall, 1234 Notre Dame Ave., South Bend, IN 46617, USA; (K.M.); (L.S.); (L.K.H.); (J.B.R.); (M.P.S.); (P.L.); (D.W.S.)
- Eck Institute for Global Health, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA; (C.-W.W.); (J.I.); (N.D.S.); (N.W.)
| | - Nicholas D. Scheel
- Eck Institute for Global Health, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA; (C.-W.W.); (J.I.); (N.D.S.); (N.W.)
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Max P. Scheel
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Raclin-Carmichael Hall, 1234 Notre Dame Ave., South Bend, IN 46617, USA; (K.M.); (L.S.); (L.K.H.); (J.B.R.); (M.P.S.); (P.L.); (D.W.S.)
- Eck Institute for Global Health, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA; (C.-W.W.); (J.I.); (N.D.S.); (N.W.)
| | - Ping Li
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Raclin-Carmichael Hall, 1234 Notre Dame Ave., South Bend, IN 46617, USA; (K.M.); (L.S.); (L.K.H.); (J.B.R.); (M.P.S.); (P.L.); (D.W.S.)
- Eck Institute for Global Health, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA; (C.-W.W.); (J.I.); (N.D.S.); (N.W.)
| | - Na Wei
- Eck Institute for Global Health, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA; (C.-W.W.); (J.I.); (N.D.S.); (N.W.)
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - David W. Severson
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Raclin-Carmichael Hall, 1234 Notre Dame Ave., South Bend, IN 46617, USA; (K.M.); (L.S.); (L.K.H.); (J.B.R.); (M.P.S.); (P.L.); (D.W.S.)
- Eck Institute for Global Health, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA; (C.-W.W.); (J.I.); (N.D.S.); (N.W.)
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
- Department of Life Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad, Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Molly Duman-Scheel
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Raclin-Carmichael Hall, 1234 Notre Dame Ave., South Bend, IN 46617, USA; (K.M.); (L.S.); (L.K.H.); (J.B.R.); (M.P.S.); (P.L.); (D.W.S.)
- Eck Institute for Global Health, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA; (C.-W.W.); (J.I.); (N.D.S.); (N.W.)
- Correspondence:
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Guan R, Chu D, Han X, Miao X, Li H. Advances in the Development of Microbial Double-Stranded RNA Production Systems for Application of RNA Interference in Agricultural Pest Control. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2021; 9:753790. [PMID: 34589476 PMCID: PMC8473835 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2021.753790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi) is a valuable and revolutionary technology that has been widely applied in medicine and agriculture. The application of RNAi in various industries requires large amounts of low-cost double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). Chemical synthesis can only produce short dsRNAs; long dsRNAs need to be synthesized biologically. Several microbial chassis cells, such as Escherichia coli, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Bacillus species, have been used for dsRNA synthesis. However, the titer, rate of production, and yield of dsRNA obtained by these microorganism-based strategies is still low. In this review, we summarize advances in microbial dsRNA production, and analyze the merits and faults of different microbial dsRNA production systems. This review provides a guide for dsRNA production system selection. Future development of efficient microbial dsRNA production systems is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruobing Guan
- State Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science/College of Plant Protection, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Dongdong Chu
- State Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science/College of Plant Protection, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xinyi Han
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Xuexia Miao
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Haichao Li
- State Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science/College of Plant Protection, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
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14
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A Broad-Based Mosquito Yeast Interfering RNA Pesticide Targeting Rbfox1 Represses Notch Signaling and Kills Both Larvae and Adult Mosquitoes. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10101251. [PMID: 34684200 PMCID: PMC8541554 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10101251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Prevention of mosquito-borne infectious diseases will require new classes of environmentally safe insecticides and novel mosquito control technologies. Saccharomyces cerevisiae was engineered to express short hairpin RNA (shRNA) corresponding to mosquito Rbfox1 genes. The yeast induced target gene silencing, resulting in larval death that was observed in both laboratory and outdoor semi-field trials conducted on Aedes aegypti. High levels of mortality were also observed during simulated field trials in which adult females consumed yeast delivered through a sugar bait. Mortality correlated with defects in the mosquito brain, in which a role for Rbfox1 as a positive regulator of Notch signaling was identified. The larvicidal and adulticidal activities of the yeast were subsequently confirmed in trials conducted on Aedes albopictus, Anopheles gambiae, and Culex quinquefasciatus, yet the yeast had no impact on survival of select non-target arthropods. These studies indicate that yeast RNAi pesticides targeting Rbfox1 could be further developed as broad-based mosquito larvicides and adulticides for deployment in integrated biorational mosquito control programs. These findings also suggest that the species-specificity of attractive targeted sugar baits, a new paradigm for vector control, could potentially be enhanced through RNAi technology, and specifically through the use of yeast-based interfering RNA pesticides.
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Hapairai LK, Mysore K, James LD, Scheel ND, Realey JS, Sun L, Gerber LE, Feng RS, Romero-Severson E, Mohammed A, Duman-Scheel M, Severson DW. Evaluation of large volume yeast interfering RNA lure-and-kill ovitraps for attraction and control of Aedes mosquitoes. MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY 2021; 35:361-370. [PMID: 33377553 PMCID: PMC11095413 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Aedes mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae), principle vectors of several arboviruses, typically lay eggs in man-made water-filled containers located near human dwellings. Given the widespread emergence of insecticide resistance, stable and biofriendly alternatives for mosquito larviciding are needed. Laboratory studies have demonstrated that inactivated yeast interfering RNA tablets targeting key larval developmental genes can be used to facilitate effective larvicidal activity while also promoting selective gravid female oviposition behaviour. Here we examined the efficacy of transferring this technology toward development of lure-and-kill ovitraps targeting Aedes aegypti (L.) and Aedes albopictus (Skuse) female mosquitoes. Insectary, simulated field and semi-field experiments demonstrated that two mosquito-specific yeast interfering RNA pesticides induce high levels of mortality among larvae of both species in treated large volume containers. Small-scale field trials conducted in Trinidad, West Indies demonstrated that large volume ovitrap containers baited with inactivated yeast tablets lure significantly more gravid females than traps containing only water and were highly attractive to both A. aegypti and A. albopictus females. These studies indicate that development of biorational yeast interfering RNA-baited ovitraps may represent a new tool for control of Aedes mosquitoes, including deployment in existing lure-and-kill ovitrap technologies or traditional container larviciding programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Limb K. Hapairai
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, South Bend, IN, 46617 U.S.A
- Eck Institute for Global Health, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556 U.S.A
| | - Keshava Mysore
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, South Bend, IN, 46617 U.S.A
- Eck Institute for Global Health, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556 U.S.A
| | - Lester D. James
- Department of Life Sciences, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad, Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Nicholas D. Scheel
- Eck Institute for Global Health, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556 U.S.A
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556 U.S.A
| | - Jacob S. Realey
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, South Bend, IN, 46617 U.S.A
- Eck Institute for Global Health, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556 U.S.A
| | - Longhua Sun
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, South Bend, IN, 46617 U.S.A
- Eck Institute for Global Health, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556 U.S.A
| | - Laura E. Gerber
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, South Bend, IN, 46617 U.S.A
- Eck Institute for Global Health, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556 U.S.A
| | - Rachel Shui Feng
- Department of Life Sciences, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad, Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Ethan Romero-Severson
- Theoretical Biology and Biophysics Group, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM, 87545 U.S.A
| | - Azad Mohammed
- Department of Life Sciences, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad, Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Molly Duman-Scheel
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, South Bend, IN, 46617 U.S.A
- Eck Institute for Global Health, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556 U.S.A
| | - David W. Severson
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, South Bend, IN, 46617 U.S.A
- Eck Institute for Global Health, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556 U.S.A
- Department of Life Sciences, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad, Trinidad and Tobago
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556 U.S.A
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16
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Winter N, Stewart ATM, Igiede J, Wiltshire RM, Hapairai LK, James LD, Mohammed A, Severson DW, Duman-Scheel M. Assessment of Trinidad community stakeholder perspectives on the use of yeast interfering RNA-baited ovitraps for biorational control of Aedes mosquitoes. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0252997. [PMID: 34185784 PMCID: PMC8241094 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0252997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Dengue, Zika, chikungunya and yellow fever viruses continue to be a major public health burden. Aedes mosquitoes, the primary vectors responsible for transmitting these viral pathogens, continue to flourish due to local challenges in vector control management. Yeast interfering RNA-baited larval lethal ovitraps are being developed as a novel biorational control tool for Aedes mosquitoes. This intervention circumvents increasing issues with insecticide resistance and poses no known threat to non-target organisms. In an effort to create public awareness of this alternative vector control strategy, gain stakeholder feedback regarding product design and acceptance of the new intervention, and build capacity for its potential integration into existing mosquito control programs, this investigation pursued community stakeholder engagement activities, which were undertaken in Trinidad and Tobago. Three forms of assessment, including paper surveys, community forums, and household interviews, were used with the goal of evaluating local community stakeholders' knowledge of mosquitoes, vector control practices, and perceptions of the new technology. These activities facilitated evaluation of the hypothesis that the ovitraps would be broadly accepted by community stakeholders as a means of biorational control for Aedes mosquitoes. A comparison of the types of stakeholder input communicated through use of the three assessment tools highlighted the utility and merit of using each tool for assessing new global health interventions. Most study participants reported a general willingness to purchase an ovitrap on condition that it would be affordable and safe for human health and the environment. Stakeholders provided valuable input on product design, distribution, and operation. A need for educational campaigns that provide a mechanism for educating stakeholders about vector ecology and management was highlighted. The results of the investigation, which are likely applicable to many other Caribbean nations and other countries with heavy arboviral disease burdens, were supportive of supplementation of existing vector control strategies through the use of the yeast RNAi-based ovitraps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikhella Winter
- Department of Life Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Akilah T. M. Stewart
- Department of Life Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Jessica Igiede
- Eck Institute for Global Health, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, United States of America
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, United States of America
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, South Bend, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Rachel M. Wiltshire
- Eck Institute for Global Health, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, United States of America
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, South Bend, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Limb K. Hapairai
- Eck Institute for Global Health, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, United States of America
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, South Bend, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Lester D. James
- Department of Life Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Azad Mohammed
- Department of Life Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago
| | - David W. Severson
- Department of Life Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago
- Eck Institute for Global Health, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, United States of America
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, United States of America
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, South Bend, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Molly Duman-Scheel
- Eck Institute for Global Health, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, United States of America
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, South Bend, Indiana, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Mysore K, Sun L, Roethele JB, Li P, Igiede J, Misenti JK, Duman-Scheel M. A conserved female-specific larval requirement for MtnB function facilitates sex separation in multiple species of disease vector mosquitoes. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:338. [PMID: 34174948 PMCID: PMC8234664 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04844-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Clusters of sex-specific loci are predicted to shape the boundaries of the M/m sex-determination locus of the dengue vector mosquito Aedes aegypti, but the identities of these genes are not known. Identification and characterization of these loci could promote a better understanding of mosquito sex chromosome evolution and lead to the elucidation of new strategies for male mosquito sex separation, a requirement for several emerging mosquito population control strategies that are dependent on the mass rearing and release of male mosquitoes. This investigation revealed that the methylthioribulose-1-phosphate dehydratase (MtnB) gene, which resides adjacent to the M/m locus and encodes an evolutionarily conserved component of the methionine salvage pathway, is required for survival of female larvae. Results Larval consumption of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (yeast) strains engineered to express interfering RNA corresponding to MtnB resulted in target gene silencing and significant female death, yet had no impact on A. aegypti male survival or fitness. Integration of the yeast larvicides into mass culturing protocols permitted scaled production of fit adult male mosquitoes. Moreover, silencing MtnB orthologs in Aedes albopictus, Anopheles gambiae, and Culex quinquefasciatus revealed a conserved female-specific larval requirement for MtnB among different species of mosquitoes. Conclusions The results of this investigation, which may have important implications for the study of mosquito sex chromosome evolution, indicate that silencing MtnB can facilitate sex separation in multiple species of disease vector insects. Graphical Abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-021-04844-w.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keshava Mysore
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Raclin-Carmichael Hall, 1234 Notre Dame Ave., South Bend, IN, 46617, USA.,University of Notre Dame Eck Institute for Global Health, Notre Dame, IN, USA
| | - Longhua Sun
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Raclin-Carmichael Hall, 1234 Notre Dame Ave., South Bend, IN, 46617, USA.,University of Notre Dame Eck Institute for Global Health, Notre Dame, IN, USA
| | - Joseph B Roethele
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Raclin-Carmichael Hall, 1234 Notre Dame Ave., South Bend, IN, 46617, USA.,University of Notre Dame Eck Institute for Global Health, Notre Dame, IN, USA
| | - Ping Li
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Raclin-Carmichael Hall, 1234 Notre Dame Ave., South Bend, IN, 46617, USA.,University of Notre Dame Eck Institute for Global Health, Notre Dame, IN, USA
| | - Jessica Igiede
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Raclin-Carmichael Hall, 1234 Notre Dame Ave., South Bend, IN, 46617, USA.,University of Notre Dame Eck Institute for Global Health, Notre Dame, IN, USA
| | - Joi K Misenti
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Raclin-Carmichael Hall, 1234 Notre Dame Ave., South Bend, IN, 46617, USA.,University of Notre Dame Eck Institute for Global Health, Notre Dame, IN, USA
| | - Molly Duman-Scheel
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Raclin-Carmichael Hall, 1234 Notre Dame Ave., South Bend, IN, 46617, USA. .,University of Notre Dame Eck Institute for Global Health, Notre Dame, IN, USA.
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18
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Silver K, Cooper AM, Zhu KY. Strategies for enhancing the efficiency of RNA interference in insects. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2021; 77:2645-2658. [PMID: 33440063 DOI: 10.1002/ps.6277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Revised: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Low RNA interference (RNAi) efficiency in many insect pests has significantly prevented its widespread application for insect pest management. This article provides a comprehensive review of recent research in developing various strategies for enhancing RNAi efficiency. Our review focuses on the strategies in target gene selection and double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) delivery technologies. For target gene selection, genome-wide or large-scale screening strategies have been used to identify most susceptible target genes for RNAi. Other strategies include the design of dsRNA constructs and manipulate the structure of dsRNA to maximize the RNA efficiency for a target gene. For dsRNA delivery strategies, much recent research has focused on the applications of complexed or encapsulated dsRNA using various reagents, polymers, or peptides to enhance dsRNA stability and cellular uptake. Other dsRNA delivery strategies include genetic engineering of microbes (e.g. fungi, bacteria, and viruses) and plants to produce insect-specific dsRNA. The ingestion of the dsRNA-producing organisms or tissues will have lethal or detrimental effects on the target insect pests. This article also identifies obstacles to further developing RNAi for insect pest management and suggests future avenues of research that will maximize the potential for using RNAi for insect pest management. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristopher Silver
- Department of Entomology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA
| | | | - Kun Yan Zhu
- Department of Entomology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA
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19
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A functional requirement for sex-determination M/m locus region lncRNA genes in Aedes aegypti female larvae. Sci Rep 2021; 11:10657. [PMID: 34017069 PMCID: PMC8137943 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-90194-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Although many putative long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) genes have been identified in insect genomes, few of these genes have been functionally validated. A screen for female-specific larvicides that facilitate Aedes aegypti male sex separation uncovered multiple interfering RNAs with target sites in lncRNA genes located in the M/m locus region, including loci within or tightly linked to the sex determination locus. Larval consumption of a Saccharomyces cerevisiae (yeast) strain engineered to express interfering RNA corresponding to lncRNA transcripts resulted in significant female death, yet had no impact on male survival or fitness. Incorporation of the yeast larvicides into mass culturing protocols facilitated scaled production and separation of fit adult males, indicating that yeast larvicides could benefit mosquito population control strategies that rely on mass releases of male mosquitoes. These studies functionally verified a female-specific developmental requirement for M/m locus region lncRNA genes, suggesting that sexually antagonistic lncRNA genes found within this highly repetitive pericentromeric DNA sequence may be contributing to the evolution of A. aegypti sex chromosomes.
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20
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Cheng L, Ma D, Lu L, Ouyang D, Xi Z. Building Customizable Multisite‐Targeting c‐Myc shRNA Array into Branch‐PCR‐Constructed DNA Nanovectors for Enhanced Tumor Cell Suppression. ChemistrySelect 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/slct.202002609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Longhuai Cheng
- Department of Chemical Biology State Key Laboratory of Elemento-Organic Chemistry National Engineering Research Center of Pesticide (Tianjin) College of Chemistry Nankai University Weijin Road 94 Tianjin 300071 P. R. China
| | - Dejun Ma
- Department of Chemical Biology State Key Laboratory of Elemento-Organic Chemistry National Engineering Research Center of Pesticide (Tianjin) College of Chemistry Nankai University Weijin Road 94 Tianjin 300071 P. R. China
| | - Liqing Lu
- Department of Chemical Biology State Key Laboratory of Elemento-Organic Chemistry National Engineering Research Center of Pesticide (Tianjin) College of Chemistry Nankai University Weijin Road 94 Tianjin 300071 P. R. China
| | - Di Ouyang
- Department of Chemical Biology State Key Laboratory of Elemento-Organic Chemistry National Engineering Research Center of Pesticide (Tianjin) College of Chemistry Nankai University Weijin Road 94 Tianjin 300071 P. R. China
| | - Zhen Xi
- Department of Chemical Biology State Key Laboratory of Elemento-Organic Chemistry National Engineering Research Center of Pesticide (Tianjin) College of Chemistry Nankai University Weijin Road 94 Tianjin 300071 P. R. China
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21
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Wiltshire RM, Duman-Scheel M. Advances in oral RNAi for disease vector mosquito research and control. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2020; 40:18-23. [PMID: 32516723 PMCID: PMC8718359 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2020.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2019] [Revised: 03/02/2020] [Accepted: 05/04/2020] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Mosquito vectors in the genera Anopheles, Aedes, and Culex transmit a variety of medically important pathogens. Current vector control tools are reaching the limits of their effectiveness, necessitating the introduction of innovative vector control technologies. RNAi, which facilitates functional characterization of mosquito genes in the laboratory, could one day be applied as a new method of vector control. Recent advances in the oral administration of microbial-based systems for delivery of species-specific interfering RNA pesticides to mosquitoes may facilitate translation of this technology to the field. Oral RNAi-based pesticides represent a new class of biorational pesticides that could combat increased global incidence of insecticide resistance and which could one day become critical components of integrated human disease vector mosquito control programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel M Wiltshire
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, 1234 N. Notre Dame Ave, South Bend, IN 46617, USA; Eck Institute for Global Health, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Molly Duman-Scheel
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, 1234 N. Notre Dame Ave, South Bend, IN 46617, USA; Eck Institute for Global Health, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA; Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA.
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22
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Mysore K, Hapairai LK, Sun L, Li P, Wang CW, Scheel ND, Lesnik A, Igiede J, Scheel MP, Wei N, Severson DW, Duman-Scheel M. Characterization of a dual-action adulticidal and larvicidal interfering RNA pesticide targeting the Shaker gene of multiple disease vector mosquitoes. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008479. [PMID: 32687496 PMCID: PMC7392347 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2019] [Revised: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The existing mosquito pesticide repertoire faces great challenges to sustainability, and new classes of pesticides are vitally needed to address established and emerging mosquito-borne infectious diseases. RNA interference- (RNAi-) based pesticides are emerging as a promising new biorational mosquito control strategy. In this investigation, we describe characterization of an interfering RNA pesticide (IRP) corresponding to the mosquito Shaker (Sh) gene, which encodes an evolutionarily conserved voltage-gated potassium channel subunit. Delivery of the IRP to Aedes aegypti adult mosquitoes in the form of siRNA that was injected or provided as an attractive toxic sugar bait (ATSB) led to Sh gene silencing that resulted in severe neural and behavioral defects and high levels of adult mortality. Likewise, when provided to A. aegypti larvae in the form of short hairpin RNA (shRNA) expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae (baker’s yeast) that had been formulated into a dried inactivated yeast tablet, the yeast IRP induced neural defects and larval death. Although the Sh IRP lacks a known target site in humans or other non-target organisms, conservation of the target site in the Sh genes of multiple mosquito species suggested that it may function as a biorational broad-range mosquito insecticide. In support of this, the Sh IRP induced both adult and larval mortality in treated Aedes albopictus, Anopheles gambiae, and Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes, but was not toxic to non-target arthropods. These studies indicated that IRPs targeting Sh could one day be used in integrated biorational mosquito control programs for the prevention of multiple mosquito-borne illnesses. The results of this investigation also suggest that the species-specificity of ATSB technology, a new paradigm for vector control, could be enhanced through the use of RNAi-based pesticides. New classes of environmentally-safe pesticides are vitally needed to address established and emerging mosquito-borne infectious diseases. In this investigation, we describe characterization of an interfering RNA pesticide corresponding to the mosquito Shaker gene. Although the pesticide recognizes a conserved target site in the Shaker genes of multiple species of disease vector mosquitoes, it lacks a known target site in humans or other non-target organisms. The pesticide killed adult mosquitoes when it was microinjected or provided to adults as an attractive toxic sugar bait. The pesticide also induced high mortality rates when fed to larvae using a yeast-based expression and delivery system. These studies demonstrated that interfering RNA pesticides targeting the mosquito Shaker gene could one day be used for the biorational control of mosquitoes and the prevention of multiple mosquito-borne illnesses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keshava Mysore
- Indiana University School of Medicine, Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, South Bend, Indiana, United States of America
- The University of Notre Dame Eck Institute for Global Health, Notre Dame, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Limb K. Hapairai
- Indiana University School of Medicine, Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, South Bend, Indiana, United States of America
- The University of Notre Dame Eck Institute for Global Health, Notre Dame, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Longhua Sun
- Indiana University School of Medicine, Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, South Bend, Indiana, United States of America
- The University of Notre Dame Eck Institute for Global Health, Notre Dame, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Ping Li
- Indiana University School of Medicine, Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, South Bend, Indiana, United States of America
- The University of Notre Dame Eck Institute for Global Health, Notre Dame, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Chien-Wei Wang
- The University of Notre Dame Eck Institute for Global Health, Notre Dame, Indiana, United States of America
- The University of Notre Dame Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, Notre Dame, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Nicholas D. Scheel
- The University of Notre Dame Eck Institute for Global Health, Notre Dame, Indiana, United States of America
- The University of Notre Dame Department of Biological Sciences, Notre Dame, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Alexandra Lesnik
- The University of Notre Dame Eck Institute for Global Health, Notre Dame, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Jessica Igiede
- The University of Notre Dame Eck Institute for Global Health, Notre Dame, Indiana, United States of America
- The University of Notre Dame Department of Biological Sciences, Notre Dame, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Max P. Scheel
- Indiana University School of Medicine, Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, South Bend, Indiana, United States of America
- The University of Notre Dame Eck Institute for Global Health, Notre Dame, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Na Wei
- The University of Notre Dame Eck Institute for Global Health, Notre Dame, Indiana, United States of America
- The University of Notre Dame Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, Notre Dame, Indiana, United States of America
| | - David W. Severson
- Indiana University School of Medicine, Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, South Bend, Indiana, United States of America
- The University of Notre Dame Eck Institute for Global Health, Notre Dame, Indiana, United States of America
- The University of Notre Dame Department of Biological Sciences, Notre Dame, Indiana, United States of America
- The University of the West Indies, Department of Life Sciences, St. Augustine, Trinidad, Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Molly Duman-Scheel
- Indiana University School of Medicine, Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, South Bend, Indiana, United States of America
- The University of Notre Dame Eck Institute for Global Health, Notre Dame, Indiana, United States of America
- The University of Notre Dame Department of Biological Sciences, Notre Dame, Indiana, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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23
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Giesbrecht D, Heschuk D, Wiens I, Boguski D, LaChance P, Whyard S. RNA Interference Is Enhanced by Knockdown of double-stranded RNases in the Yellow Fever Mosquito Aedes Aegypti. INSECTS 2020; 11:insects11060327. [PMID: 32471283 PMCID: PMC7349537 DOI: 10.3390/insects11060327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Revised: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi) techniques are being developed for a range of pest insect control technologies, including the sterile insect technique (SIT) and double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)-based insecticides. In SIT applications, where >99% of the released males should be sterile to meet industry standards, the efficiency of RNAi will need to be improved for many insect species if this technology is to be adopted. Endogenous dsRNases can impede dsRNA delivery in some insects, and, here, we investigated whether dsRNases in the midgut could limit RNAi efficacy in the mosquito Aedes aegypti. Ten putative dsRNases were identified in the Ae. aegypti genome, with two highly expressed in the midguts of larvae. Using an ex vivo assay, we observed that dsRNA was rapidly degraded within the mosquito larva’s gut. Double-stranded RNA targeting these two dsRNases, when fed to the larvae, effectively reduced gut dsRNase activity. When these dsRNase-specific dsRNAs were co-delivered with dsRNA targeting a cyan fluorescent protein (CFP) reporter gene, greater knockdown of CFP fluorescence was observed. These results suggest that inhibiting dsRNase activity could enable the implementation of RNAi-based mosquito control methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Giesbrecht
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada; (D.G.); (D.H.); (I.W.); (P.L.)
| | - Daniel Heschuk
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada; (D.G.); (D.H.); (I.W.); (P.L.)
| | - Ian Wiens
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada; (D.G.); (D.H.); (I.W.); (P.L.)
| | - David Boguski
- Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada;
| | - Parker LaChance
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada; (D.G.); (D.H.); (I.W.); (P.L.)
| | - Steve Whyard
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada; (D.G.); (D.H.); (I.W.); (P.L.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-204-474-9418
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24
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Hapairai LK, Mysore K, Sun L, Li P, Wang CW, Scheel ND, Lesnik A, Scheel MP, Igiede J, Wei N, Severson DW, Duman-Scheel M. Characterization of an adulticidal and larvicidal interfering RNA pesticide that targets a conserved sequence in mosquito G protein-coupled dopamine 1 receptor genes. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2020; 120:103359. [PMID: 32169582 PMCID: PMC8744133 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2020.103359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Revised: 01/29/2020] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), key regulators of a variety of critical biological processes, are attractive targets for insecticide development. Given the importance of these receptors in many organisms, including humans, it is critical that novel pesticides directed against GPCRs are designed to be species-specific. Here, we present characterization of an interfering RNA pesticide (IRP) targeting the mosquito GPCR-encoding dopamine 1 receptor (dop1) genes. A small interfering RNA corresponding to dop1 was identified in a screen for IRPs that kill Aedes aegypti during both the adult and larval stages. The 25 bp sequence targeted by this IRP is conserved in the dop1 genes of multiple mosquito species, but not in non-target organisms, indicating that it could function as a biorational mosquito insecticide. Aedes aegypti adults treated through microinjection or attractive toxic sugar bait delivery of small interfering RNA corresponding to the target site exhibited severe neural and behavioral defects and high levels of adult mortality. Likewise, A. aegypti larval consumption of dried inactivated yeast tablets prepared from a Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain engineered to express short hairpin RNA corresponding to the dop1 target site resulted in severe neural defects and larval mortality. Aedes albopictus and Anopheles gambiae adult and larval mortality was also observed following treatment with dop1 IRPs, which were not toxic to non-target arthropods. The results of this investigation indicate that dop1 IRPs can be used for species-specific targeting of dop1 GPCRs and may represent a new biorational strategy for control of both adult and larval mosquitoes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Limb K Hapairai
- Indiana University School of Medicine, Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Raclin-Carmichael Hall, 1234 Notre Dame Ave., South Bend, IN, 46617, USA; The University of Notre Dame Eck Institute for Global Health, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA.
| | - Keshava Mysore
- Indiana University School of Medicine, Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Raclin-Carmichael Hall, 1234 Notre Dame Ave., South Bend, IN, 46617, USA; The University of Notre Dame Eck Institute for Global Health, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA.
| | - Longhua Sun
- Indiana University School of Medicine, Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Raclin-Carmichael Hall, 1234 Notre Dame Ave., South Bend, IN, 46617, USA; The University of Notre Dame Eck Institute for Global Health, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA.
| | - Ping Li
- Indiana University School of Medicine, Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Raclin-Carmichael Hall, 1234 Notre Dame Ave., South Bend, IN, 46617, USA; The University of Notre Dame Eck Institute for Global Health, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA.
| | - Chien-Wei Wang
- The University of Notre Dame Eck Institute for Global Health, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA; The University of Notre Dame Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, Cushing Hall, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA.
| | - Nicholas D Scheel
- The University of Notre Dame Eck Institute for Global Health, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA; The University of Notre Dame Department of Biological Sciences, Galvin Life Sciences, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA.
| | - Alexandra Lesnik
- The University of Notre Dame Eck Institute for Global Health, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA.
| | - Max P Scheel
- Indiana University School of Medicine, Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Raclin-Carmichael Hall, 1234 Notre Dame Ave., South Bend, IN, 46617, USA; The University of Notre Dame Eck Institute for Global Health, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA.
| | - Jessica Igiede
- The University of Notre Dame Eck Institute for Global Health, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA; The University of Notre Dame Department of Biological Sciences, Galvin Life Sciences, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA.
| | - Na Wei
- The University of Notre Dame Eck Institute for Global Health, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA; The University of Notre Dame Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, Cushing Hall, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA.
| | - David W Severson
- Indiana University School of Medicine, Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Raclin-Carmichael Hall, 1234 Notre Dame Ave., South Bend, IN, 46617, USA; The University of Notre Dame Eck Institute for Global Health, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA; The University of Notre Dame Department of Biological Sciences, Galvin Life Sciences, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA; The University of the West Indies, Department of Life Sciences, St. Augustine, Trinidad, Trinidad and Tobago.
| | - Molly Duman-Scheel
- Indiana University School of Medicine, Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Raclin-Carmichael Hall, 1234 Notre Dame Ave., South Bend, IN, 46617, USA; The University of Notre Dame Eck Institute for Global Health, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA; The University of Notre Dame Department of Biological Sciences, Galvin Life Sciences, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA.
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25
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Mysore K, Li P, Wang CW, Hapairai LK, Scheel ND, Realey JS, Sun L, Severson DW, Wei N, Duman-Scheel M. Characterization of a broad-based mosquito yeast interfering RNA larvicide with a conserved target site in mosquito semaphorin-1a genes. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:256. [PMID: 31118082 PMCID: PMC6532267 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3504-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2019] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND RNA interference (RNAi), which has facilitated functional characterization of mosquito neural development genes such as the axon guidance regulator semaphorin-1a (sema1a), could one day be applied as a new means of vector control. Saccharomyces cerevisiae (baker's yeast) may represent an effective interfering RNA expression system that could be used directly for delivery of RNA pesticides to mosquito larvae. Here we describe characterization of a yeast larvicide developed through bioengineering of S. cerevisiae to express a short hairpin RNA (shRNA) targeting a conserved site in mosquito sema1a genes. RESULTS Experiments conducted on Aedes aegypti larvae demonstrated that the yeast larvicide effectively silences sema1a expression, generates severe neural defects, and induces high levels of larval mortality in laboratory, simulated-field, and semi-field experiments. The larvicide was also found to induce high levels of Aedes albopictus, Anopheles gambiae and Culex quinquefasciatus mortality. CONCLUSIONS The results of these studies indicate that use of yeast interfering RNA larvicides targeting mosquito sema1a genes may represent a new biorational tool for mosquito control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keshava Mysore
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, South Bend, IN USA
- Eck Institute for Global Health, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN USA
| | - Ping Li
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, South Bend, IN USA
- Eck Institute for Global Health, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN USA
| | - Chien-Wei Wang
- Eck Institute for Global Health, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN USA
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN USA
| | - Limb K. Hapairai
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, South Bend, IN USA
- Eck Institute for Global Health, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN USA
| | - Nicholas D. Scheel
- Eck Institute for Global Health, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN USA
| | - Jacob S. Realey
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, South Bend, IN USA
- Eck Institute for Global Health, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN USA
| | - Longhua Sun
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, South Bend, IN USA
- Eck Institute for Global Health, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN USA
| | - David W. Severson
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, South Bend, IN USA
- Eck Institute for Global Health, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN USA
- Department of Life Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad, Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Na Wei
- Eck Institute for Global Health, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN USA
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN USA
| | - Molly Duman-Scheel
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, South Bend, IN USA
- Eck Institute for Global Health, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN USA
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26
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Mysore K, Li P, Wang CW, Hapairai LK, Scheel ND, Realey JS, Sun L, Roethele JB, Severson DW, Wei N, Duman-Scheel M. Characterization of a yeast interfering RNA larvicide with a target site conserved in the synaptotagmin gene of multiple disease vector mosquitoes. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0007422. [PMID: 31107878 PMCID: PMC6544322 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2019] [Revised: 05/31/2019] [Accepted: 04/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
New mosquito control strategies are vitally needed to address established and emerging arthropod-borne infectious diseases. Here we describe the characterization of a yeast interfering RNA larvicide that was developed through the genetic engineering of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (baker's yeast) to express a short hairpin RNA targeting the Aedes aegypti synaptotagmin (Aae syt) gene. The larvicide effectively silences the Aae syt gene, causes defects at the larval neural synapse, and induces high rates of A. aegypti larval mortality in laboratory, simulated-field, and semi-field trials. Conservation of the interfering RNA target site in multiple mosquito species, but not in humans or other non-target species, suggested that it may function as a broad-range mosquito larvicide. In support of this, consumption of the yeast interfering RNA larvicide was also found to induce high rates of larval mortality in Aedes albopictus, Anopheles gambiae, and Culex quinquefasciatus mosquito larvae. The results of these studies suggest that this biorational yeast interfering RNA larvicide may represent a new intervention that can be used to combat multiple mosquito vectors of human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keshava Mysore
- Indiana University School of Medicine, Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, South Bend, IN, United States of America
- The University of Notre Dame Eck Institute for Global Health, Notre Dame, IN, United States of America
| | - Ping Li
- Indiana University School of Medicine, Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, South Bend, IN, United States of America
- The University of Notre Dame Eck Institute for Global Health, Notre Dame, IN, United States of America
| | - Chien-Wei Wang
- The University of Notre Dame Eck Institute for Global Health, Notre Dame, IN, United States of America
- The University of Notre Dame Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, Notre Dame, IN, United States of America
| | - Limb K. Hapairai
- Indiana University School of Medicine, Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, South Bend, IN, United States of America
- The University of Notre Dame Eck Institute for Global Health, Notre Dame, IN, United States of America
| | - Nicholas D. Scheel
- The University of Notre Dame Eck Institute for Global Health, Notre Dame, IN, United States of America
- The University of Notre Dame Department of Biological Sciences, Notre Dame, IN, United States of America
| | - Jacob S. Realey
- Indiana University School of Medicine, Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, South Bend, IN, United States of America
- The University of Notre Dame Eck Institute for Global Health, Notre Dame, IN, United States of America
| | - Longhua Sun
- Indiana University School of Medicine, Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, South Bend, IN, United States of America
- The University of Notre Dame Eck Institute for Global Health, Notre Dame, IN, United States of America
| | - Joseph B. Roethele
- Indiana University School of Medicine, Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, South Bend, IN, United States of America
- The University of Notre Dame Eck Institute for Global Health, Notre Dame, IN, United States of America
| | - David W. Severson
- Indiana University School of Medicine, Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, South Bend, IN, United States of America
- The University of Notre Dame Eck Institute for Global Health, Notre Dame, IN, United States of America
- The University of Notre Dame Department of Biological Sciences, Notre Dame, IN, United States of America
- The University of the West Indies, Department of Life Sciences, St. Augustine, Trinidad, Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Na Wei
- The University of Notre Dame Eck Institute for Global Health, Notre Dame, IN, United States of America
- The University of Notre Dame Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, Notre Dame, IN, United States of America
| | - Molly Duman-Scheel
- Indiana University School of Medicine, Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, South Bend, IN, United States of America
- The University of Notre Dame Eck Institute for Global Health, Notre Dame, IN, United States of America
- The University of Notre Dame Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, Notre Dame, IN, United States of America
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