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Zhu Y, Kong L, Wang X, Xu J, Qian X, Yang Y, Xu Z, Zhu KY. Rolling circle transcription: A new system to produce RNA microspheres for improving RNAi efficiency in an agriculturally important lepidopteran pest (Mythimna separate). PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 197:105680. [PMID: 38072537 DOI: 10.1016/j.pestbp.2023.105680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
We applied a new RNA interference (RNAi) system using rolling circle transcription (RCT) technology to generate RNA microspheres (RMS) for targeting two key chitin synthetic pathway genes [chitin synthase A (CHSA), chitin synthase B (CHSB)] in the larvae of the oriental armyworm (Mythimna separate), a RNAi-unsusceptible agriculturally important lepidopteran pest. Feeding the third-instar larvae with the RMS-CHSA- or RMS-CHSB-treated corn leaf discs suppressed the expression of CHSA by 81.7% or CHSB by 88.1%, respectively, at 72 h. The silencing of CHSA consequently affected the larval development, including the reduced body weight (54.0%) and length (41.3%), as evaluated on the 7th day, and caused significant larval mortalities (51.1%) as evaluated on the 14th day. Similar results were obtained with the larvae fed RMS-CHSB. We also compared RNAi efficiencies among different strategies: 1) two multi-target RMS [i.e., RMS-(CHSA + CHSB), RMS-CHSA + RMS-CHSB], and 2) multi-target RMS and single-target RMS (i.e., either RMS-CHSA or RMS-CHSB) and found no significant differences in RNAi efficiency. By using Cy3-labeled RMS, we confirmed that RMS can be rapidly internalized into Sf9 cells (<6 h). The rapid cellular uptake of RMS accompanied with significant RNAi efficiency through larval feeding suggests that the RCT-based RNAi system can be readily applied to study the gene functions and further developed as bio-pesticides for insect pest management. Additionally, our new RNAi system takes the advantage of the microRNA (miRNA)-mediated RNAi pathway using miRNA duplexes generated in vivo from the RMS by the target insect. The system can be used for RNAi in a wide range of insect species, including lepidopteran insects which often exhibit extremely low RNAi efficiency using other RNAi approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yutong Zhu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Linghao Kong
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Xinqian Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Jiazheng Xu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Xuhong Qian
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Yangyang Yang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China.
| | - Zhiping Xu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China.
| | - Kun Yan Zhu
- Department of Entomology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506-4004, USA
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Wu Y, Weng Z, Yan H, Yao Z, Li Z, Sun Y, Ma K, Hull JJ, Zhang D, Ma W, Hua H, Lin Y. The microRNA-7322-5p/p38/Hsp19 axis modulates Chilo suppressalis cell-defences against Cry1Ca: an effective target for a stacked transgenic rice approach. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2023; 21:1827-1838. [PMID: 37353991 PMCID: PMC10440986 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.14095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 04/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023]
Abstract
Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)-secreted crystal (Cry) toxins form oligomeric pores in host cell membranes and are a common element in generating insect-resistant transgenic crops. Although Cry toxin function has been well documented, cellular defences against pore-formation have not been as well developed. Elucidation of the processes underlying this defence, however, could contribute to the development of enhanced Bt crops. Here, we demonstrate that Cry1Ca-mediated downregulation of microRNA-7322-5p (miR-7322-5p), which binds to the 3' untranslated region of p38, negatively regulates the susceptibility of Chilo suppressalis to Cry1Ca. Moreover, Cry1Ca exposure enhanced phosphorylation of Hsp19, and hsp19 downregulation increased susceptibility to Cry1Ca. Further, Hsp19 phosphorylation occurs downstream of p38, and pull-down assays confirmed the interactions between Hsp19 and Cry1Ca, suggesting that activation of Hsp19 by the miR-7322-5p/p38/Hsp19 pathway promotes Cry1Ca sequestration. To assess the efficacy of targeting this pathway in planta, double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) targeting C. suppressalis p38 (dsp38) was introduced into a previously generated cry1Ca-expressing rice line (1CH1-2) to yield a single-copy cry1Ca/dsp38 rice line (p38-rice). Feeding on this rice line triggered a significant reduction in C. suppressalis p38 expression and the line was more resistant to C. suppressalis than 1CH1-2 in both short term (7-day) and continuous feeding bioassays as well as field trials. These findings provide new insights into invertebrate epithelium cellular defences and demonstrate a potential new pyramiding strategy for Bt crops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Wu
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement and National Centre of Plant Gene Research, Hubei Hongshan LaboratoryHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanHubeiChina
- College of Plant Science and TechnologyHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanHubeiChina
| | - Zijin Weng
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement and National Centre of Plant Gene Research, Hubei Hongshan LaboratoryHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanHubeiChina
- College of Life Science and TechnologyHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanHubeiChina
| | - Haixia Yan
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement and National Centre of Plant Gene Research, Hubei Hongshan LaboratoryHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanHubeiChina
- College of Life Science and TechnologyHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanHubeiChina
| | - Zhuotian Yao
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement and National Centre of Plant Gene Research, Hubei Hongshan LaboratoryHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanHubeiChina
- College of Plant Science and TechnologyHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanHubeiChina
| | - Zhenzhen Li
- College of Plant Science and TechnologyHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanHubeiChina
| | - Yajie Sun
- College of Plant Science and TechnologyHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanHubeiChina
| | - Kangsheng Ma
- College of Plant Science and TechnologyHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanHubeiChina
| | - J. Joe Hull
- U.S. Arid Land Agricultural Research Center, Department of AgricultureU.S. Agricultural Research ServiceMaricopaArizonaUSA
| | - Delin Zhang
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement and National Centre of Plant Gene Research, Hubei Hongshan LaboratoryHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanHubeiChina
- College of Life Science and TechnologyHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanHubeiChina
| | - Weihua Ma
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement and National Centre of Plant Gene Research, Hubei Hongshan LaboratoryHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanHubeiChina
- College of Plant Science and TechnologyHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanHubeiChina
| | - Hongxia Hua
- College of Plant Science and TechnologyHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanHubeiChina
| | - Yongjun Lin
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement and National Centre of Plant Gene Research, Hubei Hongshan LaboratoryHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanHubeiChina
- College of Life Science and TechnologyHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanHubeiChina
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Guo H, Long GJ, Liu XZ, Ma YF, Zhang MQ, Gong LL, Dewer Y, Hull JJ, Wang MM, Wang Q, He M, He P. Functional characterization of tyrosine melanin genes in the white-backed planthopper and utilization of a spray-based nanoparticle-wrapped dsRNA technique for pest control. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 230:123123. [PMID: 36603718 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.123123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
As a significant pest of rice the white-backed planthopper (WBPH) Sogatella furcifera is a focus of pest management. However, traditional chemical-based control methods risk the development of pesticide resistance as well as severe ecological repercussions. Although nanoparticle-encapsulated dsRNAs provide a promising alternative method for sustainable pest management, gene targets specific to WBPH have yet to be optimized. Genes in the tyrosine-melanin pathway impact epidermal melanization and sclerotization, two processes essential for insect development and metabolism, have been proposed as good candidate targets for pest management. Seven genes (aaNAT, black, DDC, ebony, tan, TH, and yellow-y) in this group were identified from WBPH genome and functionally characterized by using RNAi for their impact on WBPH body color, development, and mortality. Knockdown of SfDDC, Sfblack, SfaaNAT, and Sftan caused cuticles to turn black, whereas Sfyellow-y and Sfebony knockdown resulted in yellow coloration. SfTH knockdown resulted in pale-colored bodies and high mortality. Additionally, an Escherichia coli expression system for large-scale dsRNA production was coupled with star polycation nanoparticles to develop a sprayable RNAi method targeting SfTH that induced high WBPH mortality rates on rice seedlings. These findings lay the groundwork for the development of large-scale dsRNA nanoparticle sprays as a WBPH control method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Guo
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Center for R&D of Fine Chemicals of Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, PR China
| | - Gui-Jun Long
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Center for R&D of Fine Chemicals of Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, PR China
| | - Xuan-Zheng Liu
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Center for R&D of Fine Chemicals of Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, PR China
| | - Yun-Feng Ma
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Center for R&D of Fine Chemicals of Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, PR China
| | - Meng-Qi Zhang
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Center for R&D of Fine Chemicals of Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, PR China
| | - Lang-Lang Gong
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Center for R&D of Fine Chemicals of Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, PR China
| | - Youssef Dewer
- Phytotoxicity Research Department, Central Agricultural Pesticide Laboratory, Agricultural Research Center, 7 Nadi El-Seid Street, Dokki, 12618 Giza, Egypt
| | - J Joe Hull
- Pest Management and Biocontrol Research Unit, US Arid Land Agricultural Research Center, USDA Agricultural Research Services, Maricopa, AZ, 85138, USA
| | - Mei-Mei Wang
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Center for R&D of Fine Chemicals of Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, PR China
| | - Qin Wang
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Center for R&D of Fine Chemicals of Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, PR China
| | - Ming He
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Center for R&D of Fine Chemicals of Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, PR China.
| | - Peng He
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Center for R&D of Fine Chemicals of Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, PR China.
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Lucena-Leandro VS, Abreu EFA, Vidal LA, Torres CR, Junqueira CICVF, Dantas J, Albuquerque ÉVS. Current Scenario of Exogenously Induced RNAi for Lepidopteran Agricultural Pest Control: From dsRNA Design to Topical Application. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232415836. [PMID: 36555476 PMCID: PMC9785151 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232415836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Invasive insects cost the global economy around USD 70 billion per year. Moreover, increasing agricultural insect pests raise concerns about global food security constraining and infestation rising after climate changes. Current agricultural pest management largely relies on plant breeding-with or without transgenes-and chemical pesticides. Both approaches face serious technological obsolescence in the field due to plant resistance breakdown or development of insecticide resistance. The need for new modes of action (MoA) for managing crop health is growing each year, driven by market demands to reduce economic losses and by consumer demand for phytosanitary measures. The disabling of pest genes through sequence-specific expression silencing is a promising tool in the development of environmentally-friendly and safe biopesticides. The specificity conferred by long dsRNA-base solutions helps minimize effects on off-target genes in the insect pest genome and the target gene in non-target organisms (NTOs). In this review, we summarize the status of gene silencing by RNA interference (RNAi) for agricultural control. More specifically, we focus on the engineering, development and application of gene silencing to control Lepidoptera through non-transforming dsRNA technologies. Despite some delivery and stability drawbacks of topical applications, we reviewed works showing convincing proof-of-concept results that point to innovative solutions. Considerations about the regulation of the ongoing research on dsRNA-based pesticides to produce commercialized products for exogenous application are discussed. Academic and industry initiatives have revealed a worthy effort to control Lepidoptera pests with this new mode of action, which provides more sustainable and reliable technologies for field management. New data on the genomics of this taxon may contribute to a future customized target gene portfolio. As a case study, we illustrate how dsRNA and associated methodologies could be applied to control an important lepidopteran coffee pest.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Leonardo A. Vidal
- Embrapa Recursos Genéticos e Biotecnologia, Brasília 70770-917, DF, Brazil
- Department of Cellular Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Campus Darcy Ribeiro, Universidade de Brasília—UnB, Brasília 70910-9002, DF, Brazil
| | - Caroline R. Torres
- Embrapa Recursos Genéticos e Biotecnologia, Brasília 70770-917, DF, Brazil
- Department of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine, Campus Darcy Ribeiro, Universidade de Brasília—UnB, Brasília 70910-9002, DF, Brazil
| | - Camila I. C. V. F. Junqueira
- Embrapa Recursos Genéticos e Biotecnologia, Brasília 70770-917, DF, Brazil
- Department of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine, Campus Darcy Ribeiro, Universidade de Brasília—UnB, Brasília 70910-9002, DF, Brazil
| | - Juliana Dantas
- Embrapa Recursos Genéticos e Biotecnologia, Brasília 70770-917, DF, Brazil
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