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Bonina V, Arpaia S. The use of RNA interference for the management of arthropod pests in livestock farms. MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY 2023; 37:631-646. [PMID: 37401856 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023]
Abstract
Pest management in farm animals is an important action to contain economic damage to livestock production and prevent transmission of severe diseases to the stock. The use of chemical insecticides is still the most common approach followed by farmers; however, avoiding possible toxic effects on animals is a fundamental task for pest control measures compatible with animal well-being. Moreover, legal constraints and insurgence of resistance by target species to the available insecticidal compounds are increasingly complicating farmers' operations. Alternatives to chemical pesticides have been explored with some promising results in the area of biological control or the use of natural products as sprays. The application of RNA interference techniques has enabled the production of new means of pest control in agriculture, and it is opening a promising avenue for controlling arthropod pests of livestock. Transcript depletion of specific target genes of the recipient organisms is based on the action of double-strand RNAs (dsRNA) capable of impairing the production of fundamental proteins. Their mode of action, based on the specific recognition of short genomic sequences, is expected to be highly selective towards non-target organisms potentially exposed; in addition, there are physical and chemical barriers to dsRNA uptake by mammalian cells that render these products practically innocuous for higher animals. Summarising existing literature on gene silencing for main taxa of arthropod pests of livestock (Acarina, Diptera, Blattoidea), this review explores the perspectives of practical applications of dsRNA-based pesticides against the main pests of farm animals. Knowledge gaps are summarised to stimulate additional research in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Bonina
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, Università degli Studi di Napoli "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Salvatore Arpaia
- ENEA, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development, TERIN-BBC Research Centre Trisaia, Rotondella, Matera, Italy
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Nganso BT, Pines G, Soroker V. Insights into gene manipulation techniques for Acari functional genomics. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2022; 143:103705. [PMID: 35134533 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2021.103705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Revised: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Functional genomics is an essential tool for elucidating the structure and function of genes in any living organism. Here, we review the use of different gene manipulation techniques in functional genomics of Acari (mites and ticks). Some of these Acari species inflict severe economic losses to managed crops and health problems to humans, wild and domestic animals, but many also provide important ecosystem services worldwide. Currently, RNA interference (RNAi) is the leading gene expression manipulation tool followed by gene editing via the bacterial type II Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats and associated protein 9 system (CRISPR-Cas9). Whilst RNAi, via siRNA, does not always lead to expected outcomes, the exploitations of the CRISPR systems in Acari are still in their infancy and are limited only to CRISP/Cas9 to date. In this review, we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of RNAi and CRISPR-Cas9 and the technical challenges associated with their exploitations. We also compare the biochemical machinery of RNAi and CRISPR-Cas9 technologies. We highlight some potential solutions for experimental optimization of each mechanism in gene function studies. The potential benefits of adopting various CRISPR-Cas9 systems for expanding on functional genomics experiments in Acari are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatrice T Nganso
- Department of Entomology, Chemistry and Nematology, Institute of Plant Protection, Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Centre, Rishon LeZion, Israel.
| | - Gur Pines
- Department of Entomology, Chemistry and Nematology, Institute of Plant Protection, Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Centre, Rishon LeZion, Israel.
| | - Victoria Soroker
- Department of Entomology, Chemistry and Nematology, Institute of Plant Protection, Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Centre, Rishon LeZion, Israel.
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Fernando DD, Korhonen PK, Gasser RB, Fischer K. An RNA Interference Tool to Silence Genes in Sarcoptes scabiei Eggs. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23020873. [PMID: 35055058 PMCID: PMC8777771 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23020873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
In a quest for new interventions against scabies-a highly significant skin disease of mammals, caused by a parasitic mite Sarcoptes scabiei-we are focusing on finding new intervention targets. RNA interference (RNAi) could be an efficient functional genomics approach to identify such targets. The RNAi pathway is present in S. scabiei and operational in the female adult mite, but other developmental stages have not been assessed. Identifying potential intervention targets in the egg stage is particularly important because current treatments do not kill this latter stage. Here, we established an RNAi tool to silence single-copy genes in S. scabiei eggs. Using sodium hypochlorite pre-treatment, we succeeded in rendering the eggshell permeable to dsRNA without affecting larval hatching. We optimised the treatment of eggs with gene-specific dsRNAs to three single-copy target genes (designated Ss-Cof, Ss-Ddp, and Ss-Nan) which significantly and repeatedly suppressed transcription by ~66.6%, 74.3%, and 84.1%, respectively. Although no phenotypic alterations were detected in dsRNA-treated eggs for Ss-Cof and Ss-Nan, the silencing of Ss-Ddp resulted in a 38% reduction of larval hatching. This RNAi method is expected to provide a useful tool for larger-scale functional genomic investigations for the identification of essential genes as potential drug targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepani D. Fernando
- Infectious Diseases Program, Cell and Molecular Biology Department, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD 4006, Australia;
| | - Pasi K. Korhonen
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; (P.K.K.); (R.B.G.)
| | - Robin B. Gasser
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; (P.K.K.); (R.B.G.)
| | - Katja Fischer
- Infectious Diseases Program, Cell and Molecular Biology Department, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD 4006, Australia;
- Correspondence:
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Chen W, Bartley K, Nunn F, Bowman AS, Sternberg JM, Burgess STG, Nisbet AJ, Price DRG. RNAi gene knockdown in the poultry red mite, Dermanyssus gallinae (De Geer 1778), a tool for functional genomics. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:57. [PMID: 33461614 PMCID: PMC7813172 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04562-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The avian haematophagous ectoparasite Dermanyssus gallinae, commonly known as the poultry red mite, causes significant economic losses to the egg-laying industry worldwide and also represents a significant welfare threat. Current acaricide-based controls are unsustainable due to the mite’s ability to rapidly develop resistance, thus developing a novel sustainable means of control for D. gallinae is a priority. RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated gene silencing is a valuable tool for studying gene function in non-model organisms, but is also emerging as a novel tool for parasite control. Methods Here we use an in silico approach to identify core RNAi pathway genes in the recently sequenced D. gallinae genome. In addition we utilise an in vitro feeding device to deliver double-stranded (ds) RNA to D. gallinae targeting the D. gallinae vATPase subunit A (Dg vATPase A) gene and monitor gene knockdown using quantitative PCR (qPCR). Results Core components of the small interfering RNA (siRNA) and microRNA (miRNA) pathways were identified in D. gallinae, which indicates that these gene silencing pathways are likely functional. Strikingly, the P-element-induced wimpy testis (PIWI)-interacting RNA (piRNA) pathway was absent in D. gallinae. In addition, feeding Dg vATPase A dsRNA to adult female D. gallinae resulted in silencing of the targeted gene compared to control mites fed non-specific lacZ dsRNA. In D. gallinae, dsRNA-mediated gene knockdown was rapid, being detectable 24 h after oral delivery of the dsRNA, and persisted for at least 120 h. Conclusions This study shows the presence of core RNAi machinery components in the D. gallinae genome. In addition, we have developed a robust RNAi methodology for targeting genes in D. gallinae that will be of value for studying genes of unknown function and validating potential control targets in D. gallinae. ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Wan Chen
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentland Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik, Midlothian, EH26 0PZ, UK.,Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB24 3FX, UK
| | - Kathryn Bartley
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentland Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik, Midlothian, EH26 0PZ, UK
| | - Francesca Nunn
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentland Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik, Midlothian, EH26 0PZ, UK
| | - Alan S Bowman
- Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB24 3FX, UK
| | - Jeremy M Sternberg
- Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB24 3FX, UK
| | - Stewart T G Burgess
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentland Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik, Midlothian, EH26 0PZ, UK
| | - Alasdair J Nisbet
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentland Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik, Midlothian, EH26 0PZ, UK
| | - Daniel R G Price
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentland Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik, Midlothian, EH26 0PZ, UK.
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Nganso BT, Sela N, Soroker V. A genome-wide screening for RNAi pathway proteins in Acari. BMC Genomics 2020; 21:791. [PMID: 33183236 PMCID: PMC7659050 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-020-07162-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND RNA interference (RNAi) is a highly conserved, sequence-specific gene silencing mechanism present in Eukaryotes. Three RNAi pathways are known, namely micro-RNA (miRNA), piwi-interacting RNA (piRNA) and short interfering RNA (siRNA). However, little knowledge exists about the proteins involved in these pathways in Acari. Moreover, variable successes has been obtained in gene knockdown via siRNA pathway in their functional genomics and management. We hypothesized that the clue may be in the variability of the composition and the efficacy of siRNA machinery among Acari. RESULTS Both comparative genomic analyses and domain annotation suggest that all the analyzed species have homologs of putative core proteins that mediate cleaving of targeted genes via the three RNAi pathways. We identified putative homologs of Caenorhabditis elegans RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP) protein in all species though no secondary Argonaute homologs that operate with this protein in siRNA amplification mechanism were found, suggesting that the siRNA amplification mechanism present in Acari may be distinct from that described in C. elegans. Moreover, the genomes of these species do not encode homologs of C. elegans systemic RNAi defective-1 (Sid-1) protein that mediate silencing of the mRNA target throughout the treated organisms suggesting that the phenomena of systemic RNAi that has been reported in some Acari species probably occur through a different mechanism. However, homologs of putative RNAi spreading defective-3 (Rsd-3) protein and scavenger receptors namely Eater and SR-CI that mediate endocytosis cellular update of dsRNA in C. elegans and Drosophila melanogaster were found in Acari genomes. This result suggests that cellular dsRNA uptake in Acari is endocytosis-dependent. Detailed phylogenetic analyses of core RNAi pathway proteins in the studied species revealed that their evolution is compatible with the proposed monophyletic evolution of this group. CONCLUSIONS Our analyses have revealed the potential activity of all three pathways in Acari. Still, much experimental work remains to be done to confirm the mechanisms behind these pathways in particular those that govern systemic/parental RNAi and siRNA amplification in Acari. Disclosure of these mechanisms will facilitate the development of new and specific management tools for the harmful species and enrichment of the beneficial species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatrice T Nganso
- Institute of Plant Protection, Agricultural Research Organization, the Volcani Center, P.O.B 15159, 7505101, Rishon leZion, Israel
| | - Noa Sela
- Institute of Plant Protection, Agricultural Research Organization, the Volcani Center, P.O.B 15159, 7505101, Rishon leZion, Israel
| | - Victoria Soroker
- Institute of Plant Protection, Agricultural Research Organization, the Volcani Center, P.O.B 15159, 7505101, Rishon leZion, Israel.
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Burgess STG, Nunn F, Bartley K, Frew D, McLean K, Inglis NF, McGeachy K, Taliansky ME, Love AJ, Nisbet AJ. Psoroptes ovis-Early Immunoreactive Protein (Pso-EIP-1) a novel diagnostic antigen for sheep scab. Parasite Immunol 2020; 42:e12788. [PMID: 32854149 DOI: 10.1111/pim.12788] [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: 03/10/2020] [Revised: 08/12/2020] [Accepted: 08/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Serodiagnosis of sheep scab is an established diagnostic method and has become popular in recent years. However, the current diagnostic antigen, Pso o 2, has shown promise as a component of a recombinant vaccine for scab, making it incompatible with discriminating between infected and vaccinated animals (DIVA). Here, we describe the discovery and characterization of a novel Psoroptes ovis immunodiagnostic antigen, P. ovis-Early Immunoreactive Protein-1 (Pso-EIP-1). METHODS AND RESULTS Pso-EIP-1 is a highly abundant member of a six-gene family with no known homologs, indicating its potential uniqueness to P. ovis. Expression of recombinant Pso-EIP-1 (rPso-EIP-1) required a C-terminal fusion protein for stability and specific IgG immunoreactivity against rPso-EIP-1 was observed in sheep serum from 1 to 2 weeks post-infestation, indicating its highly immunogenic nature. Two of the three in silico-predicted B-cell epitopes of Pso-EIP-1 were confirmed by in vitro epitope mapping and, in a direct comparison by ELISA, Pso-EIP-1 performed to the same levels as Pso o 2 in terms of sensitivity, specificity and ability to diagnose P. ovis on sheep within 2 weeks of infestation. CONCLUSION Pso-EIP-1 represents a novel diagnostic antigen for sheep scab with comparable levels of sensitivity and specificity to the existing Pso o 2 antigen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stewart T G Burgess
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Francesca Nunn
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Kath Bartley
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Edinburgh, UK
| | - David Frew
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Kevin McLean
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Neil F Inglis
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Edinburgh, UK
| | | | - Michael E Taliansky
- The James Hutton Institute, Invergowrie, UK.,Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Andrew J Nisbet
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Edinburgh, UK
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Wei S, Levy B, Hoffman N, Cujar C, Rodney-Sandy R, Wapner R, D'Alton M, Williams Z. A rapid and simple bead-bashing-based method for genomic DNA extraction from mammalian tissue. Biotechniques 2020; 68:240-244. [PMID: 32054310 PMCID: PMC7252492 DOI: 10.2144/btn-2019-0172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2019] [Accepted: 01/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Conventional genomic DNA (gDNA) extraction methods can take hours to complete, may require fume hoods and represent the most time-consuming step in many gDNA-based molecular assays. We systematically optimized a bead bashing-based (BBB) approach for rapid gDNA extraction without the need for a fume hood. Human tissue specimens (n = 34) subjected to the 12-min BBB method yielded 0.40 ± 0.17 (mean ± SD) μg of gDNA per milligram of tissue, sufficient for many downstream applications, and 3- and 6-min extensions resulted in an additional 0.43 ± 0.23 μg and 0.48 ± 0.43 μg per milligram of tissue, respectively. The BBB method provides a simple and rapid method for gDNA extraction from mammalian tissue that is applicable to time-sensitive clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shan Wei
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Brynn Levy
- Department of Pathology & Cell Biology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Clinical Cytogenetics Laboratory, Columbia University Medical Center & the New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Nataly Hoffman
- Clinical Cytogenetics Laboratory, Columbia University Medical Center & the New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Claudia Cujar
- Department of Pathology & Cell Biology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Reunet Rodney-Sandy
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Ronald Wapner
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Mary D'Alton
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Zev Williams
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
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