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Ross SJ, Owen GR, Hough J, Philips A, Maddelein W, Ray J, Kilby PM, Dickman MJ. Optimizing the production of dsRNA biocontrols in microbial systems using multiple transcriptional terminators. Biotechnol Bioeng 2024. [PMID: 39030834 DOI: 10.1002/bit.28805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2024] [Revised: 06/26/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/22/2024]
Abstract
Crop pests and pathogens annually cause over $220 billion in global crop damage, with insects consuming 5%-20% of major grain crops. Current crop pest and disease control strategies rely on insecticidal and fungicidal sprays, plant genetic resistance, transgenes, and agricultural practices. Double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) is emerging as a novel sustainable method of plant protection as an alternative to traditional chemical pesticides. Successful commercialization of dsRNA-based biocontrols requires the economical production of large quantities of dsRNA combined with suitable delivery methods to ensure RNAi efficacy against the target pest. In this study, we have optimized the design of plasmid DNA constructs to produce dsRNA biocontrols in Escherichia coli, by employing a wide range of alternative synthetic transcriptional terminators before measurement of dsRNA yield. We demonstrate that a 7.8-fold increase of dsRNA was achieved using triple synthetic transcriptional terminators within a dual T7 dsRNA production system compared to the absence of transcriptional terminators. Moreover, our data demonstrate that batch fermentation production dsRNA using multiple transcriptional terminators is scalable and generates significantly higher yields of dsRNA generated in the absence of transcriptional terminators at both small-scale batch culture and large-scale fermentation. In addition, we show that application of these dsRNA biocontrols expressed in E. coli cells results in increased insect mortality. Finally, novel mass spectrometry analysis was performed to determine the precise sites of transcriptional termination at the different transcriptional terminators providing important further mechanistic insight.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian J Ross
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Gareth R Owen
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - James Hough
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | | | | | - John Ray
- Syngenta, Jealott's Hill International Research Centre , Bracknell, Berkshire, UK
| | - Peter M Kilby
- Syngenta, Jealott's Hill International Research Centre , Bracknell, Berkshire, UK
| | - Mark J Dickman
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
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2
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Gao H, Tian Y, Zhang H, Li Y, Li C, Li B. Species-specific duplicated FMRFaR-like gene A62 regulates spontaneous locomotion in Apolygus lucorum. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2024; 80:3358-3368. [PMID: 38385791 DOI: 10.1002/ps.8039] [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: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Apolygus lucorum, a major cotton pest, has undergone a significant expansion of the FMRFaR gene within the GPCR superfamily, resulting in two classes of GPCR, namely FMRFaR (A54-55) and newly duplicated FMRFaR-like (A56-62). Notably, FMRFaR-like genes, particularly A62, show enhanced expression in the legs and wings of adults, indicating their potential role in locomotion. Employing A62 as a representative of FMRFaR-like, our study investigates the influence of FMRFa, FMRFaR, and FMRFaR-like on locomotion and development of A. lucorum. RESULTS FMRFaR and FMRFa exhibit comparable temporal and tissue expression patterns, whereas the FMRFaR-like genes within A. lucorum exhibit completely distinct evolutionary and expression patterns compared to classical FMRFaR. RNA interference (RNAi) experiments revealed that suppressing FMRFa expression results in complete lethality in A. lucorum, but neither FMRFaR nor A62 exhibit the same effect after RNAi. Suppressing the expression of FMRFa only decreases the expression of the A54 gene simultaneously, suggesting that A54 may function as a classical FMRFaR activated by FMRFa. RNAi of A62 leads to wing malformation and a significant reduction in spontaneous movement behavior in A. lucorum. Further transcriptomic analysis revealed that A62 affects the A. lucorum's movement behavior through energy metabolism pathways and motor protein pathways. CONCLUSION Our study unveils the unique and complex roles of FMRFa and its receptor in A. lucorum. These findings provide valuable insights into potential targets for pest control strategies aimed at managing A. lucorum populations in cotton fields. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Gao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ying Tian
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hui Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yanxiao Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chenjun Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Bin Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
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Zhang C, Wei G, Wu L, Zhang Y, Zhu X, Merchant A, Zhou X, Liu X, Li X. Utilizing Star Polycation Nanocarrier for the Delivery of miR-184 Agomir and Its Impact on the Life History Traits of the English Grain Aphid, Sitobion avenae. INSECTS 2024; 15:459. [PMID: 38921173 PMCID: PMC11203962 DOI: 10.3390/insects15060459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2024] [Revised: 06/15/2024] [Accepted: 06/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
The investigation of genetics-based biopesticides has become a central focus in pesticide studies due to their inherent advantages, including species specificity, environmental safety, and a wide range of target genes. In this study, a mixture of miR-184 agomir and nanomaterial star polycation (SPc) was used to treat the nymphs of the English grain aphid, Sitobion avenae (F.). The life parameters of the aphids at various developmental stages were analyzed using an age-stage two-sex life table to assess the effect of miR-184 agomir on the experimental population. The results indicated that miR-184 agomir had a significant negative effect on four key life parameters, including the intrinsic rate of increase, the finite rate of increase, the net rate of increase, and the mean generation time. The population prediction revealed a substantial reduction (91.81% and 95.88%) in the population size of S. avenae at 60 d after treatment with miR-184 agomir, compared to the control groups. Our findings suggest that the miR-184 agomir has the potential to reduce the survival rate and mean longevity of S. avenae, highlighting its potential as a promising candidate for the development of an effective genetics-based biopesticide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cong Zhang
- College of Plant Protection, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China;
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; (G.W.); (L.W.); (Y.Z.); (X.Z.)
| | - Guohua Wei
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; (G.W.); (L.W.); (Y.Z.); (X.Z.)
| | - Linyuan Wu
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; (G.W.); (L.W.); (Y.Z.); (X.Z.)
| | - Yunhui Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; (G.W.); (L.W.); (Y.Z.); (X.Z.)
| | - Xun Zhu
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; (G.W.); (L.W.); (Y.Z.); (X.Z.)
| | - Austin Merchant
- Department of Entomology, Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546, USA;
| | - Xuguo Zhou
- Department of Entomology, School of Integrative Biology, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA;
| | - Xiangying Liu
- College of Plant Protection, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China;
| | - Xiangrui Li
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; (G.W.); (L.W.); (Y.Z.); (X.Z.)
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4
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Han S, Akhtar MR, Xia X. Functions and regulations of insect gut bacteria. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2024. [PMID: 38884497 DOI: 10.1002/ps.8261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2024] [Revised: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
The insect gut is a complicated ecosystem that inhabits a large number of symbiotic bacteria. As an important organ of the host insect, the symbiotic bacteria of the insect gut play very important roles in regulating physiological and metabolic processes. Recently, much progress has been made in the study of symbiotic bacteria in insect guts with the development of high-throughput sequencing technology and molecular biology. This review summarizes the primary functions of symbiotic bacteria in insect guts, such as enhancing insecticide resistance, facilitating food digestion, promoting detoxification, and regulating mating behavior and egg hatching. It also addresses some possible pathways of gut bacteria symbiont regulation governed by external habitats, physiological conditions and immunity of the host insect. This review provides solid foundations for further studies on novel theories, new technologies and practical applications of symbiotic bacteria in insect guts. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuncai Han
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Institute of Applied Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of the People's Republic of China, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control, Ministry of Education, Fuzhou, China
- Youxi-Yangzhong Vegetable Pest Prevention and Control, Fujian Observation and Research Station, Fuzhou, China
| | - Muhammad Rehan Akhtar
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Institute of Applied Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of the People's Republic of China, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control, Ministry of Education, Fuzhou, China
- Youxi-Yangzhong Vegetable Pest Prevention and Control, Fujian Observation and Research Station, Fuzhou, China
| | - Xiaofeng Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Institute of Applied Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management for Fujian-Taiwan Crops, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of the People's Republic of China, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control, Ministry of Education, Fuzhou, China
- Youxi-Yangzhong Vegetable Pest Prevention and Control, Fujian Observation and Research Station, Fuzhou, China
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Ma YF, Zhao YQ, Zhou YY, Feng HY, Gong LL, Zhang MQ, Hull JJ, Dewer Y, Roy A, Smagghe G, He M, He P. Nanoparticle-delivered RNAi-based pesticide target screening for the rice pest white-backed planthopper and risk assessment for a natural predator. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 926:171286. [PMID: 38428617 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171286] [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: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 02/24/2024] [Accepted: 02/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
Vacuolar-type (H+)-ATPase (vATPase) is a conserved multi-subunit eukaryotic enzyme composed of 14 subunits that form a functional complex consisting of an ATP-hydrolytic domain (V1) and a proton-translocation domain (V0). ATP hydrolysis and subsequent H+ translocation rely heavily on a fully assembled V1/V0 complex. Since vATPase is crucial for insect survival, it is a viable molecular target for pest control. However, detailed functional analyses of the 14 subunits and their suitability for pest control have not been fully explored in a single insect species. In this study, we identified 22 vATPase subunit transcripts that correspond to 13 subunits (A1, A2, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, a1, a2, c and d) in the white-backed planthopper (WBPH), Sogatella furcifera, a major hemipteran pest of rice. RNAi screens using microinjection and spray-based methods revealed that the SfVHA-F, SfVHA-a2 and SfVHA-c2 subunits are critical. Furthermore, star polymer (SPc) nanoparticles were utilized to conduct spray-induced and nanoparticle-delivered gene silencing (SI-NDGS) to evaluate the pest control efficacy of RNAi targeting the SfVHA-F, SfVHA-a2 and SfVHA-c2 transcripts. Target mRNA levels and vATPase enzymatic activity were both reduced. Honeydew excreta was likewise reduced in WBPH treated with dsRNAs targeting SfVHA-F, SfVHA-a2 and SfVHA-c2. To assess the environmental safety of the nanoparticle-wrapped dsRNAs, Cyrtorhinus lividipennis Reuter, a major natural enemy of planthoppers, was also sprayed with dsRNAs targeting SfVHA-F, SfVHA-a2 and SfVHA-c2. Post-spray effects of dsSfVHA-a2 and dsSfVHA-c2 on C. lividipennis were innocuous. This study identifies SfVHA-a2 and SfVHA-c2 as promising targets for biorational control of WBPH and lays the foundation for developing environment-friendly RNAi biopesticides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun-Feng Ma
- State 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
| | - Ya-Qin Zhao
- State 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
| | - Yang-Yuntao Zhou
- State 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
| | - Hong-Yan Feng
- State 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
- State 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
- State 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
| | - J Joe Hull
- Pest Management and Biocontrol Research Unit, US Arid Land Agricultural Research Center, USDA Agricultural Research Services, Maricopa, AZ 85138, USA
| | - Youssef Dewer
- Phytotoxicity Research Department, Central Agricultural Pesticide Laboratory, Agricultural Research Center, 7 Nadi El-Seid Street, Dokki, 12618 Giza, Egypt
| | - Amit Roy
- Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, 165 00 Praha, Czech Republic
| | - Guy Smagghe
- Institute Entomology, Guizhou University, Huaxi District, Guiyang 550025, PR China; Department of Plants and Crops, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; Department of Biology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), 1050 Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Ming He
- State 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
- State 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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6
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Motorina DM, Galimova YA, Battulina NV, Omelina ES. Systems for Targeted Silencing of Gene Expression and Their Application in Plants and Animals. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5231. [PMID: 38791270 PMCID: PMC11121118 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25105231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2024] [Revised: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
At present, there are a variety of different approaches to the targeted regulation of gene expression. However, most approaches are devoted to the activation of gene transcription, and the methods for gene silencing are much fewer in number. In this review, we describe the main systems used for the targeted suppression of gene expression (including RNA interference (RNAi), chimeric transcription factors, chimeric zinc finger proteins, transcription activator-like effectors (TALEs)-based repressors, optogenetic tools, and CRISPR/Cas-based repressors) and their application in eukaryotes-plants and animals. We consider the advantages and disadvantages of each approach, compare their effectiveness, and discuss the peculiarities of their usage in plant and animal organisms. This review will be useful for researchers in the field of gene transcription suppression and will allow them to choose the optimal method for suppressing the expression of the gene of interest depending on the research object.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Evgeniya S. Omelina
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
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7
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Yang J, Zhang Y, Zhang Z, Ren M, Wang Y, Duan Y, Gao Y, Liu Z, Zhang P, Fan R, Zhou X. The development of an egg-soaking method for delivering dsRNAs into spider mites. PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 201:105905. [PMID: 38685227 DOI: 10.1016/j.pestbp.2024.105905] [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: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Recently, the first sprayable RNAi biopesticide, Ledprona, against the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata, has been registered at the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Spider mites (Acari: Tetranychidae), a group of destructive agricultural and horticultural pests, are notorious for rapid development of insecticide/acaricide resistance. The management options, on the other hand, are extremely limited. RNAi-based biopesticides offer a promising control alternative to address this emerging issue. In this study, we i) developed an egg-soaking dsRNA delivery method; ii) evaluated the factors influencing RNAi efficiency, and finally iii) investigated the potential mode of entry of this newly developed egg-soaking RNAi method. In comparison to other dsRNA delivery methods, egg-soaking method was the most efficient, convenient/practical, and cost-effective method for delivering dsRNAs into spider mites. RNAi efficiency of this RNAi method was affected by target genes, dsRNA concentration, developmental stages, and mite species. In general, the hawthorn spider mite, Amphitetranychus viennensis, is more sensitive to RNAi than the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae, and both of them have dose-dependent RNAi effect. For different life stages, egg and larvae are the most sensitive life stages to dsRNAs. For different target genes, there is no apparent association between the suppression level and the resultant phenotype. Finally, we demonstrated that this egg-soaking RNAi method acts as both stomach and contact toxicity. Our combined results demonstrate the effectiveness of a topically applied dsRNA delivery method, and the potential of a spray induced gene silencing (SIGS) method as a control alternative for spider mites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Yang
- College of Plant Protection, Shanxi Agricultural University, Shanxi Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management in Agriculture, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China.
| | - Yuying Zhang
- College of Plant Protection, Shanxi Agricultural University, Shanxi Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management in Agriculture, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - Zhonghuan Zhang
- College of Plant Protection, Shanxi Agricultural University, Shanxi Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management in Agriculture, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - Meifeng Ren
- College of Plant Protection, Shanxi Agricultural University, Shanxi Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management in Agriculture, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - Yifei Wang
- College of Plant Protection, Shanxi Agricultural University, Shanxi Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management in Agriculture, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - Yuanpeng Duan
- College of Plant Protection, Shanxi Agricultural University, Shanxi Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management in Agriculture, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - Yue Gao
- College of Plant Protection, Shanxi Agricultural University, Shanxi Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management in Agriculture, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - Zhongfang Liu
- College of Plant Protection, Shanxi Agricultural University, Shanxi Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management in Agriculture, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - Pengjiu Zhang
- College of Plant Protection, Shanxi Agricultural University, Shanxi Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management in Agriculture, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - Renjun Fan
- College of Plant Protection, Shanxi Agricultural University, Shanxi Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management in Agriculture, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - Xuguo Zhou
- Department of Entomology, School of Integrative Biology, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA..
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Ma YF, Liu TT, Zhao YQ, Luo J, Feng HY, Zhou YY, Gong LL, Zhang MQ, He YY, Hull JJ, Dewer Y, He M, He P. RNA Interference-Screening of Potentially Lethal Gene Targets in the White-Backed Planthopper Sogatella furcifera via a Spray-Induced and Nanocarrier-Delivered Gene Silencing System. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2024; 72:1007-1016. [PMID: 38166405 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.3c05659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2024]
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi) is a widespread post-transcriptional silencing mechanism that targets homologous mRNA sequences for specific degradation. An RNAi-based pest management strategy is target-specific and considered a sustainable biopesticide. However, the specific genes targeted and the efficiency of the delivery methods can vary widely across species. In this study, a spray-induced and nanocarrier-delivered gene silencing (SI-NDGS) system that incorporated gene-specific dsRNAs targeting conserved genes was used to evaluate phenotypic effects in white-backed planthopper (WBPH). At 2 days postspraying, transcript levels for all target genes were significantly reduced and knockdown of two gene orthologs, hsc70-3 and PP-α, resulted in an elevated mortality (>60%) and impaired ecdysis. These results highlight the utility of the SI-NDGS system for identifying genes involved in WBPH growth and development that could be potentially exploitable as high mortality target genes to develop an alternative method for WBPH control.
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Affiliation(s)
- 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, P. R. China
| | - Ting-Ting Liu
- Qianxinan Agricultural Technology Extension Center, Xingyi 562404, P. R. China
| | - Ya-Qin Zhao
- 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, P. R. China
| | - Juan Luo
- 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, P. R. China
| | - Hong-Yan Feng
- 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, P. R. China
| | - Yang-Yuntao Zhou
- 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, P. R. 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, P. R. 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, P. R. China
| | - Yin-Yin 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, P. R. China
| | - J Joe Hull
- USDA-ARS Arid Land Agricultural Research Center, Maricopa, Arizona 20250,United States
| | - Youssef Dewer
- Phytotoxicity Research Department, Central Agricultural Pesticide Laboratory, Agricultural Research Center, 7 Nadi El-Seid Street, Dokki 12618, Giza, Egypt
| | - 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, P. R. 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, P. R. China
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9
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Ibanez F, Vieira Rocha S, Dawson WO, El-Mohtar C, Robertson C, Stelinski LL, Soares-Costa A. Gene silencing of cathepsins B and L using CTV-based, plant-mediated RNAi interferes with ovarial development in Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), Diaphorina citri. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1219319. [PMID: 37841623 PMCID: PMC10570424 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1219319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae) is a vector of the bacteria Candidatus Liberibacter americanus (CLam) and Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas), which are phloem-restricted and associated with the most important and destructive worldwide citrus disease, Huanglongbing (HLB). Currently, no cure for HLB has been described. Therefore, measures have focused on reducing D. citri populations. In these insects, cathepsin B (DCcathB) and L (DCcathL) enzymes play an important role in digestion, and are involved in embryogenesis, immune defense, and ecdysis. In this study, we used a CTV-based vector to deliver dsRNA (CTV-dsRNA) into Citrus macrophylla plants targeting DCcathB and DCcathL genes in D. citri that fed on the phloem of these CTV-RNAi infected plants. Subsequently, we evaluated expression of DCcathB and DCcathL genes as well as the Vitellogenin (Vg) gene by RT-qPCR in D. citri fed on CTV-dsRNA occurring in plant phloem. It was found that a defective phenotype in D. citri females as a result of knockdown of DCcathB and DCcathL genes mediated by CTV dsRNA. These results showed that Psyllids fed on plants treated with the CTV-dsRNA exhibited downregulation of the Vg gene, one of the most important genes associated with embryogenic and female development, which was associated with dsRNA-mediated silencing of the two cathepsin genes. Based on our findings, a CTV-based strategy for delivering RNAi via plants that targets DCcathB and DCcathL genes may represent a suitable avenue for development of dsRNA-based tools to manage D. citri that limits the spread of HLB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Freddy Ibanez
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Weslaco, TX, ;United States
| | - Sâmara Vieira Rocha
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, SP, ;Brazil
| | - William O. Dawson
- Plant Pathology Department, Citrus Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Lake Alfred, FL, ;United States
| | - Choaa El-Mohtar
- Plant Pathology Department, Citrus Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Lake Alfred, FL, ;United States
| | - Cecile Robertson
- Plant Pathology Department, Citrus Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Lake Alfred, FL, ;United States
| | - Lukasz L. Stelinski
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, Citrus Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Lake Alfred, FL, ;United States
| | - Andrea Soares-Costa
- Plant Pathology Department, Citrus Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Lake Alfred, FL, ;United States
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10
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Zhang Y, Zhang S, Xu L. The pivotal roles of gut microbiota in insect plant interactions for sustainable pest management. NPJ Biofilms Microbiomes 2023; 9:66. [PMID: 37735530 PMCID: PMC10514296 DOI: 10.1038/s41522-023-00435-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The gut microbiota serves as a critical "organ" in the life cycle of animals, particularly in the intricate interplay between herbivorous pests and plants. This review summarizes the pivotal functions of the gut microbiota in mediating the insect-plant interactions, encompassing their influence on host insects, modulation of plant physiology, and regulation of the third trophic level species within the ecological network. Given these significant functions, it is plausible to harness these interactions and their underlying mechanisms to develop novel eco-friendly pest control strategies. In this context, we also outline some emerging pest control methods based on the intestinal microbiota or bacteria-mediated interactions, such as symbiont-mediated RNAi and paratransgenesis, albeit these are still in their nascent stages and confront numerous challenges. Overall, both opportunities and challenges coexist in the exploration of the intestinal microbiota-mediated interactions between insect pests and plants, which will not only enrich the fundamental knowledge of plant-insect interactions but also facilitate the development of sustainable pest control strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, 430062, Wuhan, China
| | - Shouke Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Zhejiang A & F University, 311300, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Letian Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, 430062, Wuhan, China.
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Wang X, Liu L, Guo S, Liu B, Zhai Y, Yan S, Shen J, Ullah F, Li Z. Tweedle gene family of Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) larva enhances the basal tolerance to cold and hypoxia. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2023; 79:3012-3021. [PMID: 36966456 DOI: 10.1002/ps.7476] [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: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) is considered a quarantine pest in the A2 list because it causes serious infection and huge economic losses. Cold and controlled atmosphere treatments have been used to control immature stage pests in fresh fruits. Herein, the basal tolerance response of D. suzukii egg, larva and pupa to cold and hypoxia stress were studied, and underlying transcriptome mechanisms in the larva were pinpointed. RESULTS The third instar was more tolerant than 12-h-old egg and 8-day-old pupa when treated at 3 °C + 1% O2 for 7 days, with 34.00% ± 5.22% larval survival. Hypoxia influenced the effect of cold treatment on D. suzukii. Larval survival decreased at 3 °C + 1% O2 , but increased at 0 °C + 1% O2 . Survival increased with temperature between 0 and 5 °C + 1% O2 , but decreased significantly at 25 °C + 1% O2 . RNA-sequencing results showed that the Tweedle (Twdl) family was upregulated and uniquely enriched in larvae treated at 3 °C + 1% O2 . In addition, RNA interference-mediated silencing of a key Twdl gene reduced the survival rate after cold and hypoxia treatment. CONCLUSION Hypoxia was able to influence the effect of cold treatment on the survival of D. suzukii positively or negatively. Structural constituents of the chitin-based cuticle, in particular Twdl genes, body morphogenesis, and ATP synthesis-coupled proton transport were involved in the tolerance to cold and hypoxia. In future, the Twdl gene could be used as a nanocarrier delivering RNA pesticides to control D. suzukii in the field and so prevent its worldwide spread. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxue Wang
- Department of Plant Biosecurity, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Surveillance and Management for Plant Quarantine Pests, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Lijun Liu
- Department of Plant Biosecurity, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Surveillance and Management for Plant Quarantine Pests, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Shaokun Guo
- Department of Plant Biosecurity, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Surveillance and Management for Plant Quarantine Pests, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Bo Liu
- Institute of Equipment Technology, Chinese Academy of Inspection and Quarantine, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Yifan Zhai
- Institute of Plant Protection, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan, P. R. China
| | - Shuo Yan
- Department of Plant Biosecurity, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Surveillance and Management for Plant Quarantine Pests, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Jie Shen
- Department of Plant Biosecurity, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Surveillance and Management for Plant Quarantine Pests, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Farman Ullah
- Department of Plant Biosecurity, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Surveillance and Management for Plant Quarantine Pests, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Zhihong Li
- Department of Plant Biosecurity, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Surveillance and Management for Plant Quarantine Pests, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, P. R. China
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Ghosh S, Patra S, Ray S. A Combinatorial Nanobased Spray-Induced Gene Silencing Technique for Crop Protection and Improvement. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:22345-22351. [PMID: 37396279 PMCID: PMC10308407 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c01968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
Recent research reports have shown that plant pests and pathogens have depleted the crop yield widely, which has led to an increased dependence on commercial pesticides and fungicides. Increased usage of these pesticides has also shown adverse effects on the environment, therefore many techniques have been implemented for solving the issue, some of which include using nanobioconjugates, RNA(i), which put into use double-stranded RNAs to inhibit gene expression. A more innovative and eco-friendly strategy includes spray induced gene silencing, which is being increasingly implemented. This review delves into the eco-friendly approach of spray induced gene silencing (SIGS) in combination with nanobioconjugates, which have been used concerning various plant hosts and their pathogens to provide improved protection. Furthermore, nanotechnological advancements have been understood by addressing the scientific gaps to provide a rationale for the development of updated techniques in crop protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Snigdha Ghosh
- Amity
Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University,
Kolkata, Plot No: 36, 37, and 38 Major Arterial Road, Action Area II, Kadampukur
Village, Rajarhat, Newtown, Kolkata, West Bengal-700135, India
| | - Snehanjana Patra
- Amity
Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University,
Kolkata, Plot No: 36, 37, and 38 Major Arterial Road, Action Area II, Kadampukur
Village, Rajarhat, Newtown, Kolkata, West Bengal-700135, India
| | - Sarmistha Ray
- Amity
Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University,
Kolkata, Plot No: 36, 37, and 38 Major Arterial Road, Action Area II, Kadampukur
Village, Rajarhat, Newtown, Kolkata, West Bengal-700135, India
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Singewar K, Fladung M. Double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) technology to control forest insect pests and fungal pathogens: challenges and opportunities. Funct Integr Genomics 2023; 23:185. [PMID: 37243792 DOI: 10.1007/s10142-023-01107-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Climate change alters the seasonal synchronization between plants and respective pests plus pathogens. The geographical infiltration helps to shift their hosts, resulting in novel outbreaks that damage forests and ecology. Traditional management schemes are unable to control such outbreaks, therefore unconventional and competitive governance is needed to manage forest pests and pathogens. RNA interference (RNAi) mediated double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) treatment method can be implemented to protect forest trees. Exogenous dsRNA triggers the RNAi-mediated gene silencing of a vital gene, and suspends protein production, resulting in the death of targeted pathogens and pests. The dsRNA treatment method is successful for many crop insects and fungi, however, studies of dsRNA against forest pests and pathogens are depleting. Pesticides and fungicides based on dsRNA could be used to combat pathogens that caused outbreaks in different parts of the world. Although the dsRNA has proved its potential, the crucial dilemma and risks including species-specific gene selection, and dsRNA delivery methods cannot be overlooked. Here, we summarized the major fungi pathogens and insect pests that have caused outbreaks, their genomic information, and studies on dsRNA fungi-and pesticides. Current challenges and opportunities in dsRNA target decision, delivery using nanoparticles, direct applications, and a new method using mycorrhiza for forest tree protection are discussed. The importance of affordable next-generation sequencing to minimize the impact on non-target species is discussed. We suggest that collaborative research among forest genomics and pathology institutes could develop necessary dsRNA strategies to protect forest tree species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiran Singewar
- Thünen Institute of Forest Genetics, 22927, Großhansdorf, Germany.
| | - Matthias Fladung
- Thünen Institute of Forest Genetics, 22927, Großhansdorf, Germany.
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14
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Müller R, Bálint M, Hardes K, Hollert H, Klimpel S, Knorr E, Kochmann J, Lee KZ, Mehring M, Pauls SU, Smets G, Steinbrink A, Vilcinskas A. RNA interference to combat the Asian tiger mosquito in Europe: A pathway from design of an innovative vector control tool to its application. Biotechnol Adv 2023; 66:108167. [PMID: 37164239 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2023.108167] [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: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
The Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus is currently spreading across Europe, facilitated by climate change and global transportation. It is a vector of arboviruses causing human diseases such as chikungunya, dengue hemorrhagic fever and Zika fever. For the majority of these diseases, no vaccines or therapeutics are available. Options for the control of Ae. albopictus are limited by European regulations introduced to protect biodiversity by restricting or phasing out the use of pesticides, genetically modified organisms (GMOs) or products of genome editing. Alternative solutions are thus urgently needed to avoid a future scenario in which Europe faces a choice between prioritizing human health or biodiversity when it comes to Aedes-vectored pathogens. To ensure regulatory compliance and public acceptance, these solutions should preferably not be based on chemicals or GMOs and must be cost-efficient and specific. The present review aims to synthesize available evidence on RNAi-based mosquito vector control and its potential for application in the European Union. The recent literature has identified some potential target sites in Ae. albopictus and formulations for delivery. However, we found little information concerning non-target effects on the environment or human health, on social aspects, regulatory frameworks, or on management perspectives. We propose optimal designs for RNAi-based vector control tools against Ae. albopictus (target product profiles), discuss their efficacy and reflect on potential risks to environmental health and the importance of societal aspects. The roadmap from design to application will provide readers with a comprehensive perspective on the application of emerging RNAi-based vector control tools for the suppression of Ae. albopictus populations with special focus on Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth Müller
- Unit Entomology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nationalestraat 155, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium; Institute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Goethe University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 9, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Miklós Bálint
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (SBiK-F), Georg-Voigt-Str. 14-16, 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE TBG), Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus-Liebig University, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Kornelia Hardes
- LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE TBG), Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Branch of Bioresources, Ohlebergsweg 12, 35392 Giessen, Germany; BMBF Junior Research Group in Infection Research "ASCRIBE", Germany
| | - Henner Hollert
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (SBiK-F), Georg-Voigt-Str. 14-16, 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Department Media-related Toxicity, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Evolutionary Ecology and Environmental Toxicology, Institute for Ecology, Evolution and Diversity, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Sven Klimpel
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (SBiK-F), Georg-Voigt-Str. 14-16, 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE TBG), Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Integrative Parasitology and Zoophysiology, Institute for Ecology, Evolution and Diversity, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Eileen Knorr
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Branch of Bioresources, Ohlebergsweg 12, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Judith Kochmann
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (SBiK-F), Georg-Voigt-Str. 14-16, 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Kwang-Zin Lee
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Branch of Bioresources, Ohlebergsweg 12, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Marion Mehring
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (SBiK-F), Georg-Voigt-Str. 14-16, 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; ISOE - Institute for Social-Ecological Research, Hamburger Allee 45, 60486 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Steffen U Pauls
- LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE TBG), Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus-Liebig University, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, 35392 Giessen, Germany; Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum Frankfurt, Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Greet Smets
- Perseus BV, Kortrijksesteenweg 127 B1, B-9830 Sint-Martens-Latem, Belgium
| | - Antje Steinbrink
- LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE TBG), Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus-Liebig University, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Andreas Vilcinskas
- LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE TBG), Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus-Liebig University, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, 35392 Giessen, Germany; Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Branch of Bioresources, Ohlebergsweg 12, 35392 Giessen, Germany.
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15
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Zhou Q, Han L, Li Y, Li J, Yang X. Neutral Dietary Effects of Two MicroRNAs, Csu-Novel-260 and Csu-Mir-14, on the Non-Target Arthropod Folsomia candida. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:plants12091885. [PMID: 37176942 PMCID: PMC10181208 DOI: 10.3390/plants12091885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi) that is triggered by small or short RNAs has shown enormous potential in the development of pest control strategies. Two microRNAs (miRNAs), Csu-novel-260 and Csu-miR-14, were used in insect-resistant genetically engineered (IRGE) rice lines to confer resistance to Chilo suppressalis. However, a risk assessment of RNAi-based products is essential to determine the safety of a biopesticide or IRGE crop for commercialization. The non-target organism Folsomia candida, which plays an important ecological role as a soil decomposer in agricultural ecosystems, was used to assess the risk of miRNAs Csu-novel-260 and Csu-miR-14. In this study, a dietary miRNA toxicity assay system was established in F. candida. The expression levels of target genes, survival rate, fecundity and body size were investigated to evaluate the effects of the miRNAs on F. candida under the worst-case scenario. The results showed that the dietary miRNA toxicity assay system could be used for risk assessment of miRNA in F. candida. The target genes of miRNAs were influenced by miRNA at some time points. However, no significant differences were observed in the life-table parameters in F. candida fed with a diet containing miRNAs. The dietary effects of two miRNAs on F. candida are neutral.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinli Zhou
- College of Plant Protection, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071001, China
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Lanzhi Han
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yunhe Li
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
- State Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-Breeding and Integrated Utilization, School of Life Sciences and College of Agriculture, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China
| | - Jing Li
- College of Plant Protection, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071001, China
| | - Xiaowei Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
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16
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Yin J, Su X, Yan S, Shen J. Multifunctional Nanoparticles and Nanopesticides in Agricultural Application. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 13:nano13071255. [PMID: 37049348 PMCID: PMC10096623 DOI: 10.3390/nano13071255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The unscientific application of pesticides can easily cause a series of ecological environmental safety issues, which seriously restrict the sustainable development of modern agriculture. The great progress in nanotechnology has allowed the continuous development of plant protection strategies. The nanonization and delivery of pesticides offer many advantages, including their greater absorption and conduction by plants, improved efficacy, reduced dosage, delayed resistance, reduced residues, and protection from natural enemies and beneficial insects. In this review, we focus on the recent advances in multifunctional nanoparticles and nanopesticides. The definition of nanopesticides, the types of nanoparticles used in agriculture and their specific synergistic mechanisms are introduced, their safety is evaluated, and their future application prospects, about which the public is concerned, are examined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaming Yin
- Department of Plant Biosecurity and MARA Key Laboratory of Surveillance and Management for Plant Quarantine Pests, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China;
- College of Plant Protection, Sanya Institute of China Agricultural University, Sanya 572025, China
| | - Xiaofeng Su
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China;
| | - Shuo Yan
- Department of Plant Biosecurity and MARA Key Laboratory of Surveillance and Management for Plant Quarantine Pests, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China;
| | - Jie Shen
- Department of Plant Biosecurity and MARA Key Laboratory of Surveillance and Management for Plant Quarantine Pests, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China;
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17
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Cai Q, Wang Z, Yang F, Zhang B, Wang E, Lv J, Xu X. Expression and functional analysis of transformer-2 in Phytoseiulus persimilis and other genes potentially participating in reproductive regulation. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2023; 89:345-362. [PMID: 37027055 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-023-00786-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Transformer-2 (tra-2) is an important sex-determining gene in insects. It also plays a role in the reproduction of phytoseiid mites. We performed bioinformatic analyses for the tra-2 ortholog in Phytoseiulus persimilis (termed Pptra-2), measured its expression at different stages and quantitatively identified its function in reproduction. This gene encodes 288 amino acids with a conserved RRM domain. The peak of its expression was observed in adult females, especially ca. 5 days after mating. In addition, expression is also higher in eggs than in other stages and adult males. When Pptra-2 was silenced through RNA interference with oral delivery of dsRNA, 56% of the females had their egg hatching rates decreased in the first 5 days, from ca. 100% to ca. 20%, and maintained at low levels during the rest of the oviposition period. To detect other genes functionally related to Pptra-2, transcriptome analyses were performed on day 5 after mating. We compared mRNA expressions among interfered females with significantly reduced egg hatching rate, interfered females without significant hatching rate and CK. In total 403 differential genes were identified, of which 42 functional genes involved in the regulation of female reproduction and embryonic development were screened and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Cai
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Beijing, China
- Lab of Predatory Mites, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhenghui Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Beijing, China
- Lab of Predatory Mites, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Fan Yang
- Beijing Hooseen Biotechnology Co., Ltd, Beijing, China
| | - Bo Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Beijing, China
- Lab of Predatory Mites, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Endong Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Beijing, China
- Lab of Predatory Mites, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jiale Lv
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Beijing, China.
- Lab of Predatory Mites, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Xuenong Xu
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Beijing, China.
- Lab of Predatory Mites, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China.
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18
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Guo H, Liu XZ, Long GJ, Gong LL, Zhang MQ, Ma YF, Hull JJ, Dewer Y, He M, He P. Functional characterization of developmentally critical genes in the white-backed planthopper: Efficacy of nanoparticle-based dsRNA sprays for pest control. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2023; 79:1048-1061. [PMID: 36325939 DOI: 10.1002/ps.7271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2022] [Revised: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), zinc finger homeodomain-2 (zfh-2), Abdominal-A (Abd-A), and Abdominal-B (Abd-B) regulate the growth and development of the insect abdomen. However, their potential roles in pest control have not been fully assessed. The development of insecticide resistance to multiple chemistries in the white-backed planthopper (WBPH), a major pest of rice, has prompted interest in novel pest control approaches that are ecologically friendly. Although pest management approaches based on double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)-mediated RNA interference (RNAi) have potential, their susceptibility to degradation limits large-scale field applications. These limitations, however, can be overcome with nanoparticle-dsRNA complexes that have greater environmental stability and improved cellular uptake. RESULTS In this study, at 5 days post-injection, transcripts for the four gene targets were reduced relative to controls and all of the experimental groups exhibited significant phenotypic defects and increased mortality. To evaluate the potential of these gene targets for field applications, a nanocarrier-dsRNA spray delivery system was assessed for RNAi efficacy. At 11 days post-spray, significant phenotypic defects and increased mortality were observed in all experimental groups. CONCLUSION Taken together, the results confirm the suitability of the target genes (SfEGFR, Sfzfh-2, SfAbd-A, and SfAbd-B) for pest management and demonstrate the efficacy of the nanocarrier spray system for inducing RNAi-mediated knockdown. As such, the study lays the foundation for the further development and optimization of this technology for large-scale field applications. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Guo
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Guiyang, P. R. China
| | - Xuan-Zheng Liu
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Guiyang, P. R. China
| | - Gui-Jun Long
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Guiyang, P. R. China
| | - Lang-Lang Gong
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Guiyang, P. R. China
| | - Meng-Qi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Guiyang, P. R. China
| | - Yun-Feng Ma
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Guiyang, P. R. China
| | - J Joe Hull
- Pest Management and Biocontrol Research Unit, US Arid Land Agricultural Research Center, USDA Agricultural Research Services, Maricopa, AZ, USA
| | - Youssef Dewer
- Phytotoxicity Research Department, Central Agricultural Pesticide Laboratory, Agricultural Research Center, Giza, Egypt
| | - Ming He
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Guiyang, P. R. China
| | - Peng He
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Guiyang, P. R. China
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Wang Y, Xie YH, Jiang QH, Chen HT, Ma RH, Wang ZJ, Yin MZ, Shen J, Yan S. Efficient polymer-mediated delivery system for thiocyclam: Nanometerization remarkably improves the bioactivity toward green peach aphids. INSECT SCIENCE 2023; 30:2-14. [PMID: 35275442 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.13033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Revised: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2022] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
The unscientific application of synthetic pesticides has brought various negative effects on the environment, hindering the sustainable development of agriculture. Nanoparticles can be applied as carriers to improve pesticide delivery, showing great potential in the development of pesticide formulation in recent years. Herein, a star polymer (SPc) was constructed as an efficient pesticide nanocarrier/adjuvant that could spontaneously assemble with thiocyclam or monosultap into a complex, through hydrophobic association and hydrogen bonding, respectively, with the pesticide-loading contents of 42.54% and 19.3%. This complexation reduced the particle sizes of thiocyclam from 543.54 to 52.74 nm for pure thiocyclam, and 3 814.16 to 1 185.89 nm for commercial preparation (cp) of thiocyclam. Interestingly, the introduction of SPc decreased the contact angles of both pure and cp thiocyclam on plant leaves, and increased the plant uptake of cp thiocyclam to 2.4-1.9 times of that without SPc. Meanwhile, the SPc could promote the bioactivity of pure/cp thiocyclam against green peach aphids through leaf dipping method and root application. For leaf dipping method, the 50% lethal concentration decreased from 0.532 to 0.221 g/L after the complexation of pure thiocyclam with SPc, and that decreased from 0.390 to 0.251 g/L for cp thiocyclam. SPc seems a promising adjuvant for nanometerization of both pure and cp insecticides, which is beneficial for improving the delivery efficiency and utilization rate of pesticides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye Wang
- Department of Plant Biosecurity and MOA Key Lab of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Yong-Hui Xie
- Kunming Branch of Yunnan Provincial Tobacco Company, Kunming, China
| | - Qin-Hong Jiang
- Department of Plant Biosecurity and MOA Key Lab of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Hong-Tao Chen
- State Key Lab of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing Lab of Biomedical Materials, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Rui-Hao Ma
- State Key Lab of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing Lab of Biomedical Materials, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Zhi-Jiang Wang
- Kunming Branch of Yunnan Provincial Tobacco Company, Kunming, China
| | - Mei-Zhen Yin
- State Key Lab of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing Lab of Biomedical Materials, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Shen
- Department of Plant Biosecurity and MOA Key Lab of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Shuo Yan
- Department of Plant Biosecurity and MOA Key Lab of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
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Manna S, Roy S, Dolai A, Ravula AR, Perumal V, Das A. Current and future prospects of “all-organic” nanoinsecticides for agricultural insect pest management. FRONTIERS IN NANOTECHNOLOGY 2023. [DOI: 10.3389/fnano.2022.1082128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Graphical Abstract
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Finetti L, Benetti L, Leyria J, Civolani S, Bernacchia G. Topical delivery of dsRNA in two hemipteran species: Evaluation of RNAi specificity and non-target effects. PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 189:105295. [PMID: 36549821 DOI: 10.1016/j.pestbp.2022.105295] [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: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Double-stranded (ds) RNA-based technologies could provide novel and potential tool for pest management with efficiency and specificity of action. However, before applying this technique in the field, it is necessary to identify effective delivery methods and evaluate the non-target effects that may occur. In this article, we evaluated the effectiveness of dsRNA by topical delivery on a species of great agricultural interest, Halyomorpha halys. The specificity of action of the dsRNA was also investigated in Rhodnius prolixus, an insect phylogenetically close to H. halys. Of the three investigated genes (putative ATPase N2B, ATPase, serine/threonine-protein phosphatase PP1-β catalytic subunit, PP1, and IAP repeat-containing protein 7-B-like, IAP), IAP and ATPase were able to induce higher mortality in H. halys nymphs compared to the control, with specific concentrations for each gene targeted. However, when the same RNAs were topically delivered to both R. prolixus 2nd and 3rd instar nymphs, no gene silencing and mortality were observed. For this reason, to assess dsRNA application-mediated non-target effects, we injected both H. halys and R. prolixus specific dsRNA in R. prolixus 5th instar nymphs. When the dsRNA targeting H. halys IAP was microinjected into R. prolixus 5th instar nymphs, no mortality was observed, suggesting a strong RNAi specificity. Together, these data suggest that the topical delivery could be suitable for the dsRNA to control H. halys population. Furthermore, its specificity of action would allow treatments towards single harmful species with limited non-target effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Finetti
- Department of Biology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, ON, Canada.
| | - Lorenzo Benetti
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Jimena Leyria
- Department of Biology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, ON, Canada
| | - Stefano Civolani
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Giovanni Bernacchia
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
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22
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Bharathi JK, Anandan R, Benjamin LK, Muneer S, Prakash MAS. Recent trends and advances of RNA interference (RNAi) to improve agricultural crops and enhance their resilience to biotic and abiotic stresses. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY : PPB 2023; 194:600-618. [PMID: 36529010 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2022.11.035] [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: 07/16/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Over the last two decades, significant advances have been made using genetic engineering technology to modify genes from various exotic origins and introduce them into plants to induce favorable traits. RNA interference (RNAi) was discovered earlier as a natural process for controlling the expression of genes across all higher species. It aims to enhance precision and accuracy in pest/pathogen resistance, quality improvement, and manipulating the architecture of plants. However, it existed as a widely used technique recently. RNAi technologies could well be used to down-regulate any genes' expression without disrupting the expression of other genes. The use of RNA interference to silence genes in various organisms has become the preferred method for studying gene functions. The establishment of new approaches and applications for enhancing desirable characters is essential in crops by gene suppression and the refinement of knowledge of endogenous RNAi mechanisms in plants. RNAi technology in recent years has become an important and choicest method for controlling insects, pests, pathogens, and abiotic stresses like drought, salinity, and temperature. Although there are certain drawbacks in efficiency of this technology such as gene candidate selection, stability of trigger molecule, choice of target species and crops. Nevertheless, from past decade several target genes has been identified in numerous crops for their improvement towards biotic and abiotic stresses. The current review is aimed to emphasize the research done on crops under biotic and abiotic stress using RNAi technology. The review also highlights the gene regulatory pathways/gene silencing, RNA interference, RNAi knockdown, RNAi induced biotic and abiotic resistance and advancements in the understanding of RNAi technology and the functionality of various components of the RNAi machinery in crops for their improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jothi Kanmani Bharathi
- Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar, 608 002, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Ramaswamy Anandan
- Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar, 608 002, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Lincy Kirubhadharsini Benjamin
- Horticulture and Molecular Physiology Lab, School of Agricultural Innovations and Advanced Learning, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, 632014, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Sowbiya Muneer
- Horticulture and Molecular Physiology Lab, School of Agricultural Innovations and Advanced Learning, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, 632014, Tamil Nadu, India.
| | - Muthu Arjuna Samy Prakash
- Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar, 608 002, Tamil Nadu, India.
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Kolge H, Kadam K, Ghormade V. Chitosan nanocarriers mediated dsRNA delivery in gene silencing for Helicoverpa armigera biocontrol. PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 189:105292. [PMID: 36549819 DOI: 10.1016/j.pestbp.2022.105292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Specific gene silencing by RNA interference (RNAi) involving exogenous double stranded RNA (dsRNA) delivery has potential in Helicoverpa armigera control, a resistant insect pest. Here, ionotropically synthesized cationic chitosan nanoparticles (CNPs, 95 nm size, +36 mV charge) showed efficient dsRNA loading (95 %) and effective protection from insect gut nucleases and pH degradation. The CNPs were tagged with fluorescence and found to be stable on leaf surface (24 h) and were internalized by columnar insect gut cells. A single dose of CNPs:dsRNA complex (containing 0.1 μg dsRNA) ingested by H. armigera larvae via artificial/leaf feed effectively silenced lipase and chitinase target genes (2-2.7 fold downregulation) and suppressed their respective enzyme activities (2-5.3 fold). RNAi caused reduced pupation (5-fold) and impaired moth emergence. RNAi effects correlated significantly with 100% insect mortality (PCA 0.97-0.99). Furthermore, specific dsRNA did not affect non-target insects Spodoptera litura and Drosophila melanogaster. Developed CNPs:dsRNA complexes towards RNAi targets can serve as a safe, targeted insecticide for sustainable crop protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henry Kolge
- Nanobioscience Group, Agharkar Research Institute, GG Agarkar Road, Pune 411004, India
| | - Kartiki Kadam
- Nanobioscience Group, Agharkar Research Institute, GG Agarkar Road, Pune 411004, India
| | - Vandana Ghormade
- Nanobioscience Group, Agharkar Research Institute, GG Agarkar Road, Pune 411004, India.
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24
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Klotz K, Radwan Y, Chakrabarti K. Dissecting Functional Biological Interactions Using Modular RNA Nanoparticles. Molecules 2022; 28:molecules28010228. [PMID: 36615420 PMCID: PMC9821959 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28010228] [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: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Nucleic acid nanoparticles (NANPs) are an exciting and innovative technology in the context of both basic and biomedical research. Made of DNA, RNA, or their chemical analogs, NANPs are programmed for carrying out specific functions within human cells. NANPs are at the forefront of preventing, detecting, and treating disease. Their nucleic acid composition lends them biocompatibility that provides their cargo with enhanced opportunity for coordinated delivery. Of course, the NANP system of targeting specific cells and tissues is not without its disadvantages. Accumulation of NANPs outside of the target tissue and the potential for off-target effects of NANP-mediated cargo delivery present challenges to research and medical professionals and these challenges must be effectively addressed to provide safe treatment to patients. Importantly, development of NANPs with regulated biological activities and immunorecognition becomes a promising route for developing versatile nucleic acid therapeutics. In a basic research context, NANPs can assist investigators in fine-tuning the structure-function relationship of final formulations and in this review, we explore the practical applications of NANPs in laboratory and clinical settings and discuss how we can use established nucleic acid research techniques to design effective NANPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaitlin Klotz
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 9201 University City Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28223, USA
| | - Yasmine Radwan
- Nanoscale Science Program, Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC 28223, USA
| | - Kausik Chakrabarti
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 9201 University City Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28223, USA
- Correspondence:
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25
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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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Li HJ, Zhang HH, Lu JB, Zhang CX. Threonyl-tRNA synthetase gene, a potential target for RNAi-based control of three rice planthoppers. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2022; 78:4589-4598. [PMID: 35831262 DOI: 10.1002/ps.7078] [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: 03/20/2022] [Revised: 07/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND RNA interference (RNAi) has potential as a new strategy for pest control. However, the current overemphasis on the control of a single pest increased control costs. The aim of this study was to find a green method of controlling several pests without affecting the natural enemies with a single target gene. One possible RNAi target is the threonyl-tRNA synthetase (ThrRS), which is conserved and plays a significant role in protein biosynthesis. RESULTS In this study, one threonyl-tRNA synthetase gene (NlthrS) was identified from the brown planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens). Spatio-temporal expression pattern analysis showed that NlthrS was highly expressed in the ovary, late embryogenesis, nymphs and female adults. In addition, RNAi-mediated knockdown of NlthrS caused 85.6% nymph mortality, 100% female infertility, molting disorder, extended nymph duration and shortened adult longevity. Target-specific results were obtained when dsNlthrS was used to interfere with the whiteback planthopper (Sogatella furcifera), small brown planthopper (Laodelphax striatellus), zig-zag winged leafhopper (Inazuma dorsalis) and their natural enemy (green mirid bug, Cyrtorhinus lividipennis). In addition, dsNlthrS could cause high mortalities of three species of planthoppers (85.6-100%), while only dsNlthrS-1 led to the death (97.3%) of I. dorsalis that was not affected by dsNlthrS-2. Furthermore, neither dsNlthrS-1 nor dsNlthrS-2 could influence the survival of C. lividipennis. CONCLUSION The results reveal the biological functions of ThrRS in N. lugens in addtion to its protein synthesis, deepening our understanding of tRNA synthase in insects and providing a new method for the control of several rice pests via one dsRNA design. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han-Jing Li
- Institute of Insect Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hou-Hong Zhang
- Institute of Insect Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jia-Bao Lu
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, Institute of Plant Virology, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Chuan-Xi Zhang
- Institute of Insect Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, Institute of Plant Virology, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
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Zhang H, Chen J, Gao J, Zhang Q, Liu X, Han Z. New insights into transmission pathways and possible off-target effects of insecticidal dsRNA released by treated plants. PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2022; 188:105281. [PMID: 36464336 DOI: 10.1016/j.pestbp.2022.105281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Revised: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
RNAi has shown great potential in controlling pests and pathogens, and dsRNA-based pesticides have been used in different ways. Due to off-target effects, the transmission pathways and possible impacts of dsRNA on non-target organisms after release should be researched. Here, we tested pathways of dsRNA transmission through the rice-hopper-spider food chain and their efficiency for triggering RNAi. The results revealed five new pathways by which plants transfer dsRNA into the environment through the food chain. We found that ingestion of the tissues or guttation droplets of treated plant could trigger both targeted and off-target RNAi both in consumers and predators. Ingestion of consumer hoppers could also result in localized RNAi in the midguts of the predator spiders. Trace amounts of dsRNA were detected in plant root excretions and in hopper honeydew. Cutting the root tips dramatically increased the levels of dsRNA in root excretions. Host shifting experiments proved that hoppers could transfer a trace amount of dsRNA via vomit. With specially designed dsRNAs, we showed that dsRNA sharing matching sequences of 29 bp or 32 bp in length with non-target genes could trigger off-target RNAi, but that dsRNA sharing 13 bp matching sequences could not. We conclude that field-released pesticidal dsRNA could be transmitted via the hydrophilic transport system in plants, and that this may pose a safety risk to non-target animal consumers that are closely related to target pests. Rational use of pesticidal dsRNAs should involve careful consideration of dsRNA design to manage the biosafety risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hainan Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Monitoring and Management of Plant Diseases and Insects/Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Jiasheng Chen
- The Key Laboratory of Monitoring and Management of Plant Diseases and Insects/Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Jing Gao
- The Key Laboratory of Monitoring and Management of Plant Diseases and Insects/Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Qi Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Monitoring and Management of Plant Diseases and Insects/Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Xiaolong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, China
| | - Zhaojun Han
- The Key Laboratory of Monitoring and Management of Plant Diseases and Insects/Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
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28
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Kebede M, Fite T. RNA interference (RNAi) applications to the management of fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae): Its current trends and future prospects. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:944774. [PMID: 36158573 PMCID: PMC9490220 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.944774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is among the invasive insect pests that damages maize and sorghum, the high-priority crops in newly colonized agro-ecologies, including African contexts. Owing to the increasing infestation of the pest and the limitations of current conventional methods for its management, there is a call for discovering advanced pest management approaches. RNA interference (RNAi) is an emerging molecular tool showing flexible potential for the management of S. frugiperda. We conducted a search of the recent application of RNAi literature using Google Scholar and Mendeley to find advanced papers on S. frugiperda management using RNAi molecular tools that led to growth inhibition, developmental aberrations, reduced fecundity, and mortality, mainly by disruption of normal biological processes of the pest. Although efforts have been made to accelerate the utility of RNAi, many factors limit the efficiency of RNAi to achieve successful control over S. frugiperda. Owing to RNAi’s potential bioactivity and economic and ecological acceptability, continued research efforts should focus on improving its broad applicability, including field conditions. Screening and identification of key target genes should be a priority task to achieve effective and sustainable management of this insect via RNAi. In addition, a clear understanding of the present status of RNAi utilization in S. frugiperda management is of paramount importance to improve its efficiency. Therefore, in this review, we highlight the biology of S. frugiperda and the RNAi mechanism as a foundation for the molecular management of the pest. Then, we discuss the current knowledge of the RNAi approach in S. frugiperda management and the factors affecting the efficiency of RNAi application. Finally, the prospects for RNAi-based insect pest management are highlighted for future research to achieve effective management of S. frugiperda.
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29
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Shen CH, Jin L, Fu KY, Guo WC, Li GQ. RNA interference targeting Ras GTPase gene Ran causes larval and adult lethality in Leptinotarsa decemlineata. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2022; 78:3849-3858. [PMID: 35104039 DOI: 10.1002/ps.6822] [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: 10/27/2021] [Revised: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND RNA interference (RNAi) is a breakthrough technology in pest control. It is highly efficient to Coleopteran pests such as the Colorado potato beetle Leptinotarsa decemlineata, a serious pest defoliator mainly attacking potatoes worldwide. The first step for effective pest control by RNAi is the development of effective and reliable target genes. RESULTS Our results revealed that continuous ingestion of dsLdRan for 3 days successfully silenced the target gene, inhibited larval growth and killed 100% L. decemlineata larvae. When the bioassay began at the second-, third/fourth-instar larval stages, the larval lethality mainly occurred at the fourth larval instar and prepupal stages, respectively. Importantly, consumption of dsLdRan for 3 days by the newly-emerged males and females effectively knocked down the target transcript, reduced fresh weights and caused 100% of lethality within a week. The LdRan females possessed underdeveloped ovaries. CONCLUSION Considering that the larvae, adults and eggs are simultaneously sited on the potato plants, bacterially-expressed dsLdRan is a potential RNAi-based strategy for managing L. decemlineata in the potato field. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen-Hui Shen
- Agriculture Ministry Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops in East China/State and Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Green Pesticide Invention and Application, Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Lin Jin
- Agriculture Ministry Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops in East China/State and Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Green Pesticide Invention and Application, Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Kai-Yun Fu
- Institute of Plant Protection, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Urumqi, China
- Key Laboratory of Intergraded Management of Harmful Crop Vermin of China North-western Oasis, Ministry of Agriculture, Urumqi, China
| | - Wen-Chao Guo
- Institute of Microbiological Application, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Science, Urumqi, China
| | - Guo-Qing Li
- Agriculture Ministry Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops in East China/State and Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Green Pesticide Invention and Application, Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
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Qu X, Wang S, Lin G, Li M, Shen J, Wang D. The Synergistic Effect of Thiamethoxam and Synapsin dsRNA Targets Neurotransmission to Induce Mortality in Aphis gossypii. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23169388. [PMID: 36012653 PMCID: PMC9408958 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23169388] [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: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Sublethal doses of insecticides have many impacts on pest control and agroecosystems. Insects that survive a sublethal dose of insecticide could adapt their physiological and behavioral functions and resist this environmental stress, which contributes to the challenge of pest management. In this study, the sublethal effects of thiamethoxam on gene expression were measured through RNA sequencing in the melon aphid Aphis gossypii. Genes regulating energy production were downregulated, while genes related to neural function were upregulated. To further address the function of genes related to neurotransmission, RNA interference (RNAi) was implemented by transdermal delivery of dsRNA targeting synapsin (syn), a gene regulating presynaptic vesicle clustering. The gene expression of synapsin was knocked down and the mortality of aphids was increased significantly over the duration of the assay. Co-delivery of syn-dsRNA and thiamethoxam reversed the upregulation of synapsin caused by low-dose thiamethoxam and resulted in lethality to melon aphids, suggesting that the decreased presynaptic function may contribute to this synergistic lethal effect. In addition, the nanocarrier star polycation, which could bind both dsRNA and thiamethoxam, greatly improved the efficacy of lethality. These results increase our knowledge of the gene regulation induced by sublethal exposure to neonicotinoids and indicated that synapsin could be a potential RNAi target for resistance management of the melon aphid.
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List F, Tarone AM, Zhu‐Salzman K, Vargo EL. RNA meets toxicology: efficacy indicators from the experimental design of RNAi studies for insect pest management. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2022; 78:3215-3225. [PMID: 35338587 PMCID: PMC9541735 DOI: 10.1002/ps.6884] [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: 10/26/2021] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/26/2022] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi) selectively targets genes and silences their expression in vivo, causing developmental defects, mortality and altered behavior. Consequently, RNAi has emerged as a promising research area for insect pest management. However, it is not yet a viable alternative over conventional pesticides despite several theoretical advantages in safety and specificity. As a first step toward a more standardized approach, a machine learning algorithm was used to identify factors that predict trial efficacy. Current research on RNAi for pest management is highly variable and relatively unstandardized. The applied random forest model was able to reliably predict mortality ranges based on bioassay parameters with 72.6% accuracy. Response time and target gene were the most important variables in the model, followed by applied dose, double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) construct size and target species, further supported by generalized linear mixed effect modeling. Our results identified informative trends, supporting the idea that basic principles of toxicology apply to RNAi bioassays and provide initial guidelines standardizing future research similar to studies of traditional insecticides. We advocate for training that integrates genetic, organismal, and toxicological approaches to accelerate the development of RNAi as an effective tool for pest management. © 2022 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian List
- Department of EntomologyTexas A&M UniversityCollege StationTXUSA
| | - Aaron M Tarone
- Department of EntomologyTexas A&M UniversityCollege StationTXUSA
| | | | - Edward L Vargo
- Department of EntomologyTexas A&M UniversityCollege StationTXUSA
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Yan S, Gu N, Peng M, Jiang Q, Liu E, Li Z, Yin M, Shen J, Du X, Dong M. A Preparation Method of Nano-Pesticide Improves the Selective Toxicity toward Natural Enemies. NANOMATERIALS 2022; 12:nano12142419. [PMID: 35889640 PMCID: PMC9323491 DOI: 10.3390/nano12142419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Various nano-delivery systems have been designed to deliver synthetic/botanical pesticides for improved bioactivity. However, the enhanced toxicity of nanocarrier-loaded pesticides may injure the natural enemies, and their selective toxicity should be evaluated before the large-scale application. In this context, a star polymer (SPc)-based cyantraniliprole (CNAP) nano-delivery system was constructed, and its selective toxicity was evaluated using pest Frankliniella occidentalis (WFT) and predator Orius sauteri. The amide NH of CNAP could assemble with carbonyl groups or tertiary amines of SPc through hydrogen bonds to form CNAP/SPc complex spontaneously. The above self-assembly decreased the particle size of CNAP from 808 to 299 nm. With the help of SPc, the lethal concentration 50 (LC50) values of CNAP decreased from 99 to 54 mg/L and 230 to 173 mg/L toward WFTs and O. sauteri due to the enhancement of broad-spectrum bioactivity. Interestingly, the toxicity selective ratio (TSR) of CNAP increased from 2.33 to 3.23 with the help of SPc, revealing the higher selectivity of SPc-loaded CNAP. To our knowledge, it was the first successful exploration of the selective toxicity of nanocarrier-loaded pesticides, and the higher selective toxicity of SPc-loaded CNAP was beneficial for alleviating the negative impacts on predators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuo Yan
- Department of Plant Biosecurity and MARA Key Laboratory of Surveillance and Management for Plant Quarantine Pests, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; (S.Y.); (N.G.); (Q.J.); (J.S.); (X.D.)
| | - Na Gu
- Department of Plant Biosecurity and MARA Key Laboratory of Surveillance and Management for Plant Quarantine Pests, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; (S.Y.); (N.G.); (Q.J.); (J.S.); (X.D.)
| | - Min Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing Lab of Biomedical Materials, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China; (M.P.); (M.Y.)
| | - Qinhong Jiang
- Department of Plant Biosecurity and MARA Key Laboratory of Surveillance and Management for Plant Quarantine Pests, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; (S.Y.); (N.G.); (Q.J.); (J.S.); (X.D.)
| | - Enliang Liu
- Research Institute of Grain Crops, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Urumqi 830091, China;
| | - Zhiqiang Li
- Adsen Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Urumqi 830022, China;
| | - Meizhen Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing Lab of Biomedical Materials, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China; (M.P.); (M.Y.)
| | - Jie Shen
- Department of Plant Biosecurity and MARA Key Laboratory of Surveillance and Management for Plant Quarantine Pests, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; (S.Y.); (N.G.); (Q.J.); (J.S.); (X.D.)
| | - Xiangge Du
- Department of Plant Biosecurity and MARA Key Laboratory of Surveillance and Management for Plant Quarantine Pests, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; (S.Y.); (N.G.); (Q.J.); (J.S.); (X.D.)
| | - Min Dong
- Department of Plant Biosecurity and MARA Key Laboratory of Surveillance and Management for Plant Quarantine Pests, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; (S.Y.); (N.G.); (Q.J.); (J.S.); (X.D.)
- Correspondence:
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Zhang YH, Ma ZZ, Zhou H, Chao ZJ, Yan S, Shen J. Nanocarrier-delivered dsRNA suppresses wing development of green peach aphids. INSECT SCIENCE 2022; 29:669-682. [PMID: 34288425 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.12953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi) has developed rapidly as a potential "green" pest management strategy. At present, most studies have focused on the screening of aphid lethal genes, whereas only a few studies have been conducted on wing development, which is crucial for aphid migration and plant-virus dissemination. Here, the Myzus persicae genes vestigial (vg) and Ultrabithorax (Ubx) related to wing development, were cloned. These two genes were expressed in various tissues of 3rd-instar winged aphids. The mRNA level of vg was high in 3rd-instar nymphs, whereas the expression level of Ubx was high in adults. The nanocarrier-mediated delivery system delivered double-stranded RNAs for aphid RNAi using topical and root applications. The expression levels of vg and Ubx were downregulated by 44.0% and 36.5%, respectively, using the topical application. The simultaneous RNAi of the two target genes caused 63.3% and 32.2% wing aberration rates using topical and root applications, respectively. The current study provided a promising method for controlling aphid migration to alleviate the spread of insect transmitted plant diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun-Hui Zhang
- Department of Plant Biosecurity and MOA Key Lab of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhong-Zheng Ma
- Department of Plant Biosecurity and MOA Key Lab of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Hang Zhou
- Department of Plant Biosecurity and MOA Key Lab of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Zi-Jian Chao
- Department of Plant Biosecurity and MOA Key Lab of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Shuo Yan
- Department of Plant Biosecurity and MOA Key Lab of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Shen
- Department of Plant Biosecurity and MOA Key Lab of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
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Paredes-Montero JR, Arif U, Brown JK. Knockdown of ecdysteroid synthesis genes results in impaired molting and high mortality in Bactericera cockerelli (Hemiptera: Triozidae). PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2022; 78:2204-2214. [PMID: 35191190 DOI: 10.1002/ps.6848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND RNA-mediated interference (RNAi) has become a promising biopesticide technology with which to direct sequence-specific gene knockdown of key targets in the potato psyllid (PoP) Bactericera cockerelli, resulting in significant mortality. In this study, three strategically selected target genes, ATF4, C7 and D24, essential for the biosynthesis and regulation of ecdysteroids, were evaluated for knockdown and mortality using oral delivery of individual, paired and all three double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs), in five replicated experiments. Knockdown was determined as the fold-change in gene expression using a quantitative polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS Knockdown of the D24 target, at 39%-45%, resulted in 51% PoP mortality by 10 days post-ingestion (dpi) of dsRNA. Knockdown of C7, at 38%-61%, resulted in 53% mortality by 10 dpi, whereas dsD24 ingestion resulted in 65% mortality by 10 dpi when dsD24 and dsC7 were co-delivered. Three phenotypes, INCOMEC, PREMEC and SWOLLEN, were observed at a frequency of 4%-12%, and are consistent with incomplete ecdysis in immature and/or adult PoP. Adult PoP exhibiting INCOMEC survived for several days but were unable to mate or fly, whereas SWOLLEN and PREMEC were lethal to the immature instars. Knockdown of ATF4 did not result in the mortality or malformations in immature and adult PoP. CONCLUSIONS Compared with knockdown of individual D24 and C7 targets, significantly greater RNAi penetrance was achieved following delivery of combined dsRNAs. The highest knockdown that resulted in incomplete ecdysis and/or mortality was obtained for targets with predicted involvement in the same or interacting pathway(s). Knockdown of ATF4 was apparently "rescued" by uncharacterized compensatory gene(s) or effects. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge R Paredes-Montero
- School of Plant Sciences, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral, ESPOL, Guayaquil, Ecuador
| | - Usman Arif
- Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology (CEMB), University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Judith K Brown
- School of Plant Sciences, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
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Zhang X, Fan Z, Wang Q, Kong X, Liu F, Fang J, Zhang S, Zhang Z. RNAi Efficiency through dsRNA Injection Is Enhanced by Knockdown of dsRNA Nucleases in the Fall Webworm, Hyphantria cunea (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae). Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23116182. [PMID: 35682860 PMCID: PMC9181381 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23116182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi) technology is a promising approach used in pest control. The efficiency of RNAi varies considerably among different insect species, and growing evidence suggests that degradation of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) prior to uptake is an important factor that limits RNAi efficiency in insects. Our recent work on fall webworm (Hyphantria cunea), an important invasive pest in China, showed a relatively low silencing efficiency of RNAi through dsRNA injection, which is considered the most feasible dsRNA delivery method for inducing RNAi, and the factors involved in the mechanism remain unknown. Herein, we first detected the dsRNA-degrading activity in the hemolymph and gut content of H. cunea in ex vivo assays and observed rapid degradation of dsRNA, especially in the hemolymph, which was complete within only 10 min. To determine whether dsRNA degradation could contribute to the low effectiveness of RNAi in H. cunea, four dsRNA nuclease (dsRNase) genes, HcdsRNase1, HcdsRNase2, HcdsRNase3, and HcdsRNase4, were identified by homology searching against the H. cunea transcriptome database, and their transcript levels were subsequently investigated in different tissues, developmental stages, and after dsRNA injection. Our results show that HcdsRNases are highly expressed mainly in gut tissues and hemolymph, and the expression of HcdsRNase3 and HcdsRNase4 were significantly upregulated by dsGFP induction. RNAi-of-RNAi studies, using HcCht5 as a reporter gene, demonstrated that silencing HcdsRNase3 and HcdsRNase4 significantly increases RNAi efficacy via dsHcCht5 injection, and co-silencing these two HcdsRNase genes results in a more significant improvement in efficacy. These results confirm that the RNAi efficacy in H. cunea through dsRNA injection is certainly impaired by dsRNase activity, and that blocking HcdsRNases could potentially improve RNAi, providing a reference for related studies on insects where RNAi has low efficiency.
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Chang M, Cheng H, Cai Z, Qian Y, Zhang K, Yang L, Ma N, Li D. miR-92a-1-p5 Modulated Expression of the flightin Gene Regulates Flight Muscle Formation and Wing Extension in the Pea Aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum (Hemiptera: Aphidoidea). JOURNAL OF INSECT SCIENCE (ONLINE) 2022; 22:14. [PMID: 35738260 PMCID: PMC9225819 DOI: 10.1093/jisesa/ieac033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Aphids exhibit wing polyphenism. Winged and wingless aphid morphs are produced by parthenogenesis depending on population density and host plant quality. Recent studies showed that microRNAs in alate and apterous individuals have differential expression and are involved in wing dimorphism of Acyrthosiphon pisum. From which miR-92a-1-p5 can target the mRNA of flight muscle gene flightin in vitro, but what effect they have on wing development of aphid is unclear. Here with the nanocarrier-delivered RNA interference (RNAi) method, flightin gene was knocked down in winged nymphs of A. pisum. Results showed that the majority (63.33%) of adults had malformed wings, the shape of dorsal longitudinal muscle (DLM) was deformed severely, the dorsoventral flight muscle (DVM) became wider and looser in aphids with flightin reduction compared with the negative control. Overexpression of miR-92a-1-p5 caused decreased expression of flightin and malformed wings of aphids, with a mutant ratio of 62.50%. Morphological analysis of flight musculature showed the consistent result as that with flightin knockdown. These results suggest that flightin is essential for flight musculature formation and wing extension in A. pisum, which can be modulated by miR-92a-1-p5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meiling Chang
- Henan Key Laboratory of Insect Biology in Funiu Mountain, Henan International Joint Laboratory of Insect Biology, College of Life Science and Agricultural Engineering, Nanyang Normal University, 1638 Wolong Road, Nanyang, Henan 473061, China
| | - Hao Cheng
- Henan Key Laboratory of Insect Biology in Funiu Mountain, Henan International Joint Laboratory of Insect Biology, College of Life Science and Agricultural Engineering, Nanyang Normal University, 1638 Wolong Road, Nanyang, Henan 473061, China
| | - Zhiyan Cai
- Henan Key Laboratory of Insect Biology in Funiu Mountain, Henan International Joint Laboratory of Insect Biology, College of Life Science and Agricultural Engineering, Nanyang Normal University, 1638 Wolong Road, Nanyang, Henan 473061, China
| | - Yuxin Qian
- Henan Key Laboratory of Insect Biology in Funiu Mountain, Henan International Joint Laboratory of Insect Biology, College of Life Science and Agricultural Engineering, Nanyang Normal University, 1638 Wolong Road, Nanyang, Henan 473061, China
| | - Kun Zhang
- Henan Key Laboratory of Insect Biology in Funiu Mountain, Henan International Joint Laboratory of Insect Biology, College of Life Science and Agricultural Engineering, Nanyang Normal University, 1638 Wolong Road, Nanyang, Henan 473061, China
| | - Linlin Yang
- Henan Key Laboratory of Insect Biology in Funiu Mountain, Henan International Joint Laboratory of Insect Biology, College of Life Science and Agricultural Engineering, Nanyang Normal University, 1638 Wolong Road, Nanyang, Henan 473061, China
| | - Na Ma
- Henan Key Laboratory of Insect Biology in Funiu Mountain, Henan International Joint Laboratory of Insect Biology, College of Life Science and Agricultural Engineering, Nanyang Normal University, 1638 Wolong Road, Nanyang, Henan 473061, China
| | - Dandan Li
- Henan Key Laboratory of Insect Biology in Funiu Mountain, Henan International Joint Laboratory of Insect Biology, College of Life Science and Agricultural Engineering, Nanyang Normal University, 1638 Wolong Road, Nanyang, Henan 473061, China
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Ma Z, Zheng Y, Chao Z, Chen H, Zhang Y, Yin M, Shen J, Yan S. Visualization of the process of a nanocarrier-mediated gene delivery: stabilization, endocytosis and endosomal escape of genes for intracellular spreading. J Nanobiotechnology 2022; 20:124. [PMID: 35264206 PMCID: PMC8905852 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-022-01336-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Nanoparticles have been widely applied as gene carrier for improving RNA interference (RNAi) efficiency in medical and agricultural fields. However, the mechanism and delivery process of nanoparticle-mediated RNAi is not directly visualized and elucidated. Here we synthesized a star polymer (SPc) consisted of a hydrophilic shell with positively-charged tertiary amine in the side chain, which was taken as an example to investigate the mechanism in gene delivery. The SPc could assemble with dsRNA spontaneously through electrostatic force, hydrogen bond and van der Waals force. Interestingly, the SPc could protect dsRNA from degradation by RNase A and insect hemolymph, thus remarkably increasing the stability of dsRNA. Meanwhile, the SPc could efficiently promote the cellular uptake and endosomal escape for intracellular spreading of dsRNA. Transcriptome analysis revealed that the SPc could up-regulate some key genes such as Chc, AP2S1 and Arf1 for activating clathrin-mediated endocytosis. Furthermore, the suppression of endocytosis hindered the cellular uptake of SPc-delivered dsRNA in vitro, and the subsequent RNAi effect was also disappeared in vivo. To our knowledge, our study is the first direct visualization of the detailed cellular delivery process and mechanism of nanocarrier-mediated gene delivery. Above mechanism supports the application of nanocarrier-based RNAi in gene therapy and pest management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongzheng Ma
- Department of Plant Biosecurity and MOA Key Laboratory of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, People's Republic of China.,Institute of Plant Protection, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing, 100097, People's Republic of China
| | - Yang Zheng
- College of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225002, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Zijian Chao
- Department of Plant Biosecurity and MOA Key Laboratory of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongtao Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing Lab of Biomedical Materials, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Yunhui Zhang
- Department of Plant Biosecurity and MOA Key Laboratory of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, People's Republic of China
| | - Meizhen Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing Lab of Biomedical Materials, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Jie Shen
- Department of Plant Biosecurity and MOA Key Laboratory of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuo Yan
- Department of Plant Biosecurity and MOA Key Laboratory of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, People's Republic of China.
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Dong M, Chen D, Che L, Gu N, Yin M, Du X, Shen J, Yan S. Biotoxicity Evaluation of a Cationic Star Polymer on a Predatory Ladybird and Cooperative Pest Control by Polymer-Delivered Pesticides and Ladybird. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2022; 14:6083-6092. [PMID: 35072467 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c24077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Although employing nanocarriers for gene/drug delivery shows great potential in agricultural fields, the biotoxicity of nanocarriers is a major concern for large-scale applications. Herein, we synthesized a cationic star polymer (SPc) as a pesticide nanocarrier/adjuvant to evaluate its safety against a widely used predatory ladybird (Harmonia axyridis). The application of SPc at extremely high concentrations nearly did not influence the hatching of ladybird eggs but it led to the death of ladybird larvae at lethal concentration 50 (LC50) values of 43.96 and 19.85 mg/mL through the soaking and feeding methods, respectively. The oral feeding of SPc downregulated many membrane protein genes and lysosome genes significantly, and the cell membrane and nucleus in gut tissues were remarkably damaged by SPc application, revealing that the lethal mechanism might be SPc-mediated membrane damage. Furthermore, the oral feeding of SPc increased the relative abundance of Serratia bacteria in ladybird guts to result in bacterial infection. Coapplication of ladybird and SPc-loaded thiamethoxam/matrine achieved desired control efficacies of more than 80% against green peach aphids, revealing that the coapplication could overcome the slow-acting property of ladybirds. To our knowledge, this is the first attempt to investigate the polymer-mediated lethal mechanism toward natural enemies and explore the possibility of coapplying SPc-loaded pesticides and natural enemies for pest management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Dong
- Department of Plant Biosecurity and MOA Key Lab of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, P. R. China
| | - Dingming Chen
- Department of Plant Biosecurity and MOA Key Lab of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, P. R. China
| | - Lin Che
- Department of Plant Biosecurity and MOA Key Lab of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, P. R. China
| | - Na Gu
- Department of Plant Biosecurity and MOA Key Lab of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, P. R. China
| | - Meizhen Yin
- State Key Lab of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing Lab of Biomedical Materials, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, P. R. China
| | - Xiangge Du
- Department of Plant Biosecurity and MOA Key Lab of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, P. R. China
| | - Jie Shen
- Department of Plant Biosecurity and MOA Key Lab of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, P. R. China
| | - Shuo Yan
- Department of Plant Biosecurity and MOA Key Lab of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, P. R. China
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de Sousa NL, Cabral GB, Aragão FJL. Herbicide tolerance and gene silencing stability over generations in the ricin bio-detoxicated castor bean. J Genet Eng Biotechnol 2022; 20:16. [PMID: 35089467 PMCID: PMC8799790 DOI: 10.1186/s43141-022-00303-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Castor bean (Ricinus communis L.) is an important cultivated oilseed. Seeds contain ricinoleic acid, a valuable product for a variety of industries. Castor cake is a residue of ricinoleic manufacture and could be used as animal feed due to its high amount of protein. However, castor cake contains ricin and RCA120, both highly toxic and allergenic proteins. In 2017, we reported the development of a transgenic event (named TB14S-5D) with an undetectable amount of ricin/RCA120. In the present work, we evaluate TB14S-5D for tolerance to the herbicide imazapyr, as it contains the selectable marker gene, ahas, which was previously isolated from Arabidopsis thaliana and contains a mutation at position 653 bp. In addition, we demonstrated that the ricin coding genes are stably silenced over three generations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natália L de Sousa
- Embrapa Recursos Genéticos e Biotecnologia, PqEB W5 Norte, Brasília, DF, 70770-900, Brazil
| | - Glaucia B Cabral
- Embrapa Recursos Genéticos e Biotecnologia, PqEB W5 Norte, Brasília, DF, 70770-900, Brazil
| | - Francisco J L Aragão
- Embrapa Recursos Genéticos e Biotecnologia, PqEB W5 Norte, Brasília, DF, 70770-900, Brazil.
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40
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Ripamonti M, Cerone L, Abbà S, Rossi M, Ottati S, Palmano S, Marzachì C, Galetto L. Silencing of ATP Synthase β Impairs Egg Development in the Leafhopper Scaphoideus titanus, Vector of the Phytoplasma Associated with Grapevine Flavescence Dorée. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:765. [PMID: 35054956 PMCID: PMC8775575 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23020765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Revised: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Scaphoideus titanus (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) is the natural vector of Flavescence dorée phytoplasma, a quarantine pest of grapevine with severe impact on European viticulture. RNA interference (RNAi) machinery components are present in S. titanus transcriptome and injection of ATP synthase β dsRNAs into adults caused gene silencing, starting three days post injection (dpi) up to 20 dpi, leading to decrease cognate protein. Silencing of this gene in the closely related leafhopper Euscelidiusvariegatus previously showed female sterility and lack of mature eggs in ovaries. Here, alteration of developing egg morphology in S. titanus ovaries as well as overexpression of hexamerin transcript (amino acid storage protein) and cathepsin L protein (lysosome proteinase) were observed in dsATP-injected females. To evaluate RNAi-specificity, E.variegatus was used as dsRNA-receiving model-species. Different doses of two sets of dsRNA-constructs targeting distinct portions of ATP synthase β gene of both species induced silencing, lack of egg development, and female sterility in E. variegatus, indicating that off-target effects must be evaluated case by case. The effectiveness of RNAi in S. titanus provides a powerful tool for functional genomics of this non-model species and paves the way toward RNAi-based strategies to limit vector population, despite several technical and regulatory constraints that still need to be overcome to allow open field application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Ripamonti
- Istituto per la Protezione Sostenibile Delle Piante, Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche, IPSP-CNR, Strada delle Cacce 73, 10135 Torino, Italy; (M.R.); (L.C.); (S.A.); (M.R.); (S.O.); (S.P.); (C.M.)
- Environmental Research and Innovation Department (ERIN), Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST), 41 Rue du Brill, 4422 Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | - Luca Cerone
- Istituto per la Protezione Sostenibile Delle Piante, Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche, IPSP-CNR, Strada delle Cacce 73, 10135 Torino, Italy; (M.R.); (L.C.); (S.A.); (M.R.); (S.O.); (S.P.); (C.M.)
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Forestali ed Alimentari DISAFA, Università degli Studi di Torino, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, Grugliasco, 10095 Torino, Italy
| | - Simona Abbà
- Istituto per la Protezione Sostenibile Delle Piante, Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche, IPSP-CNR, Strada delle Cacce 73, 10135 Torino, Italy; (M.R.); (L.C.); (S.A.); (M.R.); (S.O.); (S.P.); (C.M.)
| | - Marika Rossi
- Istituto per la Protezione Sostenibile Delle Piante, Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche, IPSP-CNR, Strada delle Cacce 73, 10135 Torino, Italy; (M.R.); (L.C.); (S.A.); (M.R.); (S.O.); (S.P.); (C.M.)
| | - Sara Ottati
- Istituto per la Protezione Sostenibile Delle Piante, Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche, IPSP-CNR, Strada delle Cacce 73, 10135 Torino, Italy; (M.R.); (L.C.); (S.A.); (M.R.); (S.O.); (S.P.); (C.M.)
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Forestali ed Alimentari DISAFA, Università degli Studi di Torino, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, Grugliasco, 10095 Torino, Italy
| | - Sabrina Palmano
- Istituto per la Protezione Sostenibile Delle Piante, Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche, IPSP-CNR, Strada delle Cacce 73, 10135 Torino, Italy; (M.R.); (L.C.); (S.A.); (M.R.); (S.O.); (S.P.); (C.M.)
| | - Cristina Marzachì
- Istituto per la Protezione Sostenibile Delle Piante, Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche, IPSP-CNR, Strada delle Cacce 73, 10135 Torino, Italy; (M.R.); (L.C.); (S.A.); (M.R.); (S.O.); (S.P.); (C.M.)
| | - Luciana Galetto
- Istituto per la Protezione Sostenibile Delle Piante, Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche, IPSP-CNR, Strada delle Cacce 73, 10135 Torino, Italy; (M.R.); (L.C.); (S.A.); (M.R.); (S.O.); (S.P.); (C.M.)
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Ramkumar G, Asokan R, Prasannakumar NR, Kariyanna B, Karthi S, Alwahibi MS, Elshikh MS, Abdel-Megeed A, Ghaith A, Senthil-Nathan S, Kalaivani K, Hunter WB, Krutmuang P. RNA Interference Suppression of v-ATPase B and Juvenile Hormone Binding Protein Genes Through Topically Applied dsRNA on Tomato Leaves: Developing Biopesticides to Control the South American Pinworm, Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae). Front Physiol 2021; 12:742871. [PMID: 34867448 PMCID: PMC8637209 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.742871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The South American pinworm Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Family: Gelechiidae) is one of the most devastating lepidopteran pests in the developing countries of South America, Africa, and Asia. This pest is classified as the most serious threat for tomato production worldwide. In the present study, we analyzed RNAi-mediated control through exogenously applied dsRNA delivery on tomato. The dsRNA treatments were made to target the juvenile hormone binding protein and the v-ATPase B. Both mRNA targets were cloned, validated by sequencing, and used to produce each dsRNA. After treatments the relative transcript expression was analyzed using qRTPCR to assess to efficacy of RNAi. A leaf-dip assay was used to provide late 2nd instar larvae three feeding access periods: 24, 48, and 72 h, to evaluate the effect of gene silencing of each target. Larvae were fed tomato leaves coated with five different RNAi concentrations (10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 micrograms/centimeter-squared), that suppressed two genes (juvenile hormone protein, JHBP, and vacuolar-type adenosine triphosphatase enzyme, v-ATPase). Treatments with dsRNA showed a significant increase in mortality at 24, 48, and 72 h after ingestion (P < 0.01, α = 0.05), along with reduced leaf damage, and increased feeding deterrence. The results suggest that these two RNAi products may provide a suitable treatment for control of this and other lepidopteran pests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Govindaraju Ramkumar
- Division of Biotechnology, ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR), Bengaluru, India
| | - Ramasamy Asokan
- Division of Biotechnology, ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR), Bengaluru, India
| | - N R Prasannakumar
- Division of Entomology and Nematology, ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR), Bengaluru, India
| | - B Kariyanna
- Division of Biotechnology, ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR), Bengaluru, India
| | - Sengodan Karthi
- Division of Biopesticides and Environmental Toxicology, Sri Paramakalyani Center for Excellence in Environmental Sciences, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Tirunelveli, India
| | - Mona S Alwahibi
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohamed Soliman Elshikh
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed Abdel-Megeed
- Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture Saba Basha, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Aml Ghaith
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Derna University, Derna, Libya
| | - Sengottayan Senthil-Nathan
- Division of Biopesticides and Environmental Toxicology, Sri Paramakalyani Center for Excellence in Environmental Sciences, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Tirunelveli, India
| | - Kandaswamy Kalaivani
- Post Graduate and Research Center, Department of Zoology, Sri Parasakthi College for Women, Tirunelveli, India
| | - Wayne Brian Hunter
- U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory, United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Fort Pierce, FL, United States
| | - Patcharin Krutmuang
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Faculty of Agriculture, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.,Innovative Agriculture Research Center, Faculty of Agriculture, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
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Kalyandurg PB, Sundararajan P, Dubey M, Ghadamgahi F, Zahid MA, Whisson SC, Vetukuri RR. Spray-Induced Gene Silencing as a Potential Tool to Control Potato Late Blight Disease. PHYTOPATHOLOGY 2021; 111:2168-2175. [PMID: 33973799 DOI: 10.1094/phyto-02-21-0054-sc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Phytophthora infestans causes late blight disease on potato and tomato and is currently controlled by resistant cultivars or intensive fungicide spraying. Here, we investigated an alternative means for late blight control by spraying potato leaves with double-stranded RNAs (dsRNA) that target the P. infestans genes essential for infection. First, we showed that the sporangia of P. infestans expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) can take up in vitro synthesized dsRNAs homologous to GFP directly from their surroundings, including leaves, which led to the reduced relative expression of GFP. We further demonstrate the potential of spray-induced gene silencing (SIGS) in controlling potato late blight disease by targeting developmentally important genes in P. infestans such as guanine-nucleotide binding protein β-subunit (PiGPB1), haustorial membrane protein (PiHmp1), cutinase (PiCut3), and endo-1,3(4)-β-glucanase (PiEndo3). Our results demonstrate that SIGS can potentially be used to mitigate potato late blight; however, the degree of disease control is dependent on the selection of the target genes.[Formula: see text] Copyright © 2021 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pruthvi B Kalyandurg
- Department of Plant Breeding, Horticum, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Lomma 234 22, Sweden
| | - Poorva Sundararajan
- Department of Plant Breeding, Horticum, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Lomma 234 22, Sweden
| | - Mukesh Dubey
- Department of Forest Mycology and Plant Pathology, Uppsala Biocenter, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala 75651, Sweden
| | - Farideh Ghadamgahi
- Department of Plant Breeding, Horticum, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Lomma 234 22, Sweden
- Department of Crop Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, 9177948978 Mashhad-Iran, Iran
| | - Muhammad Awais Zahid
- Department of Plant Protection Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Lomma 234 22, Sweden
| | - Stephen C Whisson
- Cell and Molecular Sciences, The James Hutton Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee DD2 5DA, Scotland
| | - Ramesh R Vetukuri
- Department of Plant Breeding, Horticum, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Lomma 234 22, Sweden
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Nitnavare RB, Bhattacharya J, Singh S, Kour A, Hawkesford MJ, Arora N. Next Generation dsRNA-Based Insect Control: Success So Far and Challenges. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:673576. [PMID: 34733295 PMCID: PMC8558349 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.673576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi) is a method of gene silencing where dsRNA is digested into small interfering RNA (siRNA) in the presence of enzymes. These siRNAs then target homologous mRNA sequences aided by the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC). The mechanism of dsRNA uptake has been well studied and established across many living organisms including insects. In insects, RNAi is a novel and potential tool to develop future pest management means targeting various classes of insects including dipterans, coleopterans, hemipterans, lepidopterans, hymenopterans and isopterans. However, the extent of RNAi in individual class varies due to underlying mechanisms. The present review focuses on three major insect classes viz hemipterans, lepidopterans and coleopterans and the rationale behind this lies in the fact that studies pertaining to RNAi has been extensively performed in these groups. Additionally, these classes harbour major agriculturally important pest species which require due attention. Interestingly, all the three classes exhibit varying levels of RNAi efficiencies with the coleopterans exhibiting maximum response, while hemipterans are relatively inefficient. Lepidopterans on the other hand, show minimum response to RNAi. This has been attributed to many facts and few important being endosomal escape, high activity dsRNA-specific nucleases, and highly alkaline gut environment which renders the dsRNA unstable. Various methods have been established to ensure safe delivery of dsRNA into the biological system of the insect. The most common method for dsRNA administration is supplementing the diet of insects via spraying onto leaves and other commonly eaten parts of the plant. This method is environment-friendly and superior to the hazardous effects of pesticides. Another method involves submergence of root systems in dsRNA solutions and subsequent uptake by the phloem. Additionally, more recent techniques are nanoparticle- and Agrobacterium-mediated delivery systems. However, due to the novelty of these biotechnological methods and recalcitrant nature of certain crops, further optimization is required. This review emphasizes on RNAi developments in agriculturally important insect species and the major hurdles for efficient RNAi in these groups. The review also discusses in detail the development of new techniques to enhance RNAi efficiency using liposomes and nanoparticles, transplastomics, microbial-mediated delivery and chemical methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahul B. Nitnavare
- Division of Plant and Crop Sciences, School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
- Department of Plant Science, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, United Kingdom
| | - Joorie Bhattacharya
- International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Hyderabad, India
- Department of Genetics, Osmania University, Hyderabad, India
| | - Satnam Singh
- Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Regional Research Station, Faridkot, India
- Department of Biointeractions and Crop Protection, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, United Kingdom
| | - Amardeep Kour
- Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Regional Research Station, Bathinda, India
| | | | - Naveen Arora
- Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, India
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Kaur R, Choudhury A, Chauhan S, Ghosh A, Tiwari R, Rajam MV. RNA interference and crop protection against biotic stresses. PHYSIOLOGY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OF PLANTS : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FUNCTIONAL PLANT BIOLOGY 2021; 27:2357-2377. [PMID: 34744371 PMCID: PMC8526635 DOI: 10.1007/s12298-021-01064-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2021] [Revised: 08/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi) is a universal phenomenon of RNA silencing or gene silencing with broader implications in important physiological and developmental processes of most eukaryotes, including plants. Small RNA (sRNA) are the critical drivers of the RNAi machinery that ensures down-regulation of the target genes in a homology-dependent manner and includes small-interfering RNAs (siRNAs) and micro RNAs (miRNAs). Plant researchers across the globe have exploited the powerful technique of RNAi to execute targeted suppression of desired genes in important crop plants, with an intent to improve crop protection against pathogens and pests for sustainable crop production. Biotic stresses cause severe losses to the agricultural productivity leading to food insecurity for future generations. RNAi has majorly contributed towards the development of designer crops that are resilient towards the various biotic stresses such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, insect pests, and nematodes. This review summarizes the recent progress made in the RNAi-mediated strategies against these biotic stresses, along with new insights on the future directions in research involving RNAi for crop protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ranjeet Kaur
- Department of Genetics, University of Delhi South Campus, Benito Juarez Road, New Delhi, 110021 India
| | - Aparajita Choudhury
- Department of Genetics, University of Delhi South Campus, Benito Juarez Road, New Delhi, 110021 India
| | - Sambhavana Chauhan
- Department of Genetics, University of Delhi South Campus, Benito Juarez Road, New Delhi, 110021 India
| | - Arundhati Ghosh
- Department of Genetics, University of Delhi South Campus, Benito Juarez Road, New Delhi, 110021 India
| | - Ruby Tiwari
- Department of Genetics, University of Delhi South Campus, Benito Juarez Road, New Delhi, 110021 India
| | - Manchikatla Venkat Rajam
- Department of Genetics, University of Delhi South Campus, Benito Juarez Road, New Delhi, 110021 India
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Joga MR, Mogilicherla K, Smagghe G, Roy A. RNA Interference-Based Forest Protection Products (FPPs) Against Wood-Boring Coleopterans: Hope or Hype? FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:733608. [PMID: 34567044 PMCID: PMC8461336 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.733608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Forest insects are emerging in large extension in response to ongoing climatic changes, penetrating geographic barriers, utilizing novel hosts, and influencing many hectares of conifer forests worldwide. Current management strategies have been unable to keep pace with forest insect population outbreaks, and therefore novel and aggressive management strategies are urgently required to manage forest insects. RNA interference (RNAi), a Noble Prize-winning discovery, is an emerging approach that can be used for forest protection. The RNAi pathway is triggered by dsRNA molecules, which, in turn, silences genes and disrupts protein function, ultimately causing the death of the targeted insect. RNAi is very effective against pest insects; however, its proficiency varies significantly among insect species, tissues, and genes. The coleopteran forest insects are susceptible to RNAi and can be the initial target, but we lack practical means of delivery, particularly in systems with long-lived, endophagous insects such as the Emerald ash borer, Asian longhorn beetles, and bark beetles. The widespread use of RNAi in forest pest management has major challenges, including its efficiency, target gene selection, dsRNA design, lack of reliable dsRNA delivery methods, non-target and off-target effects, and potential resistance development in wood-boring pest populations. This review focuses on recent innovations in RNAi delivery that can be deployed against forest pests, such as cationic liposome-assisted (lipids), nanoparticle-enabled (polymers or peptides), symbiont-mediated (fungi, bacteria, and viruses), and plant-mediated deliveries (trunk injection, root absorption). Our findings guide future risk analysis of dsRNA-based forest protection products (FPPs) and risk assessment frameworks incorporating sequence complementarity-based analysis for off-target predictions. This review also points out barriers to further developing RNAi for forest pest management and suggests future directions of research that will build the future use of RNAi against wood-boring coleopterans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mallikarjuna Reddy Joga
- Excellent Team for Mitigation, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czechia
| | - Kanakachari Mogilicherla
- EVA.4 Unit, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czechia
| | - Guy Smagghe
- Laboratory of Agrozoology, Department of Plants and Crops, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Amit Roy
- Excellent Team for Mitigation, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czechia
- EVA.4 Unit, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czechia
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Hunter WB, Wintermantel WM. Optimizing Efficient RNAi-Mediated Control of Hemipteran Pests (Psyllids, Leafhoppers, Whitefly): Modified Pyrimidines in dsRNA Triggers. PLANTS 2021; 10:plants10091782. [PMID: 34579315 PMCID: PMC8472347 DOI: 10.3390/plants10091782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The advantages from exogenously applied RNAi biopesticides have yet to be realized in through commercialization due to inconsistent activity of the dsRNA trigger, and the activity level of RNAi suppression. This has prompted research on improving delivery methods for applying exogenous dsRNA into plants and insects for the management of pests and pathogens. Another aspect to improve RNAi activity is the incorporation of modified 2′-F pyrimidine nucleotides into the dsRNA trigger. Modified dsRNA incorporating 32–55% of the 2′-F- nucleotides produced improved RNAi activity that increased insect mortality by 12–35% greater than non-modified dsRNA triggers of the same sequence. These results were repeatable across multiple Hemiptera: the Asian citrus psyllid (Diaphorina citri, Liviidae); whitefly (Bemisia tabaci, Aleyroididae); and the glassy-winged sharpshooter (Homalodisca vitripennis, Cicadellidae). Studies using siRNA with modified 2′-F- pyrimidines in mammalian cells show they improved resistance to degradation from nucleases, plus result in greater RNAi activity, due to increase concentrations and improved binding affinity to the mRNA target. Successful RNAi biopesticides of the future will be able to increase RNAi repeatability in the field, by incorporating modifications of the dsRNA, such as 2′-F- pyrimidines, that will improve delivery after applied to fruit trees or crop plants, with increased activity after ingestion by insects. Costs of RNA modification have decreased significantly over the past few years such that biopesticides can now compete on pricing with commercial chemical products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wayne Brian Hunter
- U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Research Service, Subtropical Insects Res., Fort Pierce, FL 34945, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - William M. Wintermantel
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Research Service, Crop Improvement and Protection Research, Salinas, CA 93905, USA;
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Wing KD. Pharmaceutical technologies with potential application to insecticide discovery †. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2021; 77:3617-3625. [PMID: 32896085 DOI: 10.1002/ps.6075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2020] [Revised: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Novel neuroactive insecticides are discovered/registered differently, have a lower value in use, and exert their physiological actions in manners distinct from neuroactive pharmaceuticals, but there are clear similarities in their biochemical modes of action. Insecticides are generally discovered using whole pest insect screens, and this eases difficulties in 'translational science' from laboratory to field, as opposed to pharmaceutical translation from biochemical or cell-based targets to animal models to human clinical trials to registered drug. This paper examines recent trends in pharmaceutical science and identifies some technologies which may represent complementary approaches to insecticide discovery screening and mode of action determination beyond the sound processes in common practice today. Examples will be drawn from nanoparticle delivery of neuroactives, unique ligand-polymer conjugates, proposed advances in insect cell culture following from pharmaceutical cell biology, and laboratory or organ-on-a-chip approaches. It is hoped that these concepts will stimulate novel thinking which may enable discovery of efficacious new neuroactive insecticides. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keith D Wing
- Keith D. Wing Consulting, LLC, 122 Yardley Lane, Wilmington, DE, USA
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48
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Biotechnological advances with applicability in potatoes for resistance against root-knot nematodes. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2021; 70:226-233. [PMID: 34217954 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2021.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 06/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Potato production is negatively affected by root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.). There are no commercially available potato cultivars that are resistant to root-knot nematodes. To reduce the reliance on chemical controls, genetic engineering for nematode resistance in potato shows promise. Genetically modified potatoes that silence a parasitism gene or that express toxic protease inhibitors display reduced nematode infections. Modifying potato immune responses may also offer new opportunities for nematode resistance in potato. Plant defense elicitors, including those secreted by modified bacteria, enhanced resistance against root-knot nematodes in potato. The use of transgenic bacteria as delivery vehicles of defense-related molecules presents several possibilities for sophisticated nematode management and because this does not involve transgenic plants, it may garner greater public acceptance.
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Wang K, Cheng H, Chen J, Zhu G, Tang P, Han Z. Chimeric Double-Stranded RNAs Could Act as Tailor-Made Pesticides for Controlling Storage Insects. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2021; 69:6166-6171. [PMID: 34039005 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.1c00853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), the unique trigger of RNA interference, could be used as potential pesticides for the management of storage insects. High species specificity greatly improves the biosafety of dsRNAs. However, there are usually more than one insect species in real circumstances. In this study, we present a new strategy that broadens the control spectrum of a formulation using single dsRNA fragments. First, effective target genes were selected for each insect pest, here including Rhyzopertha dominica and Blattella germanica. Then, a template was prepared by conjugating various fragments from each of the selected genes. With this template, a piece of chimeric dsRNA was synthesized, and, thus, regional complementary specificity for genes from different insects was harnessed. Finally, injection treatments with this chimeric dsRNA demonstrated that each gene was selectively silenced, and the insects of both species were effectively killed by continuously feeding the chimeric dsRNA. Meanwhile, the results also demonstrated that the toxicity of chimeric dsRNA for non-target organisms, including Zophobas atratus and Periplaneta americana, could be low. This is the first description of a single dsRNA fragment accurately targeting several pest species, and the method provides promise of novel tailor-made biopesticides in the future management of storage insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kangxu Wang
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Modern Grain Circulation and Safety, College of Food Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Finance and Economics, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, People's Republic of China
| | - Hong Cheng
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Modern Grain Circulation and Safety, College of Food Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Finance and Economics, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiasheng Chen
- College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, People's Republic of China
| | - Guanheng Zhu
- School of Agriculture, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518107, People's Republic of China
| | - Peian Tang
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Modern Grain Circulation and Safety, College of Food Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Finance and Economics, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhaojun Han
- College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, People's Republic of China
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Gupta M, Singh S, Kaur G, Pandher S, Kaur N, Goel N, Kaur R, Rathore P. Transcriptome analysis unravels RNAi pathways genes and putative expansion of CYP450 gene family in cotton leafhopper Amrasca biguttula (Ishida). Mol Biol Rep 2021; 48:4383-4396. [PMID: 34091816 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-021-06453-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Cotton Leafhopper, Amrasca biguttula is an important pest of cotton and okra in the Indian subcontinent. Presently limited genomic/transcriptomic information is available for this insect in any of open source databases. The present study reports the first assembled and annotated de novo transcriptome of cotton leafhopper. Out of 75,551 transcripts, 39,613 CDS (Coding Sequence) were predicted with 35,282 showing positive blast hits with NCBI nr database. The Gene ontology (GO) analysis annotated 7431 CDS with KEGG pathway categorizing these CDS into 22 different functional groups. The majority of CDS were annotated in signal transduction and transport catabolism pathways. The sequence data was screened for RNAi pathway genes and presence of 37 transcripts associated with this process confirmed the existence of robust RNAi machinery. The role of core RNAi machinery genes (Dicer-2, Ago-2, Piwi and Staufen) has been validated through dsRNA feeding studies. The data resource has also been used to identify potential RNAi targets and genes associated with insecticide detoxification specifically CYP 450 family. The current study provides a useful sequence resource which can be used to initiate molecular studies in this insect with emphasis on insecticide resistance, RNAi and functional genomics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mridula Gupta
- Punjab Agricultural University, Regional Station, Circular Road, Faridko, 151203, Punjab, India.,Department of Poultry Sciences, Texas A & M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Satnam Singh
- Punjab Agricultural University, Regional Station, Circular Road, Faridko, 151203, Punjab, India.
| | - Gurmeet Kaur
- Punjab Agricultural University, Regional Station, Circular Road, Faridko, 151203, Punjab, India
| | - Suneet Pandher
- Punjab Agricultural University, Regional Station, Circular Road, Faridko, 151203, Punjab, India
| | | | - Neha Goel
- Forest Research Institute, Dehradun, 248195, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Ramandeep Kaur
- Punjab Agricultural University, Regional Station, Circular Road, Faridko, 151203, Punjab, India
| | - Pankaj Rathore
- Punjab Agricultural University, Regional Station, Circular Road, Faridko, 151203, Punjab, India
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