1
|
Stuehler DS, Hunter WB, Carrillo-Tarazona Y, Espitia H, Cicero JM, Bell T, Mann HR, Clarke SKV, Paris TM, Metz JL, D'Elia T, Qureshi JA, Cano LM. Wild lime psyllid Leuronota fagarae Burckhardt (Hemiptera: Psylloidea) picorna-like virus full genome annotation and classification. J Invertebr Pathol 2023; 201:107995. [PMID: 37748676 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2023.107995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
Picorna-like viruses of the order Picornavirales are a poorly defined group of positive-sense, single-stranded RNA viruses that include numerous pathogens known to infect plants, animals, and insects. A new picorna-like viral species was isolated from the wild lime psyllid (WLP), Leuronota fagarae, in the state of Florida, USA, and labelled: Leuronota fagarae picorna-like virus isolate FL (LfPLV-FL). The virus was found to have homology to a picorna-like virus identified in the Asian Citrus Psyllid (ACP), Diaphorina citri, collected in the state of Florida. Computational analysis of RNA extracts from WLP adult heads identified a 10,006-nucleotide sequence encoding a 2,942 amino acid polyprotein with similar functional domain structure to polyproteins of both Dicistroviridae and Iflaviridae. Sequence comparisons of nucleic acid and amino acid translations of the conserved RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, along with the entire N-terminal nonstructural coding region, provided insight into an evolutionary relationship of LfPLV-FL to insect-infecting iflaviruses. Viruses belonging to the family Iflaviridae encode a polyprotein of around 3000 amino acids in length that is processed post-translationally to produce components necessary for replication. The classification of a novel picorna-like virus in L. fagarae, with evolutionary characteristics similar to picorna-like viruses infecting Bactericera cockerelli and D. citri, provides an opportunity to examine virus host specificity, as well as identify critical components of the virus' genome required for successful transmission, infection, and replication. This bioinformatic classification allows for further insight into a novel virus species, and aids in the research of a closely related virus of the invasive psyllid, D. citri, a major pest of Floridian citriculture. The potential use of viral pathogens as expression vectors to manage the spread D. citri is an area that requires additional research; however, it may bring forth an effective control strategy to reduce the transmission of Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas), the causative agent of Huanglongbing (HLB).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Douglas S Stuehler
- ORISE Participant, DOE/USDA, ARS, Fort Pierce, FL 34945, USA; USDA, ARS, 2001 South Rock Road, Fort Pierce, FL 34945, USA.
| | - Wayne B Hunter
- USDA, ARS, 2001 South Rock Road, Fort Pierce, FL 34945, USA.
| | - Yisel Carrillo-Tarazona
- University of Florida, IFAS, Department of Plant Pathology, Indian River Research and Education Center, Fort Pierce, FL 34945, USA.
| | - Hector Espitia
- University of Florida, IFAS, Department of Plant Pathology, Indian River Research and Education Center, Fort Pierce, FL 34945, USA.
| | - Joseph M Cicero
- University of Florida, IFAS, Department of Plant Pathology, Indian River Research and Education Center, Fort Pierce, FL 34945, USA
| | - Tracey Bell
- Indian River State College, Fort Pierce, FL 34949, USA.
| | - Hannah R Mann
- Indian River State College, Fort Pierce, FL 34949, USA
| | | | - Thomson M Paris
- ORISE Participant, DOE/USDA, ARS, Fort Pierce, FL 34945, USA; USDA, ARS, 2001 South Rock Road, Fort Pierce, FL 34945, USA.
| | - Jackie L Metz
- University of Florida, IFAS, Department of Plant Pathology, Indian River Research and Education Center, Fort Pierce, FL 34945, USA.
| | - Tom D'Elia
- Department of Biology, Indian River State College, Fort Pierce, FL 34949, USA.
| | - Jawwad A Qureshi
- University of Florida, Southwest Florida Research and Education Center (SWFREC), 2685 SR 29 North Immokalee, FL 34142, USA.
| | - Liliana M Cano
- University of Florida, IFAS, Department of Plant Pathology, Indian River Research and Education Center, Fort Pierce, FL 34945, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Osborne CJ, Cohnstaedt LW, Silver KS. Outlook on RNAi-Based Strategies for Controlling Culicoides Biting Midges. Pathogens 2023; 12:1251. [PMID: 37887767 PMCID: PMC10610143 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12101251] [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: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Culicoides are small biting midges with the capacity to transmit important livestock pathogens around much of the world, and their impacts on animal welfare are likely to expand. Hemorrhagic diseases resulting from Culicoides-vectored viruses, for example, can lead to millions of dollars in economic damages for producers. Chemical insecticides can reduce Culicoides abundance but may not suppress population numbers enough to prevent pathogen transmission. These insecticides can also cause negative effects on non-target organisms and ecosystems. RNA interference (RNAi) is a cellular regulatory mechanism that degrades mRNA and suppresses gene expression. Studies have examined the utility of this mechanism for insect pest control, and with it, have described the hurdles towards producing, optimizing, and applying these RNAi-based products. These methods hold promise for being highly specific and environmentally benign when compared to chemical insecticides and are more transient than engineering transgenic insects. Given the lack of available control options for Culicoides, RNAi-based products could be an option to treat large areas with minimal environmental impact. In this study, we describe the state of current Culicoides control methods, successes and hurdles towards using RNAi for pest control, and the necessary research required to bring an RNAi-based control method to fruition for Culicoides midges.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cameron J. Osborne
- Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA;
| | - Lee W. Cohnstaedt
- Foreign Arthropod-Borne Animal Diseases Research Unit, National Bio- and Agro-Defense Facility, Agricultural Research Service, United Stated Department of Agriculture, Manhattan, KS 66502, USA
| | - Kristopher S. Silver
- Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA;
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
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.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kiran Singewar
- Thünen Institute of Forest Genetics, 22927, Großhansdorf, Germany.
| | - Matthias Fladung
- Thünen Institute of Forest Genetics, 22927, Großhansdorf, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Pei Y, Hao H, Zuo Y, Xue Y, Aioub AAA, Hu Z. Functional validation of CYP304A1 associated with haedoxan A detoxification in Aedes albopictus by RNAi and transgenic drosophila. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2023; 79:447-453. [PMID: 36175391 DOI: 10.1002/ps.7213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Revised: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Insect cytochrome P450 monooxygenases play important roles in the detoxification metabolism of endogenous and exogenous compounds. Haedoxan A (HA) from Phryma leptostachya L. is a highly efficient natural pesticide used to control houseflies and mosquitos. CYP4C21 and CYP304A1 were previously demonstrated to be transcriptionally increased in Aedes albopictus in response to HA exposure, but their involvement in HA metabolism is unknown. RESULTS Our data showed that CYP304A1 expression levels in A. albopictus were highest in third-instar larvae, and the expression level of CYP4C21 decreased significantly with the growth of instars, with the lowest occurring in the pupal stage. Compared with the control, the silencing of CYP304A1 and CYP4C21 genes by chitosan nanoparticle-mediated RNA interference could deplete 58.2% and 54.0% of the expression of corresponding genes, respectively. The bioassay data showed that knocking down the expression of CYP304A1 increased the mortality of A. albopictus when exposed to HA at LC30 and LC50 doses, but did not significantly increase mortality after silencing CYP4C21. Our data demonstrated that CYP304A1, but not CYP4C21, may be involved in HA detoxification. Moreover, the resistance ratio of CYP304A1 overexpressing flies was approximately 2-fold higher than that of the control line. The metabolized product of HA by CYP304A1 needs to be further confirmed by in vitro expression. CONCLUSION This finding showed that inducibility was not always linked to detoxifying capabilities, and enhanced our understanding of the molecular basis of HA metabolic detoxification in A. albopictus. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yakun Pei
- Institute of Pesticide Science, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
- Key Laboratory for Botanical Pesticide R&D of Shaanxi Province, Yangling, China
| | - Huanhuan Hao
- Institute of Pesticide Science, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
- Key Laboratory for Botanical Pesticide R&D of Shaanxi Province, Yangling, China
| | - Yayun Zuo
- Institute of Pesticide Science, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
- Key Laboratory for Botanical Pesticide R&D of Shaanxi Province, Yangling, China
| | - Yuxin Xue
- Institute of Pesticide Science, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
- Key Laboratory for Botanical Pesticide R&D of Shaanxi Province, Yangling, China
| | - Ahmed A A Aioub
- Plant Protection Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Zhaonong Hu
- Institute of Pesticide Science, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
- Key Laboratory for Botanical Pesticide R&D of Shaanxi Province, Yangling, China
- Key Laboratory of Crop Pest Integrated Pest Management on the Loess Plateau of Ministry of Agriculture, College of Plant Protection, Yangling, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Das PK, Panda G, Patra K, Jena N, Dash M. The role of polyplexes in developing a green sustainable approach in agriculture. RSC Adv 2022; 12:34463-34481. [PMID: 36545618 PMCID: PMC9709925 DOI: 10.1039/d2ra06541j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Rise in global population has increased the food demands and thus the competition among farmers to produce more and more. In the race to obtain higher productivity, farmers have resorted to injudicious farming practices that include the reckless use of nitrogenous fertilizers and intensive cropping on farmlands. Such practices have paved the path for large scale infestations of crops and plants by pests thus affecting the plant productivity and crop vigour. There are several traditional techniques to control pest infestations in plants such as the use of chemical or bio-pesticides, and integrated pest management practices which face several drawbacks. Delivery of gene/nucleic acid in plants through genetic engineering approaches is a more sustainable and effective method of protection against pests. The technology of RNA interference (RNAi) provides a sustainable solution to counter pest control problems faced by other traditional techniques. The RNAi technique involves delivery of dsDNA/dsRNA or other forms of nucleic acids into target organisms thereby bringing about gene silencing. However, RNAi is also limited to its use because of their susceptibility to degradation wherein the use of cationic polymers can provide a tangible solution. Cationic polymers form stable complexes with the nucleic acids known as "polyplexes", which may be attributed to their high positive charge densities thus protecting the exogenous nucleic acids from extracellular degradation. The current paper focuses on the utility of nucleic acids as a sustainable tool for pest control in crops and the use of cationic polymers for the efficient delivery of nucleic acids in pests thus protecting the plant from infestations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Nivedita Jena
- Institute of Life Sciences, DBT-ILSBhubaneswarOdishaIndia
| | - Mamoni Dash
- Institute of Life Sciences, DBT-ILSBhubaneswarOdishaIndia
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Bhoi TK, Samal I, Majhi PK, Komal J, Mahanta DK, Pradhan AK, Saini V, Nikhil Raj M, Ahmad MA, Behera PP, Ashwini M. Insight into aphid mediated Potato Virus Y transmission: A molecular to bioinformatics prospective. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:1001454. [PMID: 36504828 PMCID: PMC9729956 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1001454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Potato, the world's most popular crop is reported to provide a food source for nearly a billion people. It is prone to a number of biotic stressors that affect yield and quality, out of which Potato Virus Y (PVY) occupies the top position. PVY can be transmitted mechanically and by sap-feeding aphid vectors. The application of insecticide causes an increase in the resistant vector population along with detrimental effects on the environment; genetic resistance and vector-virus control are the two core components for controlling the deadly PVY. Using transcriptomic tools together with differential gene expression and gene discovery, several loci and genes associated with PVY resistance have been widely identified. To combat this virus we must increase our understanding on the molecular response of the PVY-potato plant-aphid interaction and knowledge of genome organization, as well as the function of PVY encoded proteins, genetic diversity, the molecular aspects of PVY transmission by aphids, and transcriptome profiling of PVY infected potato cultivars. Techniques such as molecular and bioinformatics tools can identify and monitor virus transmission. Several studies have been conducted to understand the molecular basis of PVY resistance/susceptibility interactions and their impact on PVY epidemiology by studying the interrelationship between the virus, its vector, and the host plant. This review presents current knowledge of PVY transmission, epidemiology, genome organization, molecular to bioinformatics responses, and its effective management.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tanmaya Kumar Bhoi
- Forest Protection Division, ICFRE-Arid Forest Research Institute (AFRI), Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Ipsita Samal
- Department of Entomology, Sri Sri University, Cuttack, Odisha, India
| | - Prasanta Kumar Majhi
- Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
| | - J. Komal
- Department of Entomology, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari, Gujarat, India,J. Komal
| | - Deepak Kumar Mahanta
- Department of Entomology, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Samastipur, India,*Correspondence: Deepak Kumar Mahanta
| | - Asit Kumar Pradhan
- Social Science Division, ICAR-National Rice Research Institute (NRRI), Cuttack, Odisha, India
| | - Varun Saini
- Division of Entomology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi, India
| | - M. Nikhil Raj
- Division of Entomology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi, India
| | - Mohammad Abbas Ahmad
- Department of Entomology, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Samastipur, India
| | | | - Mangali Ashwini
- Department of Entomology, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari, Gujarat, India
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Hough J, Howard JD, Brown S, Portwood DE, Kilby PM, Dickman MJ. Strategies for the production of dsRNA biocontrols as alternatives to chemical pesticides. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:980592. [PMID: 36299286 PMCID: PMC9588923 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.980592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Current crop pest control strategies rely on insecticidal and fungicidal sprays, plant genetic resistance, transgenes and agricultural practices. However, many insects, plant viruses, and fungi have no current means of control or have developed resistance against traditional pesticides. dsRNA is emerging as a novel sustainable method of plant protection as an alternative to traditional chemical pesticides. The successful commercialisation of dsRNA based biocontrols for effective pest management strategies requires the economical production of large quantities of dsRNA combined with suitable delivery methods to ensure RNAi efficacy against the target pest. A number of methods exist for the production and delivery of dsRNA based biocontrols and here we review alternative methods currently employed and emerging new approaches for their production. Additionally, we highlight potential challenges that will need to be addressed prior to widespread adoption of dsRNA biocontrols as novel sustainable alternatives to traditional chemical pesticides.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- James Hough
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingtom
| | - John D Howard
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingtom
| | - Stephen Brown
- Sheffield RNAi Screening Facility, School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingtom
| | - David E Portwood
- Syngenta, Jealott's Hill International Research Centre, Bracknell, United Kingdom
| | - Peter M Kilby
- Syngenta, Jealott's Hill International Research Centre, Bracknell, United Kingdom
| | - Mark J Dickman
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingtom
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
An X, Zhang W, Ye C, Smagghe G, Wang JJ, Niu J. Discovery of a widespread presence bunyavirus that may have symbiont-like relationships with different species of aphids. INSECT SCIENCE 2022; 29:1120-1134. [PMID: 34874617 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.12989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Revised: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Aphids are important agricultural pests, vectors of many plant viruses and have sophisticated relationships with symbiotic microorganisms. Abundant asymptomatic RNA viruses have been reported in aphids due to the application of RNA-seq, but aphid-virus interactions remain unclear. Bunyavirales is the most abundant RNA virus order, which can infect mammals, arthropods, and plants. However, many bunyaviruses have specific hosts, such as insects. Here, we discovered 18 viruses from 10 aphid species by RNA-seq. Importantly, a widespread presence bunyavirus, Aphid bunyavirus 1 (ABV-1), was determined to have a wide host range, infecting and replicating in all 10 tested aphid species. ABV-1 may be transmitted horizontally during feeding on plant leaves and vertically through reproduction. In a comparison of the physiological parameters of ABV-1high and ABV-1low strains of pea aphid, higher ABV-1 titers reduced the total nymphal duration and induced the reproduction. Moreover, viral titer significantly affected the lipid and protein contents in pea aphids. In summary, we proposed that ABV-1 may have stable symbiont-like relationships with aphids, and these observations may provide a new direction for studying bunyaviruses in aphids and establishing a model for virus-aphid interactions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xin An
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- International Joint Laboratory of China-Belgium on Sustainable Crop Pest Control, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- International Joint Laboratory of China-Belgium on Sustainable Crop Pest Control, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Chao Ye
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- International Joint Laboratory of China-Belgium on Sustainable Crop Pest Control, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Guy Smagghe
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- International Joint Laboratory of China-Belgium on Sustainable Crop Pest Control, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Department of Plants and Crops, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jin-Jun Wang
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- International Joint Laboratory of China-Belgium on Sustainable Crop Pest Control, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jinzhi Niu
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- International Joint Laboratory of China-Belgium on Sustainable Crop Pest Control, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Kolliopoulou A, Kontogiannatos D, Mazurek AJ, Prifti I, Christopoulou VM, Labropoulou V, Swevers L. Analysis of luciferase dsRNA production during baculovirus infection of Hi5 cells: RNA hairpins expressed by very late promoters do not trigger gene silencing. FRONTIERS IN INSECT SCIENCE 2022; 2:959077. [PMID: 38468767 PMCID: PMC10926400 DOI: 10.3389/finsc.2022.959077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
The baculovirus expression vector system (BEVS) has become an important platform for the expression of recombinant proteins and is especially useful for the production of large protein complexes such as virus-like particles (VLPs). An important application for VLPs is their use as vehicles for targeted delivery of drugs or toxins which requires the development of methods for efficient loading with the intended cargo. Our research intends to employ the BEVS for the production of VLPs for the delivery of insecticidal dsRNA molecules to targeted insect pests (as "dsRNA-VLPs"). A convenient strategy would be the co-expression of long dsRNAs with viral capsid proteins and their simultaneous encapsulation during VLP assembly but the capacity of the BEVS for the production of long dsRNA has not been assessed so far. In this study, the efficiency of production of long RNA hairpins targeting the luciferase gene ("dsLuc") by the polyhedrin promoter during baculovirus infection was evaluated. However, RNAi reporter assays could not detect significant amounts of dsLuc in Hi5 cells infected with recombinant baculovirus, even in the presence of co-expressed dsRNA-binding protein B2-GFP or the employment of the MS2-MCP system. Nevertheless, dot blot analyses using anti-dsRNA antibody revealed that baculovirus-mediated expression of B2-GFP resulted in significant increases in dsRNA levels in infected cells that may correspond to hybridized complementary viral transcripts. Using B2-GFP as a genetically encoded sensor, dsRNA foci were detected in the nuclei that partially co-localized with DAPI staining, consistent with their localization at the virogenic stroma. Co-localization experiments with the baculovirus proteins vp39, Ac93, ODV-E25 and gp64 indicated limited overlap between B2-GFP and the ring zone compartment where assembly of nucleocapsids and virions occurs. Stability experiments showed that exogenous dsRNA is resistant to degradation in extracts of non-infected and infected Hi5 cells and it is proposed that strong unwinding activity at the virogenic stroma in the infected nuclei may neutralize the annealing of complementary RNA strands and block the production of long dsRNAs. Because the strong stability of exogenous dsRNA, transfection can be explored as an alternative method for delivery of cargo for dsRNA-VLPs during their assembly in baculovirus-infected Hi5 cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Kolliopoulou
- Insect Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology, Institute of Biosciences and Applications, National Centre for Scientific Research “Demokritos”, Athens, Greece
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of West Attica, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Kontogiannatos
- Insect Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology, Institute of Biosciences and Applications, National Centre for Scientific Research “Demokritos”, Athens, Greece
| | - Aleksander Józef Mazurek
- Insect Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology, Institute of Biosciences and Applications, National Centre for Scientific Research “Demokritos”, Athens, Greece
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of West Attica, Athens, Greece
| | - Izabela Prifti
- Insect Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology, Institute of Biosciences and Applications, National Centre for Scientific Research “Demokritos”, Athens, Greece
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of West Attica, Athens, Greece
| | - Vasiliki-Maria Christopoulou
- Insect Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology, Institute of Biosciences and Applications, National Centre for Scientific Research “Demokritos”, Athens, Greece
| | - Vassiliki Labropoulou
- Insect Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology, Institute of Biosciences and Applications, National Centre for Scientific Research “Demokritos”, Athens, Greece
| | - Luc Swevers
- Insect Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology, Institute of Biosciences and Applications, National Centre for Scientific Research “Demokritos”, Athens, Greece
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
De Miccolis Angelini RM, Raguseo C, Rotolo C, Gerin D, Faretra F, Pollastro S. The Mycovirome in a Worldwide Collection of the Brown Rot Fungus Monilinia fructicola. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8050481. [PMID: 35628739 PMCID: PMC9147972 DOI: 10.3390/jof8050481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The fungus Monilinia fructicola is responsible for brown rot on stone and pome fruit and causes heavy yield losses both pre- and post-harvest. Several mycoviruses are known to infect fungal plant pathogens. In this study, a metagenomic approach was applied to obtain a comprehensive characterization of the mycovirome in a worldwide collection of 58 M. fructicola strains. Deep sequencing of double-stranded (ds)RNA extracts revealed a great abundance and variety of mycoviruses. A total of 32 phylogenetically distinct positive-sense (+) single-stranded (ss)RNA viruses were identified. They included twelve mitoviruses, one in the proposed family Splipalmiviridae, and twelve botourmiaviruses (phylum Lenarviricota), eleven of which were novel viral species; two hypoviruses, three in the proposed family Fusariviridae, and one barnavirus (phylum Pisuviricota); as well as one novel beny-like virus (phylum Kitrinoviricota), the first one identified in Ascomycetes. A partial sequence of a new putative ssDNA mycovirus related to viruses within the Parvoviridae family was detected in a M. fructicola isolate from Serbia. The availability of genomic sequences of mycoviruses will serve as a solid basis for further research aimed at deepening the knowledge on virus–host and virus–virus interactions and to explore their potential as biocontrol agents against brown rot disease.
Collapse
|
11
|
Can Virus-like Particles Be Used as Synergistic Agent in Pest Management? Viruses 2022; 14:v14050943. [PMID: 35632685 PMCID: PMC9144638 DOI: 10.3390/v14050943] [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: 03/23/2022] [Revised: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Among novel strategies proposed in pest management, synergistic agents are used to improve insecticide efficacy through an elevation of intracellular calcium concentration that activates the calcium-dependent intracellular pathway. This leads to a changed target site conformation and to increased sensitivity to insecticides while reducing their concentrations. Because virus-like particles (VLPs) increase the intracellular calcium concentration, they can be used as a synergistic agent to synergize the effect of insecticides. VLPs are self-assembled viral protein complexes, and by contrast to entomopathogen viruses, they are devoid of genetic material, which makes them non-infectious and safer than viruses. Although VLPs are well-known to be used in human health, we propose in this study the development of a promising strategy based on the use of VLPs as synergistic agents in pest management. This will lead to increased insecticides efficacy while reducing their concentrations.
Collapse
|
12
|
RNA Interference-Based Pesticides and Antiviral Agents: Microbial Overproduction Systems for Double-Stranded RNA for Applications in Agriculture and Aquaculture. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/app12062954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi)-based pesticides are pest control agents that use RNAi mechanisms as the basis of their action. They are regarded as environmentally friendly and are a promising alternative to conventional chemical pesticides. The effective substance in RNAi-based pesticides is double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) designed to match the nucleotide sequence of a target essential gene of the pest of concern. When taken up by the pest, this exerts an RNAi effect and inhibits some vital biochemical/biological process in the pest. dsRNA products are also expected to be applied for the control of viral diseases in aquaculture by RNAi, especially in shrimp farming. A critical issue in the practical application of RNAi agents is that production of the dsRNA must be low-cost. Here, we review recent methods for microbial production of dsRNAs using representative microorganisms (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas syringae, Corynebacterium glutamicum, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, and others) as host strains. The characteristics of each dsRNA production system are discussed.
Collapse
|
13
|
Enhancing the Biocontrol Potential of the Entomopathogenic Fungus in Multiple Respects via the Overexpression of a Transcription Factor Gene MaSom1. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8020105. [PMID: 35205860 PMCID: PMC8879238 DOI: 10.3390/jof8020105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Entomopathogenic fungi play important roles in the control of populations of agricultural and disease vector pests in nature. The shortcomings of mycoinsecticides for pest management in the field cannot be completely overcome by improving single biocontrol properties of fungi. Therefore, enhancing the biocontrol potential of entomopathogenic fungi in multiple respects by genetic engineering is desirable. Transcription factors are usually involved in various important processes during fungal growth and pathogenesis via regulating a series of genes, and are important candidates for fungal improvement via genetic engineering. Herein, overexpression of MaSom1, a key transcription factor gene in the cAMP/PKA pathway, improves the biocontrol traits of Metarhizium acridum in multiple respects. When compared with WT, the MaSom1-overexpression strains exhibit enhanced tolerances to UV-B and heat shock, with increased mean 50% inhibition times by 66.9% and 155.2%, respectively. Advanced conidiation emerged accompanied by increased conidial yield up to 3.89 times after 3-day incubation for the MaSom1-overexpression strains compared to WT. Furthermore, when compared with WT, the virulence of the MaSom1-overexpression strains was also increased with the mean 50% lethality times reduced by 21.8% to 23.8%. Taken together, the MaSom1-overexpression improved the biocontrol potential of M. acridum in multiple respects. Our results provide insights into the application of key transcription factors for genetic engineering and offer a credible way to further improve the biocontrol potential of entomopathogenic fungi.
Collapse
|
14
|
Swevers L, Kontogiannatos D, Kolliopoulou A, Ren F, Feng M, Sun J. Mechanisms of Cell Entry by dsRNA Viruses: Insights for Efficient Delivery of dsRNA and Tools for Improved RNAi-Based Pest Control. Front Physiol 2021; 12:749387. [PMID: 34858204 PMCID: PMC8632066 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.749387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
While RNAi is often heralded as a promising new strategy for insect pest control, a major obstacle that still remains is the efficient delivery of dsRNA molecules within the cells of the targeted insects. However, it seems overlooked that dsRNA viruses already have developed efficient strategies for transport of dsRNA molecules across tissue barriers and cellular membranes. Besides protecting their dsRNA genomes in a protective shell, dsRNA viruses also display outer capsid layers that incorporate sophisticated mechanisms to disrupt the plasma membrane layer and to translocate core particles (with linear dsRNA genome fragments) within the cytoplasm. Because of the perceived efficiency of the translocation mechanism, it is well worth analyzing in detail the molecular processes that are used to achieve this feat. In this review, the mechanism of cell entry by dsRNA viruses belonging to the Reoviridae family is discussed in detail. Because of the large amount of progress in mammalian versus insect models, the mechanism of infections of reoviruses in mammals (orthoreoviruses, rotaviruses, orbiviruses) will be treated as a point of reference against which infections of reoviruses in insects (orbiviruses in midges, plant viruses in hemipterans, insect-specific cypoviruses in lepidopterans) will be compared. The goal of this discussion is to uncover the basic principles by which dsRNA viruses cross tissue barriers and translocate their cargo to the cellular cytoplasm; such knowledge subsequently can be incorporated into the design of dsRNA virus-based viral-like particles for optimal delivery of RNAi triggers in targeted insect pests.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luc Swevers
- Insect Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology, Institute of Biosciences and Applications, National Centre for Scientific Research “Demokritos”, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Kontogiannatos
- Insect Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology, Institute of Biosciences and Applications, National Centre for Scientific Research “Demokritos”, Athens, Greece
| | - Anna Kolliopoulou
- Insect Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology, Institute of Biosciences and Applications, National Centre for Scientific Research “Demokritos”, Athens, Greece
| | - Feifei Ren
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Min Feng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jingchen Sun
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Hernández-Soto A, Chacón-Cerdas R. RNAi Crop Protection Advances. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:12148. [PMID: 34830030 PMCID: PMC8625170 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222212148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
RNAi technology is a versatile, effective, safe, and eco-friendly alternative for crop protection. There is plenty of evidence of its use through host-induced gene silencing (HIGS) and emerging evidence that spray-induced gene silencing (SIGS) techniques can work as well to control viruses, bacteria, fungi, insects, and nematodes. For SIGS, its most significant challenge is achieving stability and avoiding premature degradation of RNAi in the environment or during its absorption by the target organism. One alternative is encapsulation in liposomes, virus-like particles, polyplex nanoparticles, and bioclay, which can be obtained through the recombinant production of RNAi in vectors, transgenesis, and micro/nanoencapsulation. The materials must be safe, biodegradable, and stable in multiple chemical environments, favoring the controlled release of RNAi. Most of the current research on encapsulated RNAi focuses primarily on oral delivery to control insects by silencing essential genes. The regulation of RNAi technology focuses on risk assessment using different approaches; however, this technology has positive economic, environmental, and human health implications for its use in agriculture. The emergence of alternatives combining RNAi gene silencing with the induction of resistance in crops by elicitation and metabolic control is expected, as well as multiple silencing and biotechnological optimization of its large-scale production.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Hernández-Soto
- Doctorado en Ciencia Naturales para el Desarrollo (DOCINADE), Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica, Universidad Nacional, Universidad Estatal a Distancia, Cartago P.O. Box 159-7050, Costa Rica
- Costa Rica Institute of Technology, Biology School, Biotechnology Research Center, Cartago P.O. Box 159-7050, Costa Rica;
| | - Randall Chacón-Cerdas
- Costa Rica Institute of Technology, Biology School, Biotechnology Research Center, Cartago P.O. Box 159-7050, Costa Rica;
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
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.
Collapse
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
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Salvador R, Maskin L, Niz J, Turica M, Pedarros A, Hopp E, Lewi D. RNAi Expression in Cotton for Control of Herbivorous Insects. METHODS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY (CLIFTON, N.J.) 2021; 2360:217-233. [PMID: 34495518 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1633-8_17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Cultivated cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) is heavily attacked by various species of insects worldwide and breeding of new varieties resistant to pests is still a hard battle to win. RNAi technology is an important reverse genetics tool to induce gene silencing in eukaryotic organisms and produce phenotypic modifications. In cotton, RNAi was applied to investigate gene function and enhance resistance to insects and pathogens. Different methods and techniques can be used to synthetize double stranded RNA (dsRNA) into plant cells. The Agrobacterium-mediated transformation is a common method to introduce RNAi binary plasmids into cotton genome and obtain stable transgenics plants. This methodology includes the coculture of cotton tissues with Agrobacterium cultures, selection of transgenic cells and induction of somatic embryogenesis to finally obtain transgenic plants after a relatively long period of time. The transient synthesis of dsRNA mediated by virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) in cotton is an alternative to anticipate the silencing effect of a specific RNA sequence, prior to the development of a stable transgenic plant. VIGS vectors are incorporated into the plant by agroinfiltration technique. During VIGS replication inside plant cells, synthetized dsRNA allows the study on specific heterologous gene expression including the phenotypic effect on herbivorous target pests, thus facilitating a rapid evaluation of dsRNA expressed in cotton plants against individual insect target genes. Here we describe the complementation of these two techniques to evaluate RNAi-based cotton plant protection against insect pests.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo Salvador
- Instituto de Microbiología y Zoología Agrícola (IMYZA-CICVyA), INTA, Hurlingham, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Laura Maskin
- Instituto de Genética (IGEAF-CICVyA), INTA, Hurlingham, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - José Niz
- Instituto de Microbiología y Zoología Agrícola (IMYZA-CICVyA), INTA, Hurlingham, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Mariana Turica
- Instituto de Genética (IGEAF-CICVyA), INTA, Hurlingham, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Analía Pedarros
- Instituto de Microbiología y Zoología Agrícola (IMYZA-CICVyA), INTA, Hurlingham, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Esteban Hopp
- IABIMO-Instituto de Biotecnología (IB-CICVyA), INTA-CONICET, Hurlingham, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Laboratorio de Agrobiotecnología, DFBMC, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Dalia Lewi
- Instituto de Genética (IGEAF-CICVyA), INTA, Hurlingham, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
RNAs - a new frontier in crop protection. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2021; 70:204-212. [PMID: 34217122 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2021.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Revised: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Small RNA (sRNA)-mediated RNA interference (RNAi) is a regulatory mechanism conserved in almost all eukaryotes. sRNAs play a critical role in host pathogen interactions either endogenously or by traveling between the interacting organisms and inducing 'cross-Kingdom RNAi' in the counterparty. Cross-kingdom RNAi is the mechanistic basis of host-induced gene silencing (HIGS), which relies on genetically expressing pathogen-gene targeting RNAs in crops, and has been successfully utilized against both microbial pathogens and pests. HIGS is limited by the need to produce genetically engineered crops. Recent studies have demonstrated that double-stranded RNAs and sRNAs can be efficiently taken up by many fungal pathogens, and induce gene silencing in fungal cells. This mechanism, termed 'environmental RNAi', allows direct application of pathogen-gene targeting RNAs onto crops to silence fungal virulence-related genes for plant protection. In this review, we will focus on how we can leverage cross-kingdom RNAi and environmental RNAi for crop disease control.
Collapse
|
19
|
Silver K, Cooper AM, Zhu KY. Strategies for enhancing the efficiency of RNA interference in insects. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2021; 77:2645-2658. [PMID: 33440063 DOI: 10.1002/ps.6277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Revised: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Low RNA interference (RNAi) efficiency in many insect pests has significantly prevented its widespread application for insect pest management. This article provides a comprehensive review of recent research in developing various strategies for enhancing RNAi efficiency. Our review focuses on the strategies in target gene selection and double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) delivery technologies. For target gene selection, genome-wide or large-scale screening strategies have been used to identify most susceptible target genes for RNAi. Other strategies include the design of dsRNA constructs and manipulate the structure of dsRNA to maximize the RNA efficiency for a target gene. For dsRNA delivery strategies, much recent research has focused on the applications of complexed or encapsulated dsRNA using various reagents, polymers, or peptides to enhance dsRNA stability and cellular uptake. Other dsRNA delivery strategies include genetic engineering of microbes (e.g. fungi, bacteria, and viruses) and plants to produce insect-specific dsRNA. The ingestion of the dsRNA-producing organisms or tissues will have lethal or detrimental effects on the target insect pests. This article also identifies obstacles to further developing RNAi for insect pest management and suggests future avenues of research that will maximize the potential for using RNAi for insect pest management. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kristopher Silver
- Department of Entomology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA
| | | | - Kun Yan Zhu
- Department of Entomology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Santos D, Remans S, Van den Brande S, Vanden Broeck J. RNAs on the Go: Extracellular Transfer in Insects with Promising Prospects for Pest Management. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 10:484. [PMID: 33806650 PMCID: PMC8001424 DOI: 10.3390/plants10030484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Revised: 02/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
RNA-mediated pathways form an important regulatory layer of myriad biological processes. In the last decade, the potential of RNA molecules to contribute to the control of agricultural pests has not been disregarded, specifically via the RNA interference (RNAi) mechanism. In fact, several proofs-of-concept have been made in this scope. Furthermore, a novel research field regarding extracellular RNAs and RNA-based intercellular/interorganismal communication is booming. In this article, we review key discoveries concerning extracellular RNAs in insects, insect RNA-based cell-to-cell communication, and plant-insect transfer of RNA. In addition, we overview the molecular mechanisms implicated in this form of communication and discuss future biotechnological prospects, namely from the insect pest-control perspective.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dulce Santos
- Research Group of Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction, Division of Animal Physiology and Neurobiology, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (S.R.); (S.V.d.B.); (J.V.B.)
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
21
|
Silva LAD, Ardisson-Araújo DMP, de Camargo BR, de Souza ML, Ribeiro BM. A novel cypovirus found in a betabaculovirus co-infection context contains a poxvirus immune nuclease (poxin)-related gene. J Gen Virol 2020; 101:667-675. [PMID: 32375954 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.001413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The cassava hornworm Erinnyis ello ello (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae) is an important pest in Brazil. This insect feeds on host plants of several species, especially Manihot esculenta (cassava) and Hevia brasiliensis (rubber tree). Cassava hornworm outbreaks are quite common in Brazil and can cause great impact over crop production. Granulare and polyhedral-shaped occlusion bodies (OBs) were observed in extracts of dead E. ello larvae from rubber-tree plantations by light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), suggesting a mixed infection. The polyhedral-shaped OB surface revealed indentations that resemble those found in cypovirus polyhedra. After OB nucleic acid extraction followed by cDNA production and Illumina deep-sequencing analysis, the results confirmed for the presence of a putative novel cypovirus that carries ten segments and also a betabaculovirus (Erinnyis ello granulovirus, ErelGV). Phylogenetic analysis of the predicted segment 1-enconded RdRP showed that the new cypovirus isolate is closely related to a member of species Cypovirus 2, which was isolated from Inachis io (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae). Therefore, we named this new isolate Erinnyis ello cypovirus 2 (ErelCPV-2). Genome in silico analyses showed that ErelCPV-2 segment 8 (S8) has a predicted amino acid identity of 35.82 % to a hypothetical protein of betabaculoviruses. This putative protein has a cGAMP-specific nuclease domain related to the poxvirus immune nucleases (poxins) from the 2',3'-cGAMP-degrading enzyme family.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo A da Silva
- Cell Biology Department, Laboratory of Baculovirus, University of Brasília, 70910-900, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Daniel M P Ardisson-Araújo
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Laboratory of Insect Viruses, University of Santa Maria, 97105-900, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Brenda R de Camargo
- Enzymology Laboratory, Department of Cellular Biology, University of Brasília, Brasilia, DF, Brazil
| | - Marlinda Lobo de Souza
- Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, Biological Station Park, 70770-917 Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Bergmann M Ribeiro
- Cell Biology Department, Laboratory of Baculovirus, University of Brasília, 70910-900, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Munawar K, Alahmed AM, Khalil SMS. Delivery Methods for RNAi in Mosquito Larvae. JOURNAL OF INSECT SCIENCE (ONLINE) 2020; 20:5877674. [PMID: 32725159 PMCID: PMC7387866 DOI: 10.1093/jisesa/ieaa074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2020] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Mosquito-transmitted diseases pose a threat for a great portion of the world population. Chemical insecticides are the main tool for mosquito control. Heavy dependence on chemicals created several problems such as resistance development in many mosquito species, environmental effects, and human health issues. Other tools for mosquito control were developed and used in some parts of the world. Ribonucleic acid interference (RNAi) is a reverse genetic mechanism that was recently introduced as a new tool for pest control. Regarding mosquito, RNAi was used to study gene function and to discover genes that can be used as targets for control purposes. Several delivery methods are used to induce RNAi in mosquito larvae. Some methods such as injection and soaking are used routinely in RNAi research but have no application in the field. Other methods such as nanoparticles and microbes have some characteristics that make them good candidates for field application. In this report, we will focus on delivery methods for RNAi in mosquito larvae and will give examples for each method.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kashif Munawar
- Plant Protection Department, College of Food and Agricultural Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Azzam M Alahmed
- Plant Protection Department, College of Food and Agricultural Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sayed M S Khalil
- Plant Protection Department, College of Food and Agricultural Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Agricultural Genetic Engineering Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Giza, Egypt
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Ali M, Javaid A, Naqvi SH, Batcho A, Kayani WK, Lal A, Sajid IA, Nwogwugwu JO. Biotic stress triggered small RNA and RNAi defense response in plants. Mol Biol Rep 2020; 47:5511-5522. [PMID: 32562176 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-020-05583-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The yield of crops is largely affected by different types of biotic stresses. To minimize the damage, crop plants adapted themselves to overcome the stress conditions through gene expression reprogramming at transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. With a better knowledge of plants' responses in adverse environments, new methodologies and strategies have been applied to develop better stress-tolerant plants. In this manner, small RNAs (micro RNA and small-interfering RNA) are reported to play a central role to combat biotic stresses in plants. Depending upon the stress stimuli, these small RNAs can up or down regulate the genes expression, that indicate their potential role in overcoming the stress. These stress-induced small RNAs may reduce the expression of the target gene(s) that might negatively influence plants' response to the adverse conditions. Contrariwise, miRNA, a class of small RNA, can downregulate its expression to upregulate the expression of the target gene(s), which might positively aid to the stress adaptation. Along with this, benefits of RNA interference (RNAi) have also been stated in functional genomic research on insects, fungi and plant pathogens. RNAi is involved in the safe transport of dsRNA to the targeted mRNA(s) in the biotic stress-causing agents (for example fungi and insects) and saves the plant from damage, which is a safer approach compared to use of chemical pesticides. The current review summarizes the role of small RNAs and the use of RNAi to save the plants from biotic stress conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohsin Ali
- School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Hefei, 230027, Anhui, China.
- Department of Bioinformatics & Biotechnology, International Islamic University, Islamabad, 44000, Pakistan.
| | - Ayesha Javaid
- School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Hefei, 230027, Anhui, China
| | - Sajid Hassan Naqvi
- Department of Bioinformatics & Biotechnology, International Islamic University, Islamabad, 44000, Pakistan
| | - Anicet Batcho
- Division of Plant Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture and Environmental Science, Catholic University of the West Africa, Cotonou, Benin
| | - Waqas Khan Kayani
- Department of Plant Breeding, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, PO Box 101, 23053, Alnarp, Sweden
| | - Aamir Lal
- Department of Integrative Biotechnology, Sungkyunkwan University Natural Sciences Campus, Suwon, Gyeonggi-do, 16419, South Korea
| | - Imtiaz Ahmad Sajid
- Institute of Biotechnology, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Joy O Nwogwugwu
- Pathology Section, Department of Forest Conservation and Protection, Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, Ibadan, Nigeria
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Uslu VV, Wassenegger M. Critical view on RNA silencing-mediated virus resistance using exogenously applied RNA. Curr Opin Virol 2020; 42:18-24. [PMID: 32371359 DOI: 10.1016/j.coviro.2020.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2020] [Revised: 03/17/2020] [Accepted: 03/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
In almost all eukaryotes, RNA interference (RNAi) is a natural defence mechanism against foreign nucleic acids, including transposons and viruses. It is generally triggered by long double stranded RNA molecules (dsRNA, >50bp) that are processed into small interfering RNAs (siRNAs). RNAi can be artificially activated by the expression of RNAi triggers through viruses (virus-induced gene silencing, VIGS) and transgenes. Moreover, for almost 10 years, exogenous RNA application methods are developed as tools to induce RNAi in plants. In this review, exogenous RNA application techniques having the potential to activate RNAi with a focus on RNAi-mediated virus resistance will be discussed. Limitations of exogenous RNA applications, targeting of virus vectors and open questions related to mechanistic details that still require further investigation will be pointed out.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Veli V Uslu
- RLP AgroScience, AlPlanta - Institute for Plant Research, 67435 Neustadt, Germany
| | - Michael Wassenegger
- RLP AgroScience, AlPlanta - Institute for Plant Research, 67435 Neustadt, Germany; Centre for Organismal Studies (COS) Heidelberg, University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Christiaens O, Whyard S, Vélez AM, Smagghe G. Double-Stranded RNA Technology to Control Insect Pests: Current Status and Challenges. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2020; 11:451. [PMID: 32373146 PMCID: PMC7187958 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2020.00451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2019] [Accepted: 03/26/2020] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Exploiting the RNA interference (RNAi) gene mechanism to silence essential genes in pest insects, leading to toxic effects, has surfaced as a promising new control strategy in the past decade. While the first commercial RNAi-based products are currently coming to market, the application against a wide range of insect species is still hindered by a number of challenges. In this review, we discuss the current status of these RNAi-based products and the different delivery strategies by which insects can be targeted by the RNAi-triggering double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) molecules. Furthermore, this review also addresses a number of physiological and cellular barriers, which can lead to decreased RNAi efficacy in insects. Finally, novel non-transgenic delivery technologies, such as polymer or liposomic nanoparticles, peptide-based delivery vehicles and viral-like particles, are also discussed, as these could overcome these barriers and lead to effective RNAi-based pest control.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Steve Whyard
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Ana M. Vélez
- Department of Entomology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, United States
| | - Guy Smagghe
- Department of Plants and Crops, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Demchuk AM, Patel TR. The biomedical and bioengineering potential of protein nanocompartments. Biotechnol Adv 2020; 41:107547. [PMID: 32294494 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2020.107547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2019] [Revised: 03/21/2020] [Accepted: 04/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Protein nanocompartments (PNCs) are self-assembling biological nanocages that can be harnessed as platforms for a wide range of nanobiotechnology applications. The most widely studied examples of PNCs include virus-like particles, bacterial microcompartments, encapsulin nanocompartments, enzyme-derived nanocages (such as lumazine synthase and the E2 component of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex), ferritins and ferritin homologues, small heat shock proteins, and vault ribonucleoproteins. Structural PNC shell proteins are stable, biocompatible, and tolerant of both interior and exterior chemical or genetic functionalization for use as vaccines, therapeutic delivery vehicles, medical imaging aids, bioreactors, biological control agents, emulsion stabilizers, or scaffolds for biomimetic materials synthesis. This review provides an overview of the recent biomedical and bioengineering advances achieved with PNCs with a particular focus on recombinant PNC derivatives.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aubrey M Demchuk
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, 4401 University Drive West, Lethbridge, AB, Canada.
| | - Trushar R Patel
- Alberta RNA Research and Training Institute, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Lethbridge, 4401 University Drive West, Lethbridge, AB, Canada; Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Cumming, School of Medicine, University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr. N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada; Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology and Discovery Lab, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, 6-010 Katz Center for Health Research, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Liu S, Jaouannet M, Dempsey DA, Imani J, Coustau C, Kogel KH. RNA-based technologies for insect control in plant production. Biotechnol Adv 2020; 39:107463. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2019.107463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2019] [Revised: 10/24/2019] [Accepted: 10/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
|
28
|
Swevers L, Feng M, Ren F, Sun J. Antiviral defense against Cypovirus 1 (Reoviridae) infection in the silkworm, Bombyx mori. ARCHIVES OF INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2020; 103:e21616. [PMID: 31502703 DOI: 10.1002/arch.21616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2019] [Revised: 08/22/2019] [Accepted: 08/26/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Recent years have shown a large increase in studies of infection of the silkworm (Bombyx mori) with Cypovirus 1 (previously designated as B. mori cytoplasmic polyhedrosis virus), that causes serious damage in sericulture. Cypovirus 1 has a single-layered capsid that encapsulates a segmented double-strand RNA (dsRNA) genome which are attractive features for the establishment of a biotechnological platform for the production of specialized gene silencing agents, either as recombinant viruses or as viral-like particles with nonreplicative dsRNA cargo. For both combatting viral disease and application of Cypovirus-based pest control, however, a better understanding is needed of the innate immune response caused by Cypovirus infection of the midgut of lepidopteran larvae. Studies of deep sequencing of viral small RNAs have indicated the importance of the RNA interference pathway in the control of Cypovirus infection although many functional aspects still need to be elucidated and conclusive evidence is lacking. A considerable number of transcriptome studies were carried out that revealed a complex response that hitherto remains uncharacterized because of a dearth in functional studies. Also, the uptake mechanism of Cypovirus by the midgut cells remains unclarified because of contrasting mechanisms revealed by electron microscopy and functional studies. The field will benefit from an increase in functional studies that will depend on transgenic silkworm technology and reverse genetics systems for Cypovirus 1.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luc Swevers
- Institute of Biosciences & Applications, National Centre for Scientific Research "Demokritos", Insect Molecular Genetics, Athens, Greece
| | - Min Feng
- Institute of Biosciences & Applications, National Centre for Scientific Research "Demokritos", Insect Molecular Genetics, Athens, Greece
- College of Animal Science, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Feifei Ren
- College of Animal Science, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jingchen Sun
- College of Animal Science, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Dias NP, Cagliari D, Dos Santos EA, Smagghe G, Jurat-Fuentes JL, Mishra S, Nava DE, Zotti MJ. Insecticidal Gene Silencing by RNAi in the Neotropical Region. NEOTROPICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2020; 49:1-11. [PMID: 31749122 DOI: 10.1007/s13744-019-00722-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2019] [Accepted: 09/22/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Insecticidal gene silencing by RNA interference (RNAi) involves a post-transcriptional mechanism with great potential for insect control. Here, we aim to summarize the progress on RNAi research toward control of insect pests in the Neotropical region and discuss factors determining its efficacy and prospects for pest management. We include an overview of the available RNAi information for Neotropical pests in the Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, Diptera, and Hemiptera orders. Emphasis is put on significant findings in the use of RNAi against relevant Neotropical pests, including diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella L.), Asian citrus psyllid (Diaphorina citri Kuwayama), and the cotton boll weevil (Anthonomus grandis Boheman). We also examine the main factors involved in insecticidal RNAi efficiency and major advances to improve screening of lethal genes, formulation, and delivery. Few studies detail resistance mechanisms to RNAi, demonstrating a need for more research. Advances in formulation, delivery, and resistance management tools for insecticidal RNAi in the Neotropics can provide a basis for efficient field application.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- N P Dias
- Dept of Crop Protection, Federal Univ of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil.
| | - D Cagliari
- Dept of Crop Protection, Federal Univ of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil
| | - E A Dos Santos
- Dept of Crop Protection, Federal Univ of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil
| | - G Smagghe
- Dept of Plants and Crops, Ghent Univ, Ghent, Belgium
| | - J L Jurat-Fuentes
- Dept of Entomology and Plant Pathology, The Univ of Tennessee, Knoxville, USA
| | - S Mishra
- Dept of Entomology and Plant Pathology, The Univ of Tennessee, Knoxville, USA
| | - D E Nava
- Entomology Lab, EmbrapaClima Temperado, Pelotas, Brasil
| | - M J Zotti
- Dept of Crop Protection, Federal Univ of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Kolliopoulou A, Kontogiannatos D, Swevers L. The Use of Engineered Plant Viruses in a Trans-Kingdom Silencing Strategy Against Their Insect Vectors. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2020; 11:917. [PMID: 32733507 PMCID: PMC7360853 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2020.00917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Plants, plant viruses, and their vectors are co-evolving actors that co-exist and interact in nature. Insects are the most important vectors of plant viruses, serving as both carriers and hosts for the virus. This trans-kingdom interaction can be harnessed for the production of recombinant plant viruses designed to target insect genes via the RNAi machinery. The selection of the adequate viruses is important since they must infect and preferentially replicate in both the host plant and the insect vector. The routes of transmission that determine the extent of the infection inside the insect vary among different plant viruses. In the context of the proposed strategy, plant viruses that are capable of transversing the insect gut-hemocoel barrier and replicating in insect tissues are attractive candidates. Thus, the transmission of such viruses in a persistent and propagative manner is considered as a prerequisite for this strategy to be feasible, a characteristic that is found in viruses from the families Bunyaviridae, Reoviridae, and Rhabdoviridae. In addition, several RNA viruses are known that replicate in both plant and insect tissues via a yet unclarified transmission route. In this review, advances in knowledge of trans-kingdom transmission of plant viruses and future perspectives for their engineering as silencing vectors are thoroughly discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Kolliopoulou
- Institute of Biosciences & Applications, National Centre for Scientific Research “Demokritos”, Agia Paraskevi, Greece
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of West Attica, Egaleo, Greece
- *Correspondence: Anna Kolliopoulou,
| | - Dimitrios Kontogiannatos
- Institute of Biosciences & Applications, National Centre for Scientific Research “Demokritos”, Agia Paraskevi, Greece
| | - Luc Swevers
- Institute of Biosciences & Applications, National Centre for Scientific Research “Demokritos”, Agia Paraskevi, Greece
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Heinemann JA. Should dsRNA treatments applied in outdoor environments be regulated? ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2019; 132:104856. [PMID: 31174887 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2019.05.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2019] [Revised: 05/15/2019] [Accepted: 05/17/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The New Zealand Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) issued a Decision that makes the use of externally applied double-stranded (ds)RNA molecules on eukaryotic cells or organisms technically out of scope of legislation on new organisms, making risk assessments of such treatments in the open environment unnecessary. The Decision was based on its view that the treatment does not create new or genetically modified organisms and rests on the EPA's conclusions that dsRNA is not heritable and is not a mutagen. For these reasons EPA decided that treatments using dsRNA do not modify genes or other genetic material. I found from an independent review of the literature on the topic indicated, however, that each of the major scientific justifications relied upon by the EPA was based on either an inaccurate interpretation of evidence or failure to consult the research literature pertaining to additional types of eukaryotes. The Decision also did not take into account the unknown and unique eukaryotic biodiversity of New Zealand. The safe use of RNA-based technology holds promise for addressing complex and persistent challenges in public health, agriculture and conservation. However, by failing to restrict the source or means of modifying the dsRNA, the EPA removed regulatory oversight that could prevent unintended consequences of this new technology such as suppression of genes other than those selected for suppression or the release of viral genes or genomes by failing to restrict the source or means of modifying the dsRNA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jack A Heinemann
- School of Biological Sciences, Centre for Integrative Research in Biosafety, Centre for Integrative Ecology, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand.
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Singh S, Gupta M, Pandher S, Kaur G, Goel N, Rathore P. Using de novo transcriptome assembly and analysis to study RNAi in Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae). Sci Rep 2019; 9:13710. [PMID: 31548628 PMCID: PMC6757040 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-49997-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2019] [Accepted: 09/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Phenacoccus solenopsis is one of the major polyphagous crop pests in India. Inadequate genomic or transcriptomic resources have limited the molecular studies in this insect despite its huge economic importance. The existing molecular sequence resources of this insect were supplemented through RNA sequencing, de novo transcriptome assembly and analysis, which generated 12, 925 CDS from 23,643 contigs with an average size of 1077.5 bp per CDS and 85.1% positive BLAST hits with NCBI Non redundant (nr) database. Twenty three genes involved in RNAi machinery identified through BLASTx search against NCBI nr database suggested the existence of robust RNAi in mealybug. RNAi in P. solenopsis was demonstrated through knockdown of IAP (Inhibitor of Apoptosis), AQP (Aquaporin), CAL (Calcitonin), VATPase (V-type proton ATPase subunit F 1), bursicon, chitin synthase, SNF7 and α-amylase by injecting sequence specific dsRNA of respective genes in adult female. Additionally, feeding RNAi has been demonstrated in 2nd instar nymph through dsRNA uptake in plant. The knockdown of core RNAi machinery genes such as Dicer, Argonaute and Staufen significantly hampered RNAi efficiency in this insect. However, downregulation of dsRNases improved RNAi efficiency. Sequential studies for understanding RNAi in P. solenopsis using transcriptome sequences have also been reported. The present study provides a base for future research on developing RNAi as strategy for management of this pest.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Satnam Singh
- Punjab Agricultural University, Regional Research Station, Faridkot, 151203, Punjab, India.
| | - Mridula Gupta
- Punjab Agricultural University, Regional Research Station, Faridkot, 151203, Punjab, India
| | - Suneet Pandher
- Punjab Agricultural University, Regional Research Station, Faridkot, 151203, Punjab, India
| | - Gurmeet Kaur
- Punjab Agricultural University, Regional Research Station, Faridkot, 151203, Punjab, India
| | - Neha Goel
- Forest Research Institute, Dehradun, Uttaranchal, India
| | - Pankaj Rathore
- Punjab Agricultural University, Regional Research Station, Faridkot, 151203, Punjab, India
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Pigeyre L, Schatz M, Ravallec M, Gasmi L, Nègre N, Clouet C, Seveno M, El Koulali K, Decourcelle M, Guerardel Y, Cot D, Dupressoir T, Gosselin-Grenet AS, Ogliastro M. Interaction of a Densovirus with Glycans of the Peritrophic Matrix Mediates Oral Infection of the Lepidopteran Pest Spodoptera frugiperda. Viruses 2019; 11:v11090870. [PMID: 31533310 PMCID: PMC6783882 DOI: 10.3390/v11090870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2019] [Revised: 09/09/2019] [Accepted: 09/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The success of oral infection by viruses depends on their capacity to overcome the gut epithelial barrier of their host to crossing over apical, mucous extracellular matrices. As orally transmitted viruses, densoviruses, are also challenged by the complexity of the insect gut barriers, more specifically by the chitinous peritrophic matrix, that lines and protects the midgut epithelium; how capsids stick to and cross these barriers to reach their final cell destination where replication goes has been poorly studied in insects. Here, we analyzed the early interaction of the Junonia coenia densovirus (JcDV) with the midgut barriers of caterpillars from the pest Spodoptera frugiperda. Using combination of imaging, biochemical, proteomic and transcriptomic analyses, we examined in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo the early interaction of the capsids with the peritrophic matrix and the consequence of early oral infection on the overall gut function. We show that the JcDV particle rapidly adheres to the peritrophic matrix through interaction with different glycans including chitin and glycoproteins, and that these interactions are necessary for oral infection. Proteomic analyses of JcDV binding proteins of the peritrophic matrix revealed mucins and non-mucins proteins including enzymes already known to act as receptors for several insect pathogens. In addition, we show that JcDV early infection results in an arrest of N-Acetylglucosamine secretion and a disruption in the integrity of the peritrophic matrix, which may help viral particles to pass through. Finally, JcDV early infection induces changes in midgut genes expression favoring an increased metabolism including an increased translational activity. These dysregulations probably participate to the overall dysfunction of the gut barrier in the early steps of viral pathogenesis. A better understanding of early steps of densovirus infection process is crucial to build biocontrol strategies against major insect pests.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laetitia Pigeyre
- Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes (EPHE), PSL Research Univ, DGIMI, Univ Montpellier, INRA, 34095 Montpellier, France.
- Diversité des Génomes et Interactions Microorganismes Insectes (DGIMI), Univ Montpellier, INRA, 34095 Montpellier, France.
| | - Malvina Schatz
- Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes (EPHE), PSL Research Univ, DGIMI, Univ Montpellier, INRA, 34095 Montpellier, France.
- Diversité des Génomes et Interactions Microorganismes Insectes (DGIMI), Univ Montpellier, INRA, 34095 Montpellier, France.
| | - Marc Ravallec
- Diversité des Génomes et Interactions Microorganismes Insectes (DGIMI), Univ Montpellier, INRA, 34095 Montpellier, France.
| | - Leila Gasmi
- Estructura de Recerca Interdisciplinar en Biotecnologia I Biomedicina (ERI-BIOTECMED, Deaprtment of Genetics Faculty of Biological Sciences Univ Valencia, 46100 Burjassot, Spain.
| | - Nicolas Nègre
- Diversité des Génomes et Interactions Microorganismes Insectes (DGIMI), Univ Montpellier, INRA, 34095 Montpellier, France.
| | - Cécile Clouet
- Diversité des Génomes et Interactions Microorganismes Insectes (DGIMI), Univ Montpellier, INRA, 34095 Montpellier, France.
| | - Martial Seveno
- BioCampus, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, 34000 Montpellier, France.
| | | | | | - Yann Guerardel
- Unité de Glycobiologie Structurale et Fonctionnelle (UGSF) Univ Lille, CNRS, UMR 8576-UGSF, 59000 Lille, France.
| | - Didier Cot
- Institut Européen des Membranes (IEM), Univ Montpellier, CBRS, ENSCM, 34095 Montpellier, France.
| | - Thierry Dupressoir
- Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes (EPHE), PSL Research Univ, DGIMI, Univ Montpellier, INRA, 34095 Montpellier, France.
- Diversité des Génomes et Interactions Microorganismes Insectes (DGIMI), Univ Montpellier, INRA, 34095 Montpellier, France.
| | - Anne-Sophie Gosselin-Grenet
- Diversité des Génomes et Interactions Microorganismes Insectes (DGIMI), Univ Montpellier, INRA, 34095 Montpellier, France.
| | - Mylène Ogliastro
- Diversité des Génomes et Interactions Microorganismes Insectes (DGIMI), Univ Montpellier, INRA, 34095 Montpellier, France.
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Santos D, Mingels L, Vogel E, Wang L, Christiaens O, Cappelle K, Wynant N, Gansemans Y, Van Nieuwerburgh F, Smagghe G, Swevers L, Vanden Broeck J. Generation of Virus- and dsRNA-Derived siRNAs with Species-Dependent Length in Insects. Viruses 2019; 11:v11080738. [PMID: 31405199 PMCID: PMC6723321 DOI: 10.3390/v11080738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2019] [Revised: 08/07/2019] [Accepted: 08/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) molecules of viral origin trigger a post-transcriptional gene-silencing mechanism called RNA interference (RNAi). Specifically, virally derived dsRNA is recognized and cleaved by the enzyme Dicer2 into short interfering RNAs (siRNAs), which further direct sequence-specific RNA silencing, ultimately silencing replication of the virus. Notably, RNAi can also be artificially triggered by the delivery of gene-specific dsRNA, thereby leading to endogenous gene silencing. This is a widely used technology that holds great potential to contribute to novel pest control strategies. In this regard, research efforts have been set to find methods to efficiently trigger RNAi in the field. In this article, we demonstrate the generation of dsRNA- and/or virus-derived siRNAs—the main RNAi effectors—in six insect species belonging to five economically important orders (Lepidoptera, Orthoptera, Hymenoptera, Coleoptera, and Diptera). In addition, we describe that the siRNA length distribution is species-dependent. Taken together, our results reveal interspecies variability in the (antiviral) RNAi mechanism in insects and show promise to contribute to future research on (viral-based) RNAi-triggering mechanisms in this class of animals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dulce Santos
- Research Group of Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Lina Mingels
- Research Group of Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Elise Vogel
- Research Group of Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Luoluo Wang
- Laboratory of Agrozoology, Department of Plants and Crops, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Olivier Christiaens
- Laboratory of Agrozoology, Department of Plants and Crops, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Kaat Cappelle
- Laboratory of Agrozoology, Department of Plants and Crops, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Niels Wynant
- Research Group of Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Yannick Gansemans
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Filip Van Nieuwerburgh
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Guy Smagghe
- Laboratory of Agrozoology, Department of Plants and Crops, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Luc Swevers
- Insect Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology Group, Institute of Biosciences and Applications, National Center for Scientific Research "Demokritos", 15310 Athens, Greece
| | - Jozef Vanden Broeck
- Research Group of Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Whitten MM. Novel RNAi delivery systems in the control of medical and veterinary pests. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2019; 34:1-6. [PMID: 31247409 PMCID: PMC6990399 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2019.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2018] [Revised: 01/18/2019] [Accepted: 02/04/2019] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi) is a transformative technology with great potential to control, study or even protect insects and acarines through the knockdown of target gene expression. RNAi offers unprecedented levels of control, but fundamental to its successful deployment is the need to deliver 'trigger' RNA in an appropriate fashion giving due consideration to potential barriers of RNAi efficiency, safety, and the intended purpose of the knockdown. This short review focusses on recent innovations in RNAi delivery that are designed for, or could be adapted for use with, insect and acarine pests of medical or veterinary importance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Miranda Ma Whitten
- Institute of Life Science, Swansea University Medical School, Singleton Park, Swansea, SA2 8PP, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Liu J, Swevers L, Kolliopoulou A, Smagghe G. Arboviruses and the Challenge to Establish Systemic and Persistent Infections in Competent Mosquito Vectors: The Interaction With the RNAi Mechanism. Front Physiol 2019; 10:890. [PMID: 31354527 PMCID: PMC6638189 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2019.00890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2019] [Accepted: 06/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Arboviruses are capable to establish long-term persistent infections in mosquitoes that do not affect significantly the physiology of the insect vectors. Arbovirus infections are controlled by the RNAi machinery via the production of viral siRNAs and the formation of RISC complexes targeting viral genomes and mRNAs. Engineered arboviruses that contain cellular gene sequences can therefore be transformed to "viral silencing vectors" for studies of gene function in reverse genetics approaches. More specifically, "ideal" viral silencing vectors must be competent to induce robust RNAi effects while other interactions with the host immune system should be kept at a minimum to reduce non-specific effects. Because of their inconspicuous nature, arboviruses may approach the "ideal" viral silencing vectors in insects and it is therefore worthwhile to study the mechanisms by which the interactions with the RNAi machinery occur. In this review, an analysis is presented of the antiviral RNAi response in mosquito vectors with respect to the major types of arboviruses (alphaviruses, flaviviruses, bunyaviruses, and others). With respect to antiviral defense, the exo-RNAi pathway constitutes the major mechanism while the contribution of both miRNAs and viral piRNAs remains a contentious issue. However, additional mechanisms exist in mosquitoes that are capable to enhance or restrict the efficiency of viral silencing vectors such as the amplification of RNAi effects by DNA forms, the existence of incorporated viral elements in the genome and the induction of a non-specific systemic response by Dicer-2. Of significance is the observation that no major "viral suppressors of RNAi" (VSRs) seem to be encoded by arboviral genomes, indicating that relatively tight control of the activity of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) may be sufficient to maintain the persistent character of arbovirus infections. Major strategies for improvement of viral silencing vectors therefore are proposed to involve engineering of VSRs and modifying of the properties of the RdRp. Because of safety issues (pathogen status), however, arbovirus-based silencing vectors are not well suited for practical applications, such as RNAi-based mosquito control. In that case, related mosquito-specific viruses that also establish persistent infections and may cause similar RNAi responses may represent a valuable alternative solution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jisheng Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Luc Swevers
- Institute of Biosciences and Applications, National Centre of Scientific Research “Demokritos”, Athens, Greece
| | - Anna Kolliopoulou
- Institute of Biosciences and Applications, National Centre of Scientific Research “Demokritos”, Athens, Greece
| | - Guy Smagghe
- Department of Plants and Crops, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Wang L, Cappelle K, Santos D, Vanden Broeck J, Smagghe G, Swevers L. Short-term persistence precedes pathogenic infection: Infection kinetics of cricket paralysis virus in silkworm-derived Bm5 cells. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2019; 115:1-11. [PMID: 30905610 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2019.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2018] [Revised: 02/16/2019] [Accepted: 03/16/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Next generation sequencing has revealed the widespread occurrence of persistent virus infections in insects but little is known regarding to what extent persistent infections can affect cellular physiology and how they might contribute to the development of disease. In contrast to the pathogenic infections occurring in Drosophila S2 cells, it was observed that Cricket Paralysis virus (CrPV; Dicistroviridae) causes persistent infections in 9 lepidopteran and 2 coleopteran cell lines. The status of the persistent infection was subsequently investigated in more detail using silkworm-derived Bm5 cells, where the infection eventually becomes pathogenic after 3-4 weeks. The short-term persistence period in Bm5 cells is characterized by low levels of viral replication and virion production as well as by the production of viral siRNAs. However, during this period cellular physiology also becomes altered since the cells become susceptible to infection by the nodavirus Flock House virus (FHV). Pathogenicity and widespread mortality at 4 weeks is preceded by a large increase in virion production and the transcriptional activation of immune-related genes encoding RNAi factors and transcription factors in the Toll, Imd and Jak-STAT pathways. During the infection of Bm5 cells, the infective properties of CrPV are not altered, indicating changes in the physiology of the host cells during the transition from short-term persistence to pathogenicity. The in vitro system of Bm5 cells persistently infected with CrPV can therefore be presented as an easily accessible model to study the nature of persistent virus infections and the processes that trigger the transition to pathogenicity, for instance through the application of different "omics" approaches (transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics). The different factors that can cause the transition from persistence to pathogenicity in the Bm5-CrPV infection model are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luoluo Wang
- Department of Plants and Crops, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Kaat Cappelle
- Department of Plants and Crops, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Dulce Santos
- Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Jozef Vanden Broeck
- Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Guy Smagghe
- Department of Plants and Crops, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Luc Swevers
- Insect Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology, Institute of Biosciences and Applications, National Centre for Scientific Research "Demokritos", Athens, Greece.
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Liu Z, Wang X, Dai Y, Wei X, Ni M, Zhang L, Zhu Z. Expressing Double-Stranded RNAs of Insect Hormone-Related Genes Enhances Baculovirus Insecticidal Activity. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E419. [PMID: 30669419 PMCID: PMC6359566 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20020419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2018] [Revised: 01/16/2019] [Accepted: 01/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Baculoviruses have already been used for insect pest control, but the slow killing speed limits their further promotion and application. Here we provide a strategy for improving baculovirus insecticidal activity using Helicoverpa armigera nucleopolyhedrovirus (HearNPV) to express double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) targeting cotton bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera) juvenile hormone (JH)-related genes. Droplet-feeding bioassays show that the 50% lethal concentration (LC50) values of recombinant baculoviruses expressing the dsRNA of JH acid methyl transferase gene (HaJHAMT) and the JH acid binding protein gene (HaJHBP) were 1.24 × 10⁴ polyhedral inclusion bodies (PIB)/mL and 2.26 × 10⁴ PIB/mL, respectively. Both were much lower than the control value (8.12 × 10⁴ PIB/mL). Meanwhile, the LT50 of recombinant baculovirus expressing dsRNA of HaJHBP was only 54.2% of the control value, which means that larval death was accelerated. Furthermore, the mRNA level of target genes was reduced in recombinant baculovirus-treated cotton bollworm larvae. Transcription of several key genes involved in hormone signaling pathways-for example, ecdysone receptor gene (HaEcR)-was also altered. This study establishes a new strategy for pest management by interfering with insect hormone-related gene expression via baculoviruses, and the engineered baculoviruses have great potential application in cotton production.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zheming Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics and National Center for Plant Gene Research (Beijing), Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, The Innovative Academy of Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
| | - Xiaofang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics and National Center for Plant Gene Research (Beijing), Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, The Innovative Academy of Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.
| | - Yan Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics and National Center for Plant Gene Research (Beijing), Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, The Innovative Academy of Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.
| | - Xiaoli Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics and National Center for Plant Gene Research (Beijing), Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, The Innovative Academy of Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.
| | - Mi Ni
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics and National Center for Plant Gene Research (Beijing), Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, The Innovative Academy of Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.
| | - Lei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics and National Center for Plant Gene Research (Beijing), Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, The Innovative Academy of Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.
| | - Zhen Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics and National Center for Plant Gene Research (Beijing), Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, The Innovative Academy of Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Vogel E, Santos D, Mingels L, Verdonckt TW, Broeck JV. RNA Interference in Insects: Protecting Beneficials and Controlling Pests. Front Physiol 2019; 9:1912. [PMID: 30687124 PMCID: PMC6336832 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2018.01912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2018] [Accepted: 12/18/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Insects constitute the largest and most diverse group of animals on Earth with an equally diverse virome. The main antiviral immune system of these animals is the post-transcriptional gene-silencing mechanism known as RNA(i) interference. Furthermore, this process can be artificially triggered via delivery of gene-specific double-stranded RNA molecules, leading to specific endogenous gene silencing. This is called RNAi technology and has important applications in several fields. In this paper, we review RNAi mechanisms in insects as well as the potential of RNAi technology to contribute to species-specific insecticidal strategies. Regarding this aspect, we cover the range of strategies considered and investigated so far, as well as their limitations and the most promising approaches to overcome them. Additionally, we discuss patterns of viral infection, specifically persistent and acute insect viral infections. In the latter case, we focus on infections affecting economically relevant species. Within this scope, we review the use of insect-specific viruses as bio-insecticides. Last, we discuss RNAi-based strategies to protect beneficial insects from harmful viral infections and their potential practical application. As a whole, this manuscript stresses the impact of insect viruses and RNAi technology in human life, highlighting clear lines of investigation within an exciting and promising field of research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elise Vogel
- Research Group of Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Dulce Santos
- Research Group of Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lina Mingels
- Research Group of Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Thomas-Wolf Verdonckt
- Research Group of Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jozef Vanden Broeck
- Research Group of Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Cagliari D, Dias NP, Galdeano DM, dos Santos EÁ, Smagghe G, Zotti MJ. Management of Pest Insects and Plant Diseases by Non-Transformative RNAi. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2019; 10:1319. [PMID: 31708946 PMCID: PMC6823229 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2019.01319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2019] [Accepted: 09/23/2019] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Since the discovery of RNA interference (RNAi), scientists have made significant progress towards the development of this unique technology for crop protection. The RNAi mechanism works at the mRNA level by exploiting a sequence-dependent mode of action with high target specificity due to the design of complementary dsRNA molecules, allowing growers to target pests more precisely compared to conventional agrochemicals. The delivery of RNAi through transgenic plants is now a reality with some products currently in the market. Conversely, it is also expected that more RNA-based products reach the market as non-transformative alternatives. For instance, topically applied dsRNA/siRNA (SIGS - Spray Induced Gene Silencing) has attracted attention due to its feasibility and low cost compared to transgenic plants. Once on the leaf surface, dsRNAs can move directly to target pest cells (e.g., insects or pathogens) or can be taken up indirectly by plant cells to then be transferred into the pest cells. Water-soluble formulations containing pesticidal dsRNA provide alternatives, especially in some cases where plant transformation is not possible or takes years and cost millions to be developed (e.g., perennial crops). The ever-growing understanding of the RNAi mechanism and its limitations has allowed scientists to develop non-transgenic approaches such as trunk injection, soaking, and irrigation. While the technology has been considered promising for pest management, some issues such as RNAi efficiency, dsRNA degradation, environmental risk assessments, and resistance evolution still need to be addressed. Here, our main goal is to review some possible strategies for non-transgenic delivery systems, addressing important issues related to the use of this technology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Deise Cagliari
- Laboratory of Molecular Entomology, Department of Crop Protection, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil
- *Correspondence: Deise Cagliari, ; Guy Smagghe, ; Moisés João Zotti,
| | - Naymã P. Dias
- Laboratory of Molecular Entomology, Department of Crop Protection, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil
| | | | - Ericmar Ávila dos Santos
- Laboratory of Molecular Entomology, Department of Crop Protection, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil
| | - Guy Smagghe
- Department of Plants and Crops, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- *Correspondence: Deise Cagliari, ; Guy Smagghe, ; Moisés João Zotti,
| | - Moisés João Zotti
- Laboratory of Molecular Entomology, Department of Crop Protection, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil
- *Correspondence: Deise Cagliari, ; Guy Smagghe, ; Moisés João Zotti,
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Vélez AM, Fishilevich E. The mysteries of insect RNAi: A focus on dsRNA uptake and transport. PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2018; 151:25-31. [PMID: 30704709 DOI: 10.1016/j.pestbp.2018.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2018] [Revised: 07/11/2018] [Accepted: 08/08/2018] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi) is becoming a practical tool to control insect pests. Many mysteries of how double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) is transported into, within, and between cells to generate an efficient RNAi response in insects are still to be unraveled. This review provides an overview of the evidence that supports a key role of endocytosis in the uptake of dsRNA on both cellular and tissue levels. Additionally, other components of cellular membrane transport and their impact on the efficiency of RNAi in insects are explored. It is now evident that the membrane transport and potentially dsRNA release from the endosome may comprise some of the limiting factors in insects that are recalcitrant to dsRNA. This review concludes with the apparent connection between gene products that are necessary for cellular trafficking of dsRNA and highly lethal RNAi targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ana M Vélez
- University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Department of Entomology, 103 Entomology Hall, Lincoln, NE 68583-0816, United States.
| | - Elane Fishilevich
- University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Department of Entomology, 103 Entomology Hall, Lincoln, NE 68583-0816, United States; Corteva Agriscience™, Agriculture Division of DowDuPont™, 9330 Zionsville Road, Indianapolis, IN 46268, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Taning CNT, Christiaens O, Li X, Swevers L, Casteels H, Maes M, Smagghe G. Engineered Flock House Virus for Targeted Gene Suppression Through RNAi in Fruit Flies ( Drosophila melanogaster) in Vitro and in Vivo. Front Physiol 2018; 9:805. [PMID: 30018564 PMCID: PMC6037854 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2018.00805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2018] [Accepted: 06/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi) is a powerful tool to study functional genomics in insects and the potential of using RNAi to suppress crop pests has made outstanding progress. However, the delivery of dsRNA is a challenging step in the development of RNAi bioassays. In this study, we investigated the ability of engineered Flock House virus (FHV) to induce targeted gene suppression through RNAi under in vitro and in vivo condition. As proxy for fruit flies of agricultural importance, we worked with S2 cells as derived from Drosophila melanogaster embryos, and with adult stages of D. melanogaster. We found that the expression level for all of the targeted genes were reduced by more than 70% in both the in vitro and in vivo bioassays. Furthermore, the cell viability and median survival time bioassays demonstrated that the recombinant FHV expressing target gene sequences caused a significantly higher mortality (60–73% and 100%) than the wild type virus (24 and 71%), in both S2 cells and adult insects, respectively. This is the first report showing that a single stranded RNA insect virus such as FHV, can be engineered as an effective in vitro and in vivo RNAi delivery system. Since FHV infects many insect species, the described method could be exploited to improve the efficiency of dsRNA delivery for RNAi-related studies in both FHV susceptible insect cell lines and live insects that are recalcitrant to the uptake of naked dsRNA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Clauvis N T Taning
- Department of Plants and Crops, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.,Crop Protection, Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (ILVO), Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Olivier Christiaens
- Department of Plants and Crops, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - XiuXia Li
- Department of Plants and Crops, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Entomology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Luc Swevers
- Insect Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology Research Group, Institute of Biosciences & Applications, NCSR "Demokritos", Athens, Greece
| | - Hans Casteels
- Crop Protection, Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (ILVO), Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Martine Maes
- Crop Protection, Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (ILVO), Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Guy Smagghe
- Department of Plants and Crops, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Wang J, Gu L, Knipple DC. Evaluation of some potential target genes and methods for RNAi-mediated pest control of the corn earworm Helicoverpa zea. PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2018; 149:67-72. [PMID: 30033018 DOI: 10.1016/j.pestbp.2018.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2018] [Revised: 05/25/2018] [Accepted: 05/31/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
In this study, we explored the efficacy of knockdown four genes required for proper nervous system function by RNAi, in the corn earworm Helicoverpa zea (Boddie). Three of these genes encode components of validated insecticide target sites. We synthesized cDNA sequences orthologous to the Drosophila melanogaster genes Para (paralyticts), TipE (temperature-induced paralysis locus E), GluCl (glutamate-gated chloride channel), and Notch, and used these fragments to synthesize double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs). We then performed experiments in an attempt to induce RNAi-mediated effects on gene expression and viability using three modes of delivery of the dsRNAs: microinjection of eggs, soaking of eggs and feeding of larvae. Microinjection of dsRNAs into eggs induced reduced hatch rates and knockdown of target gene expression for GluCl, para and TipE, but not for Notch. However, neither feeding nor soaking eggs in dsRNA solutions resulted in discernable RNAi effects. These results demonstrated the susceptibility to RNAi effects of the expression of H. zea genes encoding insecticide target sites, which suggests future avenues of research toward practical applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jinda Wang
- National Engineering and Research Center of Sugarcane, Fujian Agricultural and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, PR China; Department of Entomology, Cornell University, New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, Geneva, NY 14456, USA; College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, PR China
| | - Liuqi Gu
- Department of Entomology, Cornell University, New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, Geneva, NY 14456, USA.
| | - Douglas C Knipple
- Department of Entomology, Cornell University, New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, Geneva, NY 14456, USA
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Zotti M, Dos Santos EA, Cagliari D, Christiaens O, Taning CNT, Smagghe G. RNA interference technology in crop protection against arthropod pests, pathogens and nematodes. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2018; 74:1239-1250. [PMID: 29194942 DOI: 10.1002/ps.4813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 174] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2017] [Revised: 10/09/2017] [Accepted: 11/22/2017] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Scientists have made significant progress in understanding and unraveling several aspects of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)-mediated gene silencing during the last two decades. Now that the RNA interference (RNAi) mechanism is well understood, it is time to consider how to apply the acquired knowledge to agriculture and crop protection. Some RNAi-based products are already available for farmers and more are expected to reach the market soon. Tailor-made dsRNA as an active ingredient for biopesticide formulations is considered a raw material that can be used for diverse purposes, from pest control and bee protection against viruses to pesticide resistance management. The RNAi mechanism works at the messenger RNA (mRNA) level, exploiting a sequence-dependent mode of action, which makes it unique in potency and selectivity compared with conventional agrochemicals. Furthermore, the use of RNAi in crop protection can be achieved by employing plant-incorporated protectants through plant transformation, but also by non-transformative strategies such as the use of formulations of sprayable RNAs as direct control agents, resistance factor repressors or developmental disruptors. In this review, RNAi is presented in an agricultural context (discussing products that have been launched on the market or will soon be available), and we go beyond the classical presentation of successful examples of RNAi in pest-insect control and comprehensively explore its potential for the control of plant pathogens, nematodes and mites, and to fight against diseases and parasites in beneficial insects. Moreover, we also discuss its use as a repressor for the management of pesticide-resistant weeds and insects. Finally, this review reports on the advances in non-transformative dsRNA delivery and the production costs of dsRNA, and discusses environmental considerations. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Moises Zotti
- Department of Crop Protection, Molecular Entomology, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil
| | - Ericmar Avila Dos Santos
- Department of Crop Protection, Molecular Entomology, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil
| | - Deise Cagliari
- Department of Crop Protection, Molecular Entomology, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil
| | - Olivier Christiaens
- Department of Crop Protection, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Clauvis Nji Tizi Taning
- Department of Crop Protection, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Guy Smagghe
- Department of Crop Protection, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Qiao W, Falk BW. Efficient Protein Expression and Virus-Induced Gene Silencing in Plants Using a Crinivirus-Derived Vector. Viruses 2018; 10:E216. [PMID: 29695039 PMCID: PMC5977209 DOI: 10.3390/v10050216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2018] [Revised: 04/19/2018] [Accepted: 04/21/2018] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Plant virus-based vectors are valuable tools for recombinant gene expression and functional genomics for both basic and applied research. In this study, Lettuce infectious yellows virus (LIYV) of the genus Crinivirus was engineered into a virus vector that is applicable for efficient protein expression and virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) in plants. We examined gene replacement and “add a gene” strategies to develop LIYV-derived vectors for transient expression of the green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter in Nicotiana benthamiana plants. The latter yielded higher GFP expression and was further examined by testing the effects of heterologous controller elements (CEs). A series of five vector constructs with progressively extended LIYV CP sgRNA CEs were tested, the longest CE gave the highest GFP expression but lower virus accumulation. The whitefly transmissibility of the optimized vector construct to other host plants, and the capability to accommodate and express a larger gene, a 1.8 kb β-glucuronidase (GUS) gene, were confirmed. Furthermore, the LIYV vector was also validated VIGS by silencing the endogenous gene, phytoene desaturase (PDS) in N. benthamiana plants, and the transgene GFP in N. benthamiana line 16c plants. Therefore, LIYV-derived vectors could provide a technical reference for developing vectors of other economically important criniviruses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wenjie Qiao
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of California, Davis, 95616 CA, USA.
| | - Bryce W Falk
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of California, Davis, 95616 CA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Antony B, Johny J, Aldosari SA. Silencing the Odorant Binding Protein RferOBP1768 Reduces the Strong Preference of Palm Weevil for the Major Aggregation Pheromone Compound Ferrugineol. Front Physiol 2018; 9:252. [PMID: 29618982 PMCID: PMC5871713 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2018.00252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2017] [Accepted: 03/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In insects, perception of the environment-food, mates, and prey-is mainly guided by chemical signals. The dynamic process of signal perception involves transport to odorant receptors (ORs) by soluble secretory proteins, odorant binding proteins (OBPs), which form the first stage in the process of olfactory recognition and are analogous to lipocalin family proteins in vertebrates. Although OBPs involved in the transport of pheromones to ORs have been functionally identified in insects, there is to date no report for Coleoptera. Furthermore, there is a lack of information on olfactory perception and the molecular mechanism by which OBPs participate in the transport of aggregation pheromones. We focus on the red palm weevil (RPW) Rhynchophorus ferrugineus, the most devastating quarantine pest of palm trees worldwide. In this work, we constructed libraries of all OBPs and selected antenna-specific and highly expressed OBPs for silencing through RNA interference. Aggregation pheromone compounds, 4-methyl-5-nonanol (ferrugineol) and 4-methyl-5-nonanone (ferruginone), and a kairomone, ethyl acetate, were then sequentially presented to individual RPWs. The results showed that antenna-specific RferOBP1768 aids in the capture and transport of ferrugineol to ORs. Silencing of RferOBP1768, which is responsible for pheromone binding, significantly disrupted pheromone communication. Study of odorant perception in palm weevil is important because the availability of literature regarding the nature and role of olfactory signaling in this insect may reveal likely candidates representative of animal olfaction and, more generally, of molecular recognition. Knowledge of OBPs recognizing the specific pheromone ferrugineol will allow for designing biosensors for the detection of this key compound in weevil monitoring in date palm fields.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Binu Antony
- Chair of Date Palm Research, Department of Plant Protection, College of Food and Agricultural Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Jibin Johny
- Chair of Date Palm Research, Department of Plant Protection, College of Food and Agricultural Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Saleh A Aldosari
- Chair of Date Palm Research, Department of Plant Protection, College of Food and Agricultural Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Tang B, Wang S, Wang SG, Wang HJ, Zhang JY, Cui SY. Invertebrate Trehalose-6-Phosphate Synthase Gene: Genetic Architecture, Biochemistry, Physiological Function, and Potential Applications. Front Physiol 2018; 9:30. [PMID: 29445344 PMCID: PMC5797772 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2018.00030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2017] [Accepted: 01/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The non-reducing disaccharide trehalose is widely distributed among various organisms. It plays a crucial role as an instant source of energy, being the major blood sugar in insects. In addition, it helps countering abiotic stresses. Trehalose synthesis in insects and other invertebrates is thought to occur via the trehalose-6-phosphate synthase (TPS) and trehalose-6-phosphate phosphatase (TPP) pathways. In many insects, the TPP gene has not been identified, whereas multiple TPS genes that encode proteins harboring TPS/OtsA and TPP/OtsB conserved domains have been found and cloned in the same species. The function of the TPS gene in insects and other invertebrates has not been reviewed in depth, and the available information is quite fragmented. The present review discusses the current understanding of the trehalose synthesis pathway, TPS genetic architecture, biochemistry, physiological function, and potential sensitivity to insecticides. We note the variability in the number of TPS genes in different invertebrate species, consider whether trehalose synthesis may rely only on the TPS gene, and discuss the results of in vitro TPS overexpression experiment. Tissue expression profile and developmental characteristics of the TPS gene indicate that it is important in energy production, growth and development, metamorphosis, stress recovery, chitin synthesis, insect flight, and other biological processes. We highlight the molecular and biochemical properties of insect TPS that make it a suitable target of potential pest control inhibitors. The application of trehalose synthesis inhibitors is a promising direction in insect pest control because vertebrates do not synthesize trehalose; therefore, TPS inhibitors would be relatively safe for humans and higher animals, making them ideal insecticidal agents without off-target effects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bin Tang
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China.,Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Su Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Environment Friendly Management on Fruit Diseases and Pests in North China, Institute of Plant and Environment Protection, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shi-Gui Wang
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hui-Juan Wang
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jia-Yong Zhang
- Key Lab of Wildlife Biotechnology, Conservation and Utilization of Zhejiang Province, College of Life Science and Chemistry, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, China
| | - Shuai-Ying Cui
- Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
| |
Collapse
|