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Lyu Z, Chen J, Lyu J, Guo P, Liu J, Liu J, Zhang W. Spraying double-stranded RNA targets UDP-N-acetylglucosamine pyrophosphorylase in the control of Nilaparvata lugens. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 271:132455. [PMID: 38795878 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.132455] [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: 01/17/2024] [Revised: 05/04/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/28/2024]
Abstract
The rice pest Nilaparvata lugens (the brown planthopper, BPH) has developed different levels of resistance to at least 11 chemical pesticides. RNAi technology has contributed to the development of environmentally friendly RNA biopesticides designed to reduce chemical use. Consequently, more precise targets need to be identified and characterized, and efficient dsRNA delivery methods are necessary for effective field pest control. In this study, a low off-target risk dsNlUAP fragment (166 bp) was designed in silico to minimize the potential adverse effects on non-target organisms. Knockdown of NlUAP via microinjection significantly decreased the content of UDP-N-acetylglucosamine and chitin, causing chitinous structural disorder and abnormal phenotypes in wing and body wall, reduced fertility, and resulted in pest mortality up to 100 %. Furthermore, dsNlUAP was loaded with ROPE@C, a chitosan-modified nanomaterial for spray application, which significantly downregulated the expression of NlUAP, led to 48.9 % pest mortality, and was confirmed to have no adverse effects on Cyrtorhinus lividipennis, an important natural enemy of BPH. These findings will contribute to the development of safer biopesticides for the control of N. lugens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zihao Lyu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Agriculture, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jingxiang Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jun Lyu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Pingping Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiahui Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jinhui Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenqing Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Agriculture, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
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Zhou Q, Han L, Li Y, Li J, Yang X. Neutral Dietary Effects of Two MicroRNAs, Csu-Novel-260 and Csu-Mir-14, on the Non-Target Arthropod Folsomia candida. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:plants12091885. [PMID: 37176942 PMCID: PMC10181208 DOI: 10.3390/plants12091885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi) that is triggered by small or short RNAs has shown enormous potential in the development of pest control strategies. Two microRNAs (miRNAs), Csu-novel-260 and Csu-miR-14, were used in insect-resistant genetically engineered (IRGE) rice lines to confer resistance to Chilo suppressalis. However, a risk assessment of RNAi-based products is essential to determine the safety of a biopesticide or IRGE crop for commercialization. The non-target organism Folsomia candida, which plays an important ecological role as a soil decomposer in agricultural ecosystems, was used to assess the risk of miRNAs Csu-novel-260 and Csu-miR-14. In this study, a dietary miRNA toxicity assay system was established in F. candida. The expression levels of target genes, survival rate, fecundity and body size were investigated to evaluate the effects of the miRNAs on F. candida under the worst-case scenario. The results showed that the dietary miRNA toxicity assay system could be used for risk assessment of miRNA in F. candida. The target genes of miRNAs were influenced by miRNA at some time points. However, no significant differences were observed in the life-table parameters in F. candida fed with a diet containing miRNAs. The dietary effects of two miRNAs on F. candida are neutral.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinli Zhou
- College of Plant Protection, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071001, China
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Lanzhi Han
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yunhe Li
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
- State Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-Breeding and Integrated Utilization, School of Life Sciences and College of Agriculture, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China
| | - Jing Li
- College of Plant Protection, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071001, China
| | - Xiaowei Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
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Wang X, Faucher J, Dhandapani RK, Duan JJ, Palli SR. Potential effects of RNA interference of Asian longhorned beetle on its parasitoid. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2023; 79:1557-1565. [PMID: 36529841 DOI: 10.1002/ps.7328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Revised: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND It is important to understand how non-target insects such as parasitoids may be impacted directly or indirectly by RNA interference with double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) that has emerged as a novel pest control tool. We examined the potential effects of a dsRNA targeting an inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) of the Asian longhorned beetle Anoplophora glabripennis on its gregarious larval ectoparasitoid Ontsira mellipes, directly on adult wasp's survival via injection of 4 μg of dsIAP per wasp, and indirectly on the detectability and suitability of host larvae injected with 2, 4 or 8 μg of dsIAP per larva. RESULTS Compared with no injection or injection with a control dsGFP targeting a region of gene coding for a green fluorescence protein (GFP), dsIAP did not affect adult wasp's survival. Ontsira mellipes locates hosts in the wood by sensing their movement. Host larvae did not completely cease movement after the injection of dsIAP and were still detected and parasitized. Clutch size was reduced and only 3.8% of the parasitoid offspring developed into adults on host larvae treated at the highest dose. However, clutch size was not affected and 25.5% of the parasitoid offspring developed into adults on host larvae treated at the lowest dose. The fitness of developed wasps (development time, sex ratio, body size, and fecundity) was not affected when compared to the control treatments. No dsIAP was detected in parasitoid larvae. CONCLUSION The results show no direct effect of the dsRNA on its parasitoid, but the potential indirect effect of dsRNA-affected host on the parasitoid, which may be minimized through optimizing dsRNA dosage to promote compatible applications of both management options for this invasive forest pest. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry. This article has been contributed to by U.S. Government employees and their work is in the public domain in the USA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingeng Wang
- Beneficial Insects Introduction Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Newark, Delaware, USA
| | - Jessica Faucher
- Beneficial Insects Introduction Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Newark, Delaware, USA
| | - Ramesh Kumar Dhandapani
- Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Jian J Duan
- Beneficial Insects Introduction Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Newark, Delaware, USA
| | - Subba Reddy Palli
- Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
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Chen S, Luo X, Nanda S, Yang C, Li Z, Zhang Y, Zhou X, Pan H. RNAi-Based Biopesticides Against 28-Spotted Ladybeetle Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata Does Not Harm the Insect Predator Propylea japonica. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2023; 71:3373-3384. [PMID: 36762732 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.2c08473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated control of the notorious pest Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata is an emerging environment friendly research area. However, the characterization of key target genes in H. vigintioctopunctata is crucial for this. Additionally, assessing the risk of RNAi to nontarget organisms (NTOs) is necessary for environmental safety. In this study, the potential of RNAi technology in controlling H. vigintioctopunctata infestation has been investigated by the oral delivery of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). The results revealed that the silencing of six genes, including HvABCH1, HvHel25E, HvProsbeta5, HvProsalpha6, HvProsbeta6, and HvSrp54k, was highly lethal to H. vigintioctopunctata. The LC50 values of the dsRNAs used to silence these six genes were found to be less than 13 ng/μL. Moreover, the use of the bacterially expressed dsRNAs caused high mortality in the lab and field populations of H. vigintioctopunctata. Further, administration of HvHel25E and HvSrp54k dsRNAs in the predatory lady beetle Propylea japonica confirmed no transcriptional or organismal levels effects. This risk-assessment result ensured no off-target RNAi effects on the NTOs. Overall, the findings of the study suggested that HvABCH1, HvHel25E, HvProsbeta5, HvProsalpha6, HvProsbeta6, and HvSrp54k can be novel promising molecular targets with high specificity for H. vigintioctopunctata management with negligible effects on the NTOs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shimin Chen
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Pesticide Innovation and Application of Guangdong Province, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Xuming Luo
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Pesticide Innovation and Application of Guangdong Province, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Satyabrata Nanda
- MS Swaminathan School of Agriculture, Centurion University of Technology and Management, Paralakhemundi 761200, India
| | - Chunxiao Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Zhaoyang Li
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Pesticide Innovation and Application of Guangdong Province, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Youjun Zhang
- Department of Plant Protection, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Xuguo Zhou
- Department of Entomology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40546, United States
| | - Huipeng Pan
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Pesticide Innovation and Application of Guangdong Province, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
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Li HJ, Zhang HH, Lu JB, Zhang CX. Threonyl-tRNA synthetase gene, a potential target for RNAi-based control of three rice planthoppers. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2022; 78:4589-4598. [PMID: 35831262 DOI: 10.1002/ps.7078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2022] [Revised: 07/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND RNA interference (RNAi) has potential as a new strategy for pest control. However, the current overemphasis on the control of a single pest increased control costs. The aim of this study was to find a green method of controlling several pests without affecting the natural enemies with a single target gene. One possible RNAi target is the threonyl-tRNA synthetase (ThrRS), which is conserved and plays a significant role in protein biosynthesis. RESULTS In this study, one threonyl-tRNA synthetase gene (NlthrS) was identified from the brown planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens). Spatio-temporal expression pattern analysis showed that NlthrS was highly expressed in the ovary, late embryogenesis, nymphs and female adults. In addition, RNAi-mediated knockdown of NlthrS caused 85.6% nymph mortality, 100% female infertility, molting disorder, extended nymph duration and shortened adult longevity. Target-specific results were obtained when dsNlthrS was used to interfere with the whiteback planthopper (Sogatella furcifera), small brown planthopper (Laodelphax striatellus), zig-zag winged leafhopper (Inazuma dorsalis) and their natural enemy (green mirid bug, Cyrtorhinus lividipennis). In addition, dsNlthrS could cause high mortalities of three species of planthoppers (85.6-100%), while only dsNlthrS-1 led to the death (97.3%) of I. dorsalis that was not affected by dsNlthrS-2. Furthermore, neither dsNlthrS-1 nor dsNlthrS-2 could influence the survival of C. lividipennis. CONCLUSION The results reveal the biological functions of ThrRS in N. lugens in addtion to its protein synthesis, deepening our understanding of tRNA synthase in insects and providing a new method for the control of several rice pests via one dsRNA design. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han-Jing Li
- Institute of Insect Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hou-Hong Zhang
- Institute of Insect Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jia-Bao Lu
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, Institute of Plant Virology, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Chuan-Xi Zhang
- Institute of Insect Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, Institute of Plant Virology, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
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Guo M, Nanda S, Chen S, Lü J, Yang C, Liu Z, Guo W, Qiu B, Zhang Y, Zhou X, Pan H. Oral RNAi toxicity assay suggests clathrin heavy chain as a promising molecular target for controlling the 28-spotted potato ladybird, Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2022; 78:3871-3879. [PMID: 34398523 DOI: 10.1002/ps.6594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2021] [Revised: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Use of RNA interference (RNAi) technology in effective pest management has been explored for decades. Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata is a major solanaceous crop pest in Asia. In this study, the effects of the RNAi-mediated silencing of clathrin heavy chain in H. vigintioctopunctata were investigated. RESULTS Feeding either the in vitro-synthesized or the bacterially expressed double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) significantly impaired the normal physiology of H. vigintioctopunctata instars and adults. However, the bacterially expressed dsHvChc caused higher mortality than the in vitro-synthesized ones in the larvae and adults. Moreover, on evaluating the potential risk of dsHvChc on Propylea japonica, significant transcriptional effects of dsHvChc1 were observed, while the organismal level effects were not significant. On the contrary, dsHvChc2 did not affect P. japonica at either level. A similar test revealed significant transcriptional effects of dsPjChc1 on H. vigintioctopunctata, while staying ineffective at the organismal levels. Conversely, dsPjChc2 did not affect H. vigintioctopunctata at either level. Importantly, no effect of dsPjChc1 exposure on H. vigintioctopunctata suggested that other factors besides the 21-nucleotide (nt) matches between sequences were responsible. Finally, ingestion of dsHvmChc1 derived from H. vigintioctomaculata, containing 265-nt matches with dsHvChc1, caused 100% mortality in H. vigintioctopunctata. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that (i) species with numerous 21-nt matches in homologous genes are more likely to be susceptible to dsRNA; (ii) dsRNA can be safely designed to avoid negative effects on non-target organisms at both transcriptional and organismal levels; (iii) HvChc can be used as an efficient RNAi target gene to effectively manage H. vigintioctopunctata. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mujuan Guo
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Pesticide Innovation and Application of Guangdong Province, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Satyabrata Nanda
- MS Swaminathan School of Agriculture, Centurion University of Technology and Management, Paralakhemundi, India
| | - Shimin Chen
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Pesticide Innovation and Application of Guangdong Province, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jing Lü
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Pesticide Innovation and Application of Guangdong Province, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chunxiao Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhuoqi Liu
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Pesticide Innovation and Application of Guangdong Province, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wei Guo
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Pesticide Innovation and Application of Guangdong Province, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Baoli Qiu
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Pesticide Innovation and Application of Guangdong Province, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Youjun Zhang
- Department of Plant Protection, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xuguo Zhou
- Department of Entomology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Huipeng Pan
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Pesticide Innovation and Application of Guangdong Province, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
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Castellanos NL, Smagghe G, Taning CNT, Oliveira EE, Christiaens O. Risk assessment of RNAi-based pesticides to non-target organisms: Evaluating the effects of sequence similarity in the parasitoid wasp Telenomus podisi. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 832:154746. [PMID: 35337872 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.154746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Revised: 03/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi)-based pesticides are promising novel pest management products that might reduce environmental impacts compared to other pesticides. Their sequence-guided mode of action facilitates a high species-selectivity, preventing harm on non-target organisms. However, there is currently no consensus on the minimum needed sequence similarity for efficient RNAi in insects and studies have shown that adverse effects in non-targets cannot always be ruled out a priori. This study investigates the effects of exposing the parasitoid wasp Telenomus podisi to double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) which is lethal to its host, the Neotropical brown stink bug Euschistus heros. Feeding T. podisi with wasp-specific dsRNA targeting the vATPase A and actin-2 genes led to 76.4 ± 9.9% and 76.7 ± 8.8% mortality respectively, demonstrating that dietary RNAi is functional in T. podisi. When feeding T. podisi with E. heros-specific dsRNA targeting the same genes, no lethal or sublethal effects were observed. To link sequence similarity to potential gene silencing effects in the parasitoids, the expression of genes showing the highest degree of similarity (17-21 nucleotide matches) with these two target genes was monitored and was found unaffected by the E. heros-specific dsRNA. Our study confirms that RNAi was in this case highly specific and that for E. heros, RNAi-based pesticides can be used complementary to biological control in an integrated pest management context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathaly L Castellanos
- Department of Plants and Crops, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium; Departamento de Entomologia, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, MG 36570-900, Brazil.
| | - Guy Smagghe
- Department of Plants and Crops, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Clauvis Nji Tizi Taning
- Department of Plants and Crops, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Eugênio E Oliveira
- Departamento de Entomologia, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, MG 36570-900, Brazil.
| | - Olivier Christiaens
- Department of Plants and Crops, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium.
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Dang C, Zhang Y, Sun C, Li R, Wang F, Fang Q, Yao H, Stanley D, Ye G. dsRNAs Targeted to the Brown Planthopper Nilaparvata lugens: Assessing Risk to a Non-Target, Beneficial Predator, Cyrtorhinus lividipennis. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2022; 70:373-380. [PMID: 34967611 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.1c05487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi) technology is becoming a maturing insect management approach. Before commercial-scale application, however, it is necessary to assess risks to non-target organisms (NTOs). Here, we evaluated the influence of RNAi technology, targeted to the brown planthopper (BPH, Nilaparvata lugens, Hemiptera: Delphacidae), a serious pest of Asian rice cropping systems, by dsRNA feeding. Three dsRNA fragments, targeting sodium channel protein Nach-like (dsNlNa), autophagy protein 5 (dsNlAup5), and V-type proton ATPase catalytic subunit A (dsNlvATP-A), which were highly lethal to BPH, were selected to evaluate their effects on an important predator of BPH, Cyrtorhinus lividipennis (Hemiptera: Miridae). It showed that these three dsRNA fragments posed no risks to C. lividipennis at worst-case treatments when fed with high concentrations (10×) dsRNAs. These findings not only establish part of a risk assessment protocol for RNAi-based products on NTOs but also contribute to the development and deployment of new technologies for BPH management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cong Dang
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology & Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yu Hang Tang Road, Hangzhou 310058 Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Yupan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology & Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yu Hang Tang Road, Hangzhou 310058 Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Chuyi Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology & Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yu Hang Tang Road, Hangzhou 310058 Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Ran Li
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology & Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yu Hang Tang Road, Hangzhou 310058 Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Fang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology & Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yu Hang Tang Road, Hangzhou 310058 Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Qi Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology & Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yu Hang Tang Road, Hangzhou 310058 Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Hongwei Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology & Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yu Hang Tang Road, Hangzhou 310058 Zhejiang Province, China
| | - David Stanley
- Biological Control of Insects Research Laboratory USDA/Agricultural Research Service, 1503 S. Providence Road, Columbia, Missouri 65203, United States
| | - Gongyin Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology & Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yu Hang Tang Road, Hangzhou 310058 Zhejiang Province, China
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9
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Darlington M, Reinders JD, Sethi A, Lu AL, Ramaseshadri P, Fischer JR, Boeckman CJ, Petrick JS, Roper JM, Narva KE, Vélez AM. RNAi for Western Corn Rootworm Management: Lessons Learned, Challenges, and Future Directions. INSECTS 2022; 13:57. [PMID: 35055900 PMCID: PMC8779393 DOI: 10.3390/insects13010057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The western corn rootworm (WCR), Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte, is considered one of the most economically important pests of maize (Zea mays L.) in the United States (U.S.) Corn Belt with costs of management and yield losses exceeding USD ~1-2 billion annually. WCR management has proven challenging given the ability of this insect to evolve resistance to multiple management strategies including synthetic insecticides, cultural practices, and plant-incorporated protectants, generating a constant need to develop new management tools. One of the most recent developments is maize expressing double-stranded hairpin RNA structures targeting housekeeping genes, which triggers an RNA interference (RNAi) response and eventually leads to insect death. Following the first description of in planta RNAi in 2007, traits targeting multiple genes have been explored. In June 2017, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency approved the first in planta RNAi product against insects for commercial use. This product expresses a dsRNA targeting the WCR snf7 gene in combination with Bt proteins (Cry3Bb1 and Cry34Ab1/Cry35Ab1) to improve trait durability and will be introduced for commercial use in 2022.
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Affiliation(s)
- Molly Darlington
- Department of Entomology, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68583, USA; (M.D.); (J.D.R.)
| | - Jordan D. Reinders
- Department of Entomology, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68583, USA; (M.D.); (J.D.R.)
| | - Amit Sethi
- Corteva Agriscience, Johnston, IA 50131, USA; (A.S.); (A.L.L.); (C.J.B.); (J.M.R.)
| | - Albert L. Lu
- Corteva Agriscience, Johnston, IA 50131, USA; (A.S.); (A.L.L.); (C.J.B.); (J.M.R.)
| | | | - Joshua R. Fischer
- Bayer Crop Science, Chesterfield, MO 63017, USA; (P.R.); (J.R.F.); (J.S.P.)
| | - Chad J. Boeckman
- Corteva Agriscience, Johnston, IA 50131, USA; (A.S.); (A.L.L.); (C.J.B.); (J.M.R.)
| | - Jay S. Petrick
- Bayer Crop Science, Chesterfield, MO 63017, USA; (P.R.); (J.R.F.); (J.S.P.)
| | - Jason M. Roper
- Corteva Agriscience, Johnston, IA 50131, USA; (A.S.); (A.L.L.); (C.J.B.); (J.M.R.)
| | | | - Ana M. Vélez
- Department of Entomology, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68583, USA; (M.D.); (J.D.R.)
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De Schutter K, Taning CNT, Van Daele L, Van Damme EJM, Dubruel P, Smagghe G. RNAi-Based Biocontrol Products: Market Status, Regulatory Aspects, and Risk Assessment. FRONTIERS IN INSECT SCIENCE 2022; 1:818037. [PMID: 38468882 PMCID: PMC10926433 DOI: 10.3389/finsc.2021.818037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Kristof De Schutter
- Laboratory of Agrozoology, Department of Plants and Crops, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Clauvis Nji Tizi Taning
- Laboratory of Agrozoology, Department of Plants and Crops, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Lenny Van Daele
- Polymer Chemistry and Biomaterials Group, Department of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry, Center of Macromolecular Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Els J. M. Van Damme
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Glycobiology, Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Peter Dubruel
- Polymer Chemistry and Biomaterials Group, Department of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry, Center of Macromolecular Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Guy Smagghe
- Laboratory of Agrozoology, Department of Plants and Crops, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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Guo W, Guo M, Yang C, Liu Z, Chen S, Lü J, Qiu B, Zhang Y, Zhou X, Pan H. RNA interference-mediated silencing of vATPase subunits A and E affect survival and development of the 28-spotted ladybeetle, Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata. INSECT SCIENCE 2021; 28:1664-1676. [PMID: 33421334 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.12899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Revised: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 11/27/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi) has emerged as a powerful tool for developing novel management strategies for controlling insect pests. The 28-spotted ladybeetle, Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata is one of the most important pests attacking solanaceous plants in Asia. In this study, the potential of dietary RNAi to manage H. vigintioctopunctata was investigated using both in vitro synthesized and bacterially expressed double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) of HvvATPase A and HvvATPase E. The expression levels of HvvATPase A and HvvATPase E were higher in Malpighian tubules than in other tissue types. The silencing of HvvATPase A and HvvATPase E led to significant mortality in H. vigintioctopunctata larvae. In addition, the ingestion of HvvATPase A and HvvATPase E significantly deterred feeding behavior and subsequently arrested the development of H. vigintioctopunctata. Notably, the bacterially expressed dsRNAs consistently caused higher mortality in larvae and adults. Finally, the nontarget effects of the dsRNAs of H. vigintioctopunctata on the predatory ladybeetle Propylaea japonica were evaluated. P. japonica 1st instar larvae were administered vATPase A and vATPase E dsRNAs from H. vigintioctopunctata and P. japonica under the worst-case scenario, in which dsGFP served as negative control. There were significant effects of dsHvvATPase A on P. japonica at the transcriptional level but not at the organismal level, whereas dsHvvATPase E did not effect P. japonica at either the transcriptional or the organismal level. Collectively, the results of the study suggest that HvvATPase A and HvvATPase E can act as novel molecular targets for the control of H. vigintioctopunctata.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Guo
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Pesticide Innovation and Application of Guangdong Province, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Mujuan Guo
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Pesticide Innovation and Application of Guangdong Province, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Chunxiao Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Zhuoqi Liu
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Pesticide Innovation and Application of Guangdong Province, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Shimin Chen
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Pesticide Innovation and Application of Guangdong Province, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Jing Lü
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Pesticide Innovation and Application of Guangdong Province, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Baoli Qiu
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Pesticide Innovation and Application of Guangdong Province, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Youjun Zhang
- Department of Plant Protection, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Xuguo Zhou
- Department of Entomology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40546, USA
| | - Huipeng Pan
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Pesticide Innovation and Application of Guangdong Province, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
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Yang J, Kong XD, Zhu-Salzman K, Qin QM, Cai QN. The Key Glutathione S-Transferase Family Genes Involved in the Detoxification of Rice Gramine in Brown Planthopper Nilaparvata lugens. INSECTS 2021; 12:1055. [PMID: 34940143 PMCID: PMC8704333 DOI: 10.3390/insects12121055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Revised: 11/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Phytochemical toxins are considered a defense measure for herbivore invasion. To adapt this defensive strategy, herbivores use glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) as an important detoxification enzyme to cope with toxic compounds, but the underlying molecular basis for GST genes in this process remains unclear. Here, we investigated the basis of how GST genes in brown planthopper (BPH, Nilaparvata lugens (Stål)) participated in the detoxification of gramine by RNA interference. For BPH, the LC25 and LC50 concentrations of gramine were 7.11 and 14.99 μg/mL at 72 h after feeding, respectively. The transcriptions of seven of eight GST genes in BPH were induced by a low concentration of gramine, and GST activity was activated. Although interferences of seven genes reduced BPH tolerance to gramine, only the expression of NlGST1-1, NlGSTD2, and NlGSTE1 was positively correlated with GST activities, and silencing of these three genes inhibited GST activities in BPH. Our findings reveal that two new key genes, NlGSTD2 and NlGSTE1, play an essential role in the detoxification of gramine such as NlGST1-1 does in BPH, which not only provides the molecular evidence for the coevolution theory, but also provides new insight into the development of an environmentally friendly strategy for herbivore population management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Yang
- College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; (J.Y.); (X.-D.K.)
| | - Xiang-Dong Kong
- College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; (J.Y.); (X.-D.K.)
- MOA Key Laboratory of Crop Pest Monitoring and Green Control, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Keyan Zhu-Salzman
- Department of Entomology, Texas A & M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA;
| | - Qing-Ming Qin
- College of Plant Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China;
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Qing-Nian Cai
- College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; (J.Y.); (X.-D.K.)
- MOA Key Laboratory of Crop Pest Monitoring and Green Control, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
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13
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Wen N, Chen J, Chen G, Du L, Chen H, Li Y, Peng Y, Yang X, Han L. The overexpression of insect endogenous microRNA in transgenic rice inhibits the pupation of Chilo suppressalis and Cnaphalocrocis medinalis. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2021; 77:3990-3999. [PMID: 33890699 DOI: 10.1002/ps.6422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Revised: 04/11/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chilo suppressalis and Cnaphalocrocis medinalis are destructive rice pests co-occurring in major rice-growing areas in China. RNA interference (RNAi)-based insect-resistant genetically engineered (IRGE) crops provide a promising approach for pest management by suppressing gene expression or translation. A microRNA (miRNA)-mediated IRGE rice line expressing endogenous Chilo suppressalis miRNA Csu-novel-260, showing significant resistance against Chilo suppressalis, provides an attractive control strategy for Chilo suppressalis by suppressing the expression of the disembodied (dib) gene expression. However, whether this transgenic line also shows the resistance against Cnaphalocrocis medinalis remains unknown. RESULTS A spatiotemporal expression analysis of Csu-novel-260 in the transgenic rice line was performed by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) to determine the paddy field pest exposure dose. In diet feeding assays, a chemically synthesized Csu-novel-260 agomir at 200 fmol g-1 significantly inhibited Chilo suppressalis pupation. However, larval development, survival and pupal weight were not significantly affected. Additionally, the transgenic line significantly affected Cnaphalocrocis medinalis pupation but not larval survival. The qRT-PCR showed that Csdib and Cmdib expression levels were significantly suppressed when the two pests fed on the transgenic line. Additionally, the transgenic line significantly decreased Cry1C-resistant and Cry1C-susceptible Chilo suppressalis larval survival in detached rice tissue feeding assays, indicating that Cry1C-resistant Chilo suppressalis was not cross-resistant to Csu-novel-260 expressed in miRNA-mediated IRGE rice. CONCLUSION Our study demonstrated that miRNA-mediated IRGE rice significantly inhibited Chilo suppressalis and Cnaphalocrocis medinalis pupation. The results provide a new viewpoint for the application of RNAi-based plants and the inspiration for environmental risk assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Wen
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Junjie Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Geng Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Lixiao Du
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hao Chen
- Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yunhe Li
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yufa Peng
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaowei Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Lanzhi Han
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
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14
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Jin H, Abouzaid M, Lin Y, Hull JJ, Ma W. Cloning and RNAi-mediated three lethal genes that can be potentially used for Chilo suppressalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) management. PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2021; 174:104828. [PMID: 33838721 DOI: 10.1016/j.pestbp.2021.104828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Revised: 02/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi) has gained attention in recent years as a viable pest control strategy. Here, RNAi assays were performed to screen the potential functionality of genes in Chilo suppressalis, a serious pest of rice, and to determine their potential for developing a highly targeted molecular control approach. Potential homologs of NADH dehydrogenase (ND), glycerol 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH) and male specific lethal 3 (MSL3) were cloned from C. suppressalis, and their spatiotemporal gene expression evaluated. The expression of all three genes was higher in the pupal and adult stages than the larval stages and largely higher in the larval head compared to other tissues. Newly hatched larvae exhibited high mortalities and suppressed growth when fed bacteria producing double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) corresponding to the three target genes. This study provides insights into the function of ND, GPDH and MSL3 during C. suppressalis larval development and suggests that all may be candidate gene targets for C. suppressalis pest management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huihui Jin
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement and National Centre of Plant Gene Research, Wuhan 430070, Hubei, China; College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, Hubei, China
| | - Mostafa Abouzaid
- College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, Hubei, China
| | - Yongjun Lin
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement and National Centre of Plant Gene Research, Wuhan 430070, Hubei, China
| | - J Joe Hull
- Pest Management and Biocontrol Research Unit, US Arid Land Agricultural Research Center, USDA Agricultural Research Services, Maricopa, AZ 85138, USA
| | - Weihua Ma
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement and National Centre of Plant Gene Research, Wuhan 430070, Hubei, China; College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, Hubei, China.
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15
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Chen J, Wang H, Yang X, Chen G, Du L, Chen H, Li Y, Peng Y, Han L. Consumption of miRNA-Mediated Insect-Resistant Transgenic Rice Pollen Does Not Harm Apis mellifera Adults. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2021; 69:4234-4242. [PMID: 33818077 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.1c00585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
RNAi-based insect-resistant genetically engineered (IRGE) crops represent a promising approach for pest management by suppressing gene expressions or translation. A developed microRNA-mediated IRGE rice line expressing endogenous Chilo suppressalis Csu-novel-260 shows significant resistance to target pests. The nontarget insect Apis mellifera is an important pollinator used as a surrogate species for the ecological risk assessment of IRGE plants. To simulate a worst-case scenario, the full-length C. suppressalis and A. mellifera disembodied (dib) cDNAs were cloned. The dib 3'-untranslated regions shared 58.06% nucleotide sequence similarity between C. suppressalis and A. mellifera. No potential Csu-novel-260 binding site in Amdib was detected through the bioinformatics analysis. A dietary RNAi toxicity assay of the impacts of ingested Csu-novel-260 on A. mellifera adults showed that the survival rates of RNAi-treated A. mellifera did not significantly differ from those in the blank control (CK) and negative control (NC) treatments. The Csu-novel-260 uptake by A. mellifera peaked at 8 days postfeeding and then gradually decreased. The Amdib expression was not affected by the RNAi assay days or treatments. These results suggest that A. mellifera adults are not susceptible to high doses of Csu-novel-260 in the dietary RNAi assay and that the impact of miRNA-mediated IRGE plants on A. mellifera is negligible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junjie Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Huilin Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Xiaowei Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Geng Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Lixiao Du
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Hao Chen
- Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Yunhe Li
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yufa Peng
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Lanzhi Han
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
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Lü J, Liu ZQ, Guo W, Guo MJ, Chen SM, Yang CX, Zhang YJ, Pan HP. Oral delivery of dsHvlwr is a feasible method for managing the pest Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). INSECT SCIENCE 2021; 28:509-520. [PMID: 32240577 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.12784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2019] [Revised: 02/18/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi) techniques have emerged as powerful tools that facilitate development of novel management strategies for insect pests, such as Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), which is a major pest of solanaceous plants in Asia. In this study, the potential of oral delivery of in vitro-synthesized and bacterially expressed double-stranded H. vigintioctopunctata lesswright (lwr) gene (dsHvlwr) to manage of H. vigintioctopunctata was investigated. Our results showed that the gene Hvlwr had a 480-bp open reading frame and encoded a 160-amino acid protein. Hvlwr expression levels were greater in the fat body than other tissue types. Hvlwr silencing led to greater H. vigintioctopunctata mortality rates and appeared to be time- and partially dose-dependent, likely as a result of the number of hemocytes increasing with dsRNA concentration, but decreasing with time. Bacterially expressed dsHvlwr that was applied to leaf discs caused 88%, 66%, and 36% mortality in 1st instars, 3rd instars, and adults after 10, 10, and 14 d, respectively; when applied to living plants, there was greater mortality in 1st and 3rd instars, but there was no effect on adults. Furthermore, dsHvlwr led to improved plant protection against H. vigintioctopunctata. Our study shows an effective dietary RNAi response in H. vigintioctopunctata and that Hvlwr is a promising RNAi target gene for control of this pest species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Lü
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Pesticide Innovation and Application of Guangdong Province, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhuo-Qi Liu
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Pesticide Innovation and Application of Guangdong Province, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wei Guo
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Pesticide Innovation and Application of Guangdong Province, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Mu-Juan Guo
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Pesticide Innovation and Application of Guangdong Province, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shi-Min Chen
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Pesticide Innovation and Application of Guangdong Province, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chun-Xiao Yang
- Lingnan Guangdong Laboratory of Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, China
| | - You-Jun Zhang
- Department of Plant Protection, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hui-Peng Pan
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Pesticide Innovation and Application of Guangdong Province, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
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17
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Pan H, Yang X, Romeis J, Siegfried BD, Zhou X. Dietary RNAi toxicity assay exhibits differential responses to ingested dsRNAs among lady beetles. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2020; 76:3606-3614. [PMID: 32400940 DOI: 10.1002/ps.5894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2020] [Revised: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Most recently, major federal regulatory agencies deregulated an in planta RNA interference (RNAi) trait against a devastating corn pest, the western corn rootworm Diabrotica virgifera virgifera, in the United States and Canada. The impact of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) plant-incorporated protectants (PIPs) and dietary RNAi to non-target organisms, however, still needs further investigation. In this study, we assessed the potential risks of a Diabrotica virgifera virgifera active dsRNA to a group of predatory biological control agents, including Hippodamia convergens, Harmonia axyridis, Coleomegilla maculata, and Coccinella septempunctata. The overarching hypothesis is that the insecticidal dsRNA targeting Diabrotica virgifera virgifera has no or negligible adverse effect on lady beetles. RESULTS A 400-bp fragment with the highest sequence similarity between target and tested species was selected as the template for dsRNA synthesis. For the dietary RNAi toxicity assay, newly hatched first instar larvae were administered with v-ATPase A dsRNAs designed from Diabrotica virgifera virgifera and the four lady beetles, respectively. A dsRNA from β-glucuronidase (GUS), a plant gene, and H2 O were served as the negative controls. The endpoint included both sub-organismal (gene expression), and organismal (survival rate, development time, pupa and adult weight) measurements. The results from dietary RNAi toxicity assay demonstrate significantly impacts of Diabrotica virgifera virgifera-active dsRNAs on lady beetles under the worst-case scenario at both transcriptional and phenotypic level. Interestingly, substantial differences among the four lady beetle species were observed toward the ingested exogenous dsRNAs. CONCLUSION Such differential response to dietary RNAi may shed light on the mechanisms underlying the mode-of-action of RNAi-based biopesticides. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huipeng Pan
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Pesticide Innovation and Application of Guangdong Province, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Entomology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Xiaowei Yang
- Department of Entomology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Jörg Romeis
- Agroscope, Research Division Agroecology and Environment, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Blair D Siegfried
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Xuguo Zhou
- Department of Entomology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
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18
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Bachman P, Fridley J, Mueller G, Moar W, Levine SL. Sequence-Activity Relationships for the Snf7 Insecticidal dsRNA in Chrysomelidae. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2020; 11:1303. [PMID: 32983194 PMCID: PMC7477086 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2020.01303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The responsiveness of insects to oral delivery of insecticidal dsRNA has been shown to be dependent on dsRNA length and sequence match. Previous work with the western corn rootworm (WCR, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera; Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) demonstrated that at least one ≥21 nt match must be present in the DvSnf7 dsRNA of approximately ≥60 base-pairs (bp) for activity. Further data is needed on the activity of <21 nt matches along with characterization of relationship between activity and the number of ≥21 nt matches. To characterize the sequence-activity relationship for insecticidal dsRNA further, the activity of orthologous Snf7 dsRNAs with 19, 20, and 21 nt contiguous matches against WCR was compared. Neither 19 nor 20 nt sequence matches were active, supporting that a ≥21 nt sequence match is required for activity. The relationship between the number of 21 nt matches with activity of Snf7 dsRNA orthologs from several Chrysomelid species was characterized using WCR and Colorado potato beetle (CPB, Leptinotarsa decemlineata; Coleoptera Chrysomelidae). For WCR, there was a strong relationship between an increasing number of 21 nt matches and increased activity (i.e., lower LC50 values). A similar relationship was observed for CPB with an exception for a single ortholog, which may be related to the exceptionally high rate of polymorphisms in CPB. Overall, these results demonstrate a general relationship between the number of 21 nt matches and activity, and this relationship could be used to inform a testing and assessment plan for an ecological risk assessment for an insecticidal dsRNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pamela Bachman
- Science Organization, The Climate Corporation, Creve Coeur, MO, United States
- Regulatory Science, Bayer Crop Science, Chesterfield, MO, United States
| | - Jennifer Fridley
- Regulatory Science, Bayer Crop Science, Chesterfield, MO, United States
| | - Geoffrey Mueller
- Regulatory Science, Bayer Crop Science, Chesterfield, MO, United States
| | - William Moar
- Regulatory Science, Bayer Crop Science, Chesterfield, MO, United States
| | - Steven L. Levine
- Regulatory Science, Bayer Crop Science, Chesterfield, MO, United States
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19
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Chereddy SCRR, Gurusamy D, Howell JL, Palli SR. Double-stranded RNAs targeting inhibitor of apoptosis gene show no significant cross-species activity. ARCHIVES OF INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2020; 104:e21683. [PMID: 32350930 PMCID: PMC9987616 DOI: 10.1002/arch.21683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2020] [Revised: 03/19/2020] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi) has become an integral part of mainstream research due to its versatility and ease of use. However, the potential nontarget effects associated with double-stranded RNAs (dsRNA) are poorly understood. To explore this, we used dsRNAs targeting the inhibitor of apoptosis (iap) gene from nine insect species and assayed their possible nontarget effects. For each assay, we used a control (dsRNA targeting the gene coding for green fluorescent protein, GFP) and a species-specific dsRNA targeting nine iap genes in insect species to evaluate target gene knockdown efficiency, apoptosis phenotype in cells and mortality in insects. Our results revealed that dsIAP efficiently knocks down iap gene expression and induces apoptosis phenotype and mortality in target insect species. In contrast, no significant knockdown of the iap gene expression, apoptosis phenotypes, or mortality were detected in cell lines developed from nontarget insects or nontarget insects treated with dsIAPs. Interestingly, even among closely related insects such as stink bugs, Nezara viridula, Halyomorpha halys, and Murgantia histrionica, with substantial sequence similarity among iap genes from these insects, no significant nontarget effects of dsIAP were observed under the conditions tested. These data demonstrate no significant nontarget effects for dsIAPs and suggest that the threat of nontarget effects of RNAi technology may not be substantial.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jeffrey L Howell
- Department of Entomology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
| | - Subba R Palli
- Department of Entomology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
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20
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Lü J, Guo W, Chen S, Guo M, Qiu B, Yang C, Zhang Y, Pan H. Double-stranded RNAs targeting HvRPS18 and HvRPL13 reveal potential targets for pest management of the 28-spotted ladybeetle, Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2020; 76:2663-2673. [PMID: 32112472 DOI: 10.1002/ps.5809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2019] [Revised: 02/16/2020] [Accepted: 02/28/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND RNA interference (RNAi) is a potential tool for plant protection against insect pests. The great challenge for effective pest control using RNAi in the field is the development of efficient and reliable methods for the production and delivery of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). RESULTS In the present study, we investigated the potential of feeding in vitro synthesized or bacterially expressed dsRNA to populations of the 28-spotted ladybeetle Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata as a method of biological pest control. Ingestion of in vitro synthesized dsHvRPS18 or dsHvRPL13 led to significant down-regulation of the ribosomal protein-encoding genes HvRPS18 and HvRPL13, respectively, and significantly decreased the survival of H. vigintioctopunctata. Such silencing of HvRPS18 or HvRPL13 expression appeared to be partially dose-dependent and also inhibited the growth of H. vigintioctopunctata and significantly suppressed the expression of digestive enzyme-related genes. Finally, ingestion of bacterially expressed dsHvRPS18 or dsHvRPL13 induced significant mortality in the first and third instars, and in adults. CONCLUSION The effectiveness of RNAi-based gene silencing in H. vigintioctopunctata provides a powerful reverse genetic tool for the functional annotation of its genes. This study demonstrates that HvRPS18 and HvRPL13 represent candidate genes for RNAi-based biological control of H. vigintioctopunctata. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Lü
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Pesticide Innovation and Application of Guangdong Province, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wei Guo
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Pesticide Innovation and Application of Guangdong Province, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shimin Chen
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Pesticide Innovation and Application of Guangdong Province, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Mujuan Guo
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Pesticide Innovation and Application of Guangdong Province, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Baoli Qiu
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Pesticide Innovation and Application of Guangdong Province, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- Lingnan Guangdong Laboratory of Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chunxiao Yang
- Lingnan Guangdong Laboratory of Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, China
| | - Youjun Zhang
- Department of Plant Protection, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Huipeng Pan
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Pesticide Innovation and Application of Guangdong Province, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- Lingnan Guangdong Laboratory of Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, China
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Romeis J, Widmer F. Assessing the Risks of Topically Applied dsRNA-Based Products to Non-target Arthropods. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2020; 11:679. [PMID: 32582240 PMCID: PMC7289159 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2020.00679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2019] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi) is a powerful technology that offers new opportunities for pest control through silencing of genes that are essential for the survival of arthropod pests. The approach relies on sequence-specificity of applied double-stranded (ds) RNA that can be designed to have a very narrow spectrum of both the target gene product (RNA) as well as the target organism, and thus allowing highly targeted pest control. Successful RNAi has been reported from a number of arthropod species belonging to various orders. Pest control may be achieved by applying dsRNA as foliar sprays. One of the main concerns related to the use of dsRNA is adverse environmental effects particularly on valued non-target species. Arthropods form an important part of the biodiversity in agricultural landscapes and contribute important ecosystem services. Consequently, environmental risk assessment (ERA) for potential impacts that plant protection products may have on valued non-target arthropods is legally required prior to their placement on the market. We describe how problem formulation can be used to set the context and to develop plausible pathways on how the application of dsRNA-based products could harm valued non-target arthropod species, such as those contributing to biological pest control. The current knowledge regarding the exposure to and the hazard posed by dsRNA in spray products for non-target arthropods is reviewed and suggestions are provided on how to select the most suitable test species and to conduct laboratory-based toxicity studies that provide robust, reliable and interpretable results to support the ERA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jörg Romeis
- Research Division Agroecology and Environment, Agroscope, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Franco Widmer
- Competence Division Method Development and Analytics, Agroscope, Zurich, Switzerland
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Fletcher SJ, Reeves PT, Hoang BT, Mitter N. A Perspective on RNAi-Based Biopesticides. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2020; 11:51. [PMID: 32117388 PMCID: PMC7028687 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2020.00051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Accepted: 01/15/2020] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Sustainable agriculture relies on practices and technologies that combine effectiveness with a minimal environmental footprint. RNA interference (RNAi), a eukaryotic process in which transcript expression is reduced in a sequence-specific manner, can be co-opted for the control of plant pests and pathogens in a topical application system. Double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), the key trigger molecule of RNAi, has been shown to provide protection without the need for integration of dsRNA-expressing constructs as transgenes. Consequently, development of RNA-based biopesticides is gaining momentum as a narrow-spectrum alternative to chemical-based control measures, with pests and pathogens targeted with accuracy and specificity. Limitations for a commercially viable product to overcome include stable delivery of the topically applied dsRNA and extension of the duration of protection. In addition to the research focus on delivery of dsRNA, development of regulatory frameworks, risk identification, and establishing avoidance and mitigation strategies is key to widespread deployment of topical RNAi technologies. Once in place, these measures will provide the crop protection industry with the certainty necessary to expend resources on the development of innovative dsRNA-based products. Readily evident risks to human health appear minimal, with multiple barriers to uptake and a long history of consumption of dsRNA from plant material. Unintended impacts to the environment are expected to be most apparent in species closely related to the target. Holistic design practices, which incorporate bioinformatics-based dsRNA selection along with experimental testing, represent important techniques for elimination of adverse impacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen J. Fletcher
- Centre for Horticultural Science, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | | | - Bao Tram Hoang
- Centre for Horticultural Science, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Neena Mitter
- Centre for Horticultural Science, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, QLD, Australia
- *Correspondence: Neena Mitter,
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Haller S, Widmer F, Siegfried BD, Zhuo X, Romeis J. Responses of two ladybird beetle species (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) to dietary RNAi. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2019; 75:2652-2662. [PMID: 30729648 DOI: 10.1002/ps.5370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2018] [Revised: 01/10/2019] [Accepted: 02/04/2019] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND One concern with the adoption of RNAi-based genetically engineered (GE) crops is the potential harm to valued non-target organisms. Species of Coccinellidae (Coleoptera) are important natural enemies and might be exposed to the insecticidal dsRNA produced by the plant. To assess their susceptibility to dietary RNAi, we fed Adalia bipunctata and Coccinella septempunctata with a dsRNA designed to target the vATPase A of the western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera (Dvv dsRNA). Specific dsRNAs designed to target the vATPase A of the two ladybird beetle species served as positive controls. RESULTS Our results revealed that both species were sensitive to dietary RNAi when ingesting their own dsRNAs, with C. septempunctata being more sensitive than A. bipunctata. Dvv dsRNA also adversely affected the two ladybird beetles as indicated by a significantly (but marginally) prolonged developmental time for A. bipunctata and a significantly reduced survival rate for C. septempunctata. These results, however, were obtained at Dvv dsRNA concentrations that were orders of magnitude higher than expected to occur in the field. Gene expression analyses confirmed the bioactivity of the dsRNA treatments and the results from the feeding bioassays. These results are consistent with the bioinformatics analyses, which revealed a higher number of 21-nucleotide-long matches, a requirement for effective RNAi, of the Dvv dsRNA with the vATPase A of C. septempunctata (34 matches) than with that of A. bipunctata (six matches). CONCLUSION Feeding bioassays revealed that two ladybird species are responsive to dietary RNAi. The two species, however, differed in their sensitivity. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Haller
- Research Division Agroecology and Environment, Agroscope, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Franco Widmer
- Competence Division Method Development and Analytics, Agroscope, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Blair D Siegfried
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Xuguo Zhuo
- Department of Entomology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Jörg Romeis
- Research Division Agroecology and Environment, Agroscope, Zurich, Switzerland
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Wang Z, Meng Q, Zhu X, Sun S, Gao S, Gou Y, Liu A. Evaluation and Validation of Reference Genes for Quantitative Real-Time PCR in Helopeltis theivora Waterhouse (Hemiptera: Miridae). Sci Rep 2019; 9:13291. [PMID: 31527603 PMCID: PMC6746731 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-49479-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2019] [Accepted: 08/23/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Helopeltis theivora Waterhouse is a predominant sucking pest in many tropic economic crops, such as tea, cocoa and coffee. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) is one of the most powerful tools to analyze the gene expression level and investigate the mechanism of insect physiology at transcriptional level. Gene expression studies utilizing qRT-PCR have been applied to numerous insects so far. However, no universal reference genes could be used for H. theivora. To obtain accurate and reliable normalized data in H. theivora, twelve candidate reference genes were examined under different tissues, developmental stages and sexes by using geNorm, NormFinder, BestKeeper, Delta Ct and RefFinder algorithms, respectively. The results revealed that the ideal reference genes differed across the treatments, and the consensus rankings generated from stability values provided by these programs suggested a combination of two genes for normalization. To be specific, RPS3A and Actin were the best suitable reference genes for tissues, RPL13A and GAPDH were suitable for developmental stages, EF1α and RPL13A were suitable for sexes, and RPL13A and RPS3A were suitable for all samples. This study represents the first systematic analysis of reference genes for qRT-PCR experiments in H. theivora, and the results can provide a credible normalization for qRT-PCR data, facilitating transcript profiling studies of functional genes in this insect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Wang
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory of Genetic Improvement and Quality Regulation for Tropical Spice and Beverage Crops, Spice and Beverage Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Wanning, 571533, China
| | - Qianqian Meng
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory of Genetic Improvement and Quality Regulation for Tropical Spice and Beverage Crops, Spice and Beverage Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Wanning, 571533, China
| | - Xi Zhu
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory of Genetic Improvement and Quality Regulation for Tropical Spice and Beverage Crops, Spice and Beverage Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Wanning, 571533, China.,Institute of Tropical Agriculture and Forestry, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China
| | - Shiwei Sun
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory of Genetic Improvement and Quality Regulation for Tropical Spice and Beverage Crops, Spice and Beverage Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Wanning, 571533, China
| | - Shengfeng Gao
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory of Genetic Improvement and Quality Regulation for Tropical Spice and Beverage Crops, Spice and Beverage Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Wanning, 571533, China
| | - Yafeng Gou
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory of Genetic Improvement and Quality Regulation for Tropical Spice and Beverage Crops, Spice and Beverage Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Wanning, 571533, China
| | - Aiqin Liu
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory of Genetic Improvement and Quality Regulation for Tropical Spice and Beverage Crops, Spice and Beverage Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Wanning, 571533, China. .,Institute of Tropical Agriculture and Forestry, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China.
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Kumar D, Gong C. Insect RNAi: Integrating a New Tool in the Crop Protection Toolkit. TRENDS IN INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY 2017. [PMCID: PMC7121382 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-61343-7_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Protecting crops against insect pests is a major focus area in crop protection. Over the past two decades, biotechnological interventions, especially Bt proteins, have been successfully implemented across the world and have had major impacts on reducing chemical pesticide applications. As insects continue to adapt to insecticides, both chemical and protein-based, new methods, molecules, and modes of action are necessary to provide sustainable solutions. RNA interference (RNAi) has emerged as a significant tool to knock down or alter gene expression profiles in a species-specific manner. In the past decade, there has been intense research on RNAi applications in crop protection. This chapter looks at the current state of knowledge in the field and outlines the methodology, delivery methods, and precautions required in designing targets. Assessing the targeting of specific gene expression is also an important part of a successful RNAi strategy. The current literature on the use of RNAi in major orders of insect pests is reviewed, along with a perspective on the regulatory aspects of the approach. Risk assessment of RNAi would focus on molecular characterization, food/feed risk assessment, and environmental risk assessment. As more RNAi-based products come through regulatory systems, either via direct application or plant expression based, the impact of this approach on crop protection will become clearer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dhiraj Kumar
- School of Biology and Basic Medical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Chengliang Gong
- School of Biology and Basic Medical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
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26
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Development of RNAi method for screening candidate genes to control emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis. Sci Rep 2017; 7:7379. [PMID: 28784998 PMCID: PMC5547101 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-07605-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2017] [Accepted: 06/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The ingestion of double-strand RNAs (dsRNA) targeting essential genes in an insect could cause mortality. Based on this principle, a new generation of insect control methods using RNA interference (RNAi) are being developed. In this work, we developed a bioassay for oral delivery of dsRNA to an invasive forest and urban tree pest, the emerald ash borer (EAB, Agrilus planipennis). EAB feeds and develops beneath the bark, killing trees rapidly. This behavior, coupled with the lack of a reliable artificial diet for rearing larvae and adults, make them difficult to study. We found that dsRNA is transported and processed to siRNAs by EAB larvae within 72 h after ingestion. Also, feeding neonate larvae with IAP (inhibitor of apoptosis) or COP (COPI coatomer, β subunit) dsRNA silenced their target genes and caused mortality. Both an increase in the concentration of dsRNA fed and sequential feeding of two different dsRNAs increased mortality. Here we provide evidence for successful RNAi in EAB, and demonstrate the development of a rapid and effective bioassay for oral delivery of dsRNA to screen additional genes.
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27
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Yang C, Preisser EL, Zhang H, Liu Y, Dai L, Pan H, Zhou X. Selection of Reference Genes for RT-qPCR Analysis in Coccinella septempunctata to Assess Un-intended Effects of RNAi Transgenic Plants. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2016; 7:1672. [PMID: 27877186 PMCID: PMC5099537 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2016.01672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2016] [Accepted: 10/24/2016] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The development of genetically engineered plants that employ RNA interference (RNAi) to suppress invertebrate pests opens up new avenues for insect control. While this biotechnology shows tremendous promise, the potential for both non-target and off-target impacts, which likely manifest via altered mRNA expression in the exposed organisms, remains a major concern. One powerful tool for the analysis of these un-intended effects is reverse transcriptase-quantitative polymerase chain reaction, a technique for quantifying gene expression using a suite of reference genes for normalization. The seven-spotted ladybeetle Coccinella septempunctata, a commonly used predator in both classical and augmentative biological controls, is a model surrogate species used in the environmental risk assessment (ERA) of plant incorporated protectants (PIPs). Here, we assessed the suitability of eight reference gene candidates for the normalization and analysis of C. septempunctata v-ATPase A gene expression under both biotic and abiotic conditions. Five computational tools with distinct algorisms, geNorm, Normfinder, BestKeeper, the ΔCt method, and RefFinder, were used to evaluate the stability of these candidates. As a result, unique sets of reference genes were recommended, respectively, for experiments involving different developmental stages, tissues, and ingested dsRNAs. By providing a foundation for standardized RT-qPCR analysis in C. septempunctata, our work improves the accuracy and replicability of the ERA of PIPs involving RNAi transgenic plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunxiao Yang
- College of Plant Protection, Hunan Agricultural UniversityHunan, China
- Institute of Plant Protection, Hunan Academy of Agricultural SciencesHunan, China
- Department of Entomology, University of Kentucky, LexingtonKY, USA
| | - Evan L. Preisser
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Rhode Island, KingstonRI, USA
| | - Hongjun Zhang
- Department of Entomology, University of Kentucky, LexingtonKY, USA
- Institute for the Control of Agrochemicals, Ministry of AgricultureBeijing, China
| | - Yong Liu
- Institute of Plant Protection, Hunan Academy of Agricultural SciencesHunan, China
| | - Liangying Dai
- College of Plant Protection, Hunan Agricultural UniversityHunan, China
| | - Huipeng Pan
- Department of Entomology, University of Kentucky, LexingtonKY, USA
- Department of Entomology, South China Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Bio-Pesticide Innovation and Application of Guangdong ProvinceGuangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Xuguo Zhou, Huipeng Pan,
| | - Xuguo Zhou
- Department of Entomology, University of Kentucky, LexingtonKY, USA
- *Correspondence: Xuguo Zhou, Huipeng Pan,
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