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Lucena-Leandro VS, Abreu EFA, Vidal LA, Torres CR, Junqueira CICVF, Dantas J, Albuquerque ÉVS. Current Scenario of Exogenously Induced RNAi for Lepidopteran Agricultural Pest Control: From dsRNA Design to Topical Application. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232415836. [PMID: 36555476 PMCID: PMC9785151 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232415836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Invasive insects cost the global economy around USD 70 billion per year. Moreover, increasing agricultural insect pests raise concerns about global food security constraining and infestation rising after climate changes. Current agricultural pest management largely relies on plant breeding-with or without transgenes-and chemical pesticides. Both approaches face serious technological obsolescence in the field due to plant resistance breakdown or development of insecticide resistance. The need for new modes of action (MoA) for managing crop health is growing each year, driven by market demands to reduce economic losses and by consumer demand for phytosanitary measures. The disabling of pest genes through sequence-specific expression silencing is a promising tool in the development of environmentally-friendly and safe biopesticides. The specificity conferred by long dsRNA-base solutions helps minimize effects on off-target genes in the insect pest genome and the target gene in non-target organisms (NTOs). In this review, we summarize the status of gene silencing by RNA interference (RNAi) for agricultural control. More specifically, we focus on the engineering, development and application of gene silencing to control Lepidoptera through non-transforming dsRNA technologies. Despite some delivery and stability drawbacks of topical applications, we reviewed works showing convincing proof-of-concept results that point to innovative solutions. Considerations about the regulation of the ongoing research on dsRNA-based pesticides to produce commercialized products for exogenous application are discussed. Academic and industry initiatives have revealed a worthy effort to control Lepidoptera pests with this new mode of action, which provides more sustainable and reliable technologies for field management. New data on the genomics of this taxon may contribute to a future customized target gene portfolio. As a case study, we illustrate how dsRNA and associated methodologies could be applied to control an important lepidopteran coffee pest.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Leonardo A. Vidal
- Embrapa Recursos Genéticos e Biotecnologia, Brasília 70770-917, DF, Brazil
- Department of Cellular Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Campus Darcy Ribeiro, Universidade de Brasília—UnB, Brasília 70910-9002, DF, Brazil
| | - Caroline R. Torres
- Embrapa Recursos Genéticos e Biotecnologia, Brasília 70770-917, DF, Brazil
- Department of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine, Campus Darcy Ribeiro, Universidade de Brasília—UnB, Brasília 70910-9002, DF, Brazil
| | - Camila I. C. V. F. Junqueira
- Embrapa Recursos Genéticos e Biotecnologia, Brasília 70770-917, DF, Brazil
- Department of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine, Campus Darcy Ribeiro, Universidade de Brasília—UnB, Brasília 70910-9002, DF, Brazil
| | - Juliana Dantas
- Embrapa Recursos Genéticos e Biotecnologia, Brasília 70770-917, DF, Brazil
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Nganso BT, Pines G, Soroker V. Insights into gene manipulation techniques for Acari functional genomics. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2022; 143:103705. [PMID: 35134533 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2021.103705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Revised: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Functional genomics is an essential tool for elucidating the structure and function of genes in any living organism. Here, we review the use of different gene manipulation techniques in functional genomics of Acari (mites and ticks). Some of these Acari species inflict severe economic losses to managed crops and health problems to humans, wild and domestic animals, but many also provide important ecosystem services worldwide. Currently, RNA interference (RNAi) is the leading gene expression manipulation tool followed by gene editing via the bacterial type II Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats and associated protein 9 system (CRISPR-Cas9). Whilst RNAi, via siRNA, does not always lead to expected outcomes, the exploitations of the CRISPR systems in Acari are still in their infancy and are limited only to CRISP/Cas9 to date. In this review, we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of RNAi and CRISPR-Cas9 and the technical challenges associated with their exploitations. We also compare the biochemical machinery of RNAi and CRISPR-Cas9 technologies. We highlight some potential solutions for experimental optimization of each mechanism in gene function studies. The potential benefits of adopting various CRISPR-Cas9 systems for expanding on functional genomics experiments in Acari are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatrice T Nganso
- Department of Entomology, Chemistry and Nematology, Institute of Plant Protection, Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Centre, Rishon LeZion, Israel.
| | - Gur Pines
- Department of Entomology, Chemistry and Nematology, Institute of Plant Protection, Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Centre, Rishon LeZion, Israel.
| | - Victoria Soroker
- Department of Entomology, Chemistry and Nematology, Institute of Plant Protection, Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Centre, Rishon LeZion, Israel.
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Ali A, Zeb I, Alouffi A, Zahid H, Almutairi MM, Ayed Alshammari F, Alrouji M, Termignoni C, Vaz IDS, Tanaka T. Host Immune Responses to Salivary Components - A Critical Facet of Tick-Host Interactions. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:809052. [PMID: 35372098 PMCID: PMC8966233 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.809052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Tick sialome is comprised of a rich cocktail of bioactive molecules that function as a tool to disarm host immunity, assist blood-feeding, and play a vibrant role in pathogen transmission. The adaptation of the tick's blood-feeding behavior has lead to the evolution of bioactive molecules in its saliva to assist them to overwhelm hosts' defense mechanisms. During a blood meal, a tick secretes different salivary molecules including vasodilators, platelet aggregation inhibitors, anticoagulants, anti-inflammatory proteins, and inhibitors of complement activation; the salivary repertoire changes to meet various needs such as tick attachment, feeding, and modulation or impairment of the local dynamic and vigorous host responses. For instance, the tick's salivary immunomodulatory and cement proteins facilitate the tick's attachment to the host to enhance prolonged blood-feeding and to modulate the host's innate and adaptive immune responses. Recent advances implemented in the field of "omics" have substantially assisted our understanding of host immune modulation and immune inhibition against the molecular dynamics of tick salivary molecules in a crosstalk between the tick-host interface. A deep understanding of the tick salivary molecules, their substantial roles in multifactorial immunological cascades, variations in secretion, and host immune responses against these molecules is necessary to control these parasites. In this article, we reviewed updated knowledge about the molecular mechanisms underlying host responses to diverse elements in tick saliva throughout tick invasion, as well as host defense strategies. In conclusion, understanding the mechanisms involved in the complex interactions between the tick salivary components and host responses is essential to decipher the host defense mechanisms against the tick evasion strategies at tick-host interface which is promising in the development of effective anti-tick vaccines and drug therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abid Ali
- Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan, Pakistan
| | - Ismail Zeb
- Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan, Pakistan
| | - Abdulaziz Alouffi
- King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hafsa Zahid
- Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan, Pakistan
| | - Mashal M. Almutairi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fahdah Ayed Alshammari
- College of Sciences and Literature Microbiology, Nothern Border University, Rafha, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed Alrouji
- College of Applied Medical Sciences, Shaqra University, Shaqra, Saudi Arabia
| | - Carlos Termignoni
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Itabajara da Silva Vaz
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Tetsuya Tanaka
- Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
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Stockmal KA, Downs LP, Davis AN, Kemp LK, Karim S, Morgan SE. Cationic Glycopolyelectrolytes for RNA Interference in Tick Cells. Biomacromolecules 2021; 23:34-46. [PMID: 34793129 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.1c00824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The black-legged tick (Ixodes scapularis) is the primary vector for bacteria that cause Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi), where numerous glycosylated tick proteins are involved at the interface of vector-host-pathogen interactions. Reducing the expression of key tick proteins, such as selenoprotein K (SelK), through RNA interference is a promising approach to reduce pathogen transmission, but efficient delivery of nucleic acids to arthropods has proven challenging. While cationic glycopolymers have been used as nonviral gene delivery vehicles in mammalian cells, their use in arthropod or insect gene transfection has not been established. In this study, statistical acrylamide-based cationic glycopolymers with glucose or galactose pendant groups were synthesized by reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization, and the effects of the saccharide pendant group and cationic monomer loading on polymer cytotoxicity, RNA complexation, and SelK gene knockdown in ISE6 cells were evaluated. All polymers exhibited low cytotoxicity, yet RNA/copolymer complex cell uptake and gene knockdown were highly dependent on the saccharide structure and the N:P (amino to phosphate groups) ratio.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelli A Stockmal
- School of Polymer Science and Engineering, The University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, Mississippi 39406-5050, United States
| | - Latoyia P Downs
- School of Biological, Environmental, and Earth Sciences, The University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, Mississippi 39406-5050, United States
| | - Ashley N Davis
- School of Polymer Science and Engineering, The University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, Mississippi 39406-5050, United States
| | - Lisa K Kemp
- School of Polymer Science and Engineering, The University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, Mississippi 39406-5050, United States
| | - Shahid Karim
- School of Biological, Environmental, and Earth Sciences, The University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, Mississippi 39406-5050, United States.,Center for Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, The University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, Mississippi 39406-5050, United States
| | - Sarah E Morgan
- School of Polymer Science and Engineering, The University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, Mississippi 39406-5050, United States
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Pereira DFS, Ribeiro HS, Gonçalves AAM, da Silva AV, Lair DF, de Oliveira DS, Boas DFV, Conrado IDSS, Leite JC, Barata LM, Reis PCC, Mariano RMDS, Santos TAP, Coutinho DCO, Gontijo NDF, Araujo RN, Galdino AS, Paes PRDO, Melo MM, Nagem RAP, Dutra WO, Silveira-Lemos DD, Rodrigues DS, Giunchetti RC. Rhipicephalus microplus: An overview of vaccine antigens against the cattle tick. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2021; 13:101828. [PMID: 34628330 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2021.101828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Rhipicephalus microplus, popularly known as the cattle tick, is the most important tick of livestock as it is responsible for significant economic losses. The use of chemical acaricides is still the most widely used control method despite its known disadvantages. Vaccination would be a safe alternative for the control of R. microplus and holds advantages over the use of chemical acaricides as it is environmental-friendly and leaves no residues in meat or milk. Two vaccines based on the Bm86 protein were commercialized, TickGARD® and Gavac®, with varying reported efficacies in different countries. The use of other vaccines, such as Tick Vac®, Go-Tick®, and Bovimune Ixovac® have been restricted to some countries. Several other proteins have been analyzed as possible antigens for more effective vaccines against R. microplus, including peptidases, serine proteinase inhibitors, glutathione S-transferases, metalloproteases, and ribosomal proteins, with efficacies ranging from 14% to 96%. Nonetheless, more research is needed to develop safe and efficient tick vaccines, such as the evaluation of the efficacy of antigens against other tick species to verify cross-reactivity and inclusion of additional antigens to promote the blocking of the infection and spreading of tick-borne diseases. This review summarizes the discoveries of candidate antigens for R. microplus tick vaccines as well as the methods used to test their efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diogo Fonseca Soares Pereira
- Laboratory of Cell-Cell Interactions, Institute of Biological Sciences, Department of Morphology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 31270-901, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Helen Silva Ribeiro
- Laboratory of Cell-Cell Interactions, Institute of Biological Sciences, Department of Morphology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 31270-901, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Ana Alice Maia Gonçalves
- Laboratory of Cell-Cell Interactions, Institute of Biological Sciences, Department of Morphology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 31270-901, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Augusto Ventura da Silva
- Laboratory of Cell-Cell Interactions, Institute of Biological Sciences, Department of Morphology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 31270-901, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Daniel Ferreira Lair
- Laboratory of Cell-Cell Interactions, Institute of Biological Sciences, Department of Morphology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 31270-901, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Diana Souza de Oliveira
- Laboratory of Cell-Cell Interactions, Institute of Biological Sciences, Department of Morphology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 31270-901, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Diego Fernandes Vilas Boas
- Laboratory of Cell-Cell Interactions, Institute of Biological Sciences, Department of Morphology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 31270-901, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Ingrid Dos Santos Soares Conrado
- Laboratory of Cell-Cell Interactions, Institute of Biological Sciences, Department of Morphology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 31270-901, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Jaqueline Costa Leite
- Laboratory of Cell-Cell Interactions, Institute of Biological Sciences, Department of Morphology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 31270-901, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Luccas Miranda Barata
- Laboratory of Cell-Cell Interactions, Institute of Biological Sciences, Department of Morphology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 31270-901, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Pedro Campos Carvalhaes Reis
- Laboratory of Cell-Cell Interactions, Institute of Biological Sciences, Department of Morphology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 31270-901, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Reysla Maria da Silveira Mariano
- Laboratory of Cell-Cell Interactions, Institute of Biological Sciences, Department of Morphology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 31270-901, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Thaiza Aline Pereira Santos
- Laboratory of Cell-Cell Interactions, Institute of Biological Sciences, Department of Morphology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 31270-901, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Danielle Carvalho Oliveira Coutinho
- Laboratory of Cell-Cell Interactions, Institute of Biological Sciences, Department of Morphology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 31270-901, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Nelder de Figueiredo Gontijo
- Laboratory of Physiology of Hematophagous Insects, Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Nascimento Araujo
- Laboratory of Physiology of Hematophagous Insects, Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Alexsandro Sobreira Galdino
- Microbial Biotechnology Laboratory, Biochemistry, Federal University of São João Del-Rei, Divinópolis, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Paulo Ricardo de Oliveira Paes
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Marília Martins Melo
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Ronaldo Alves Pinto Nagem
- Structural Biology and Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of biochemistry and immunology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Walderez Ornelas Dutra
- Laboratory of Cell-Cell Interactions, Institute of Biological Sciences, Department of Morphology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 31270-901, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | | | | | - Rodolfo Cordeiro Giunchetti
- Laboratory of Cell-Cell Interactions, Institute of Biological Sciences, Department of Morphology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 31270-901, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
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Parry R, James ME, Asgari S. Uncovering the Worldwide Diversity and Evolution of the Virome of the Mosquitoes Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. Microorganisms 2021; 9:1653. [PMID: 34442732 PMCID: PMC8398489 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9081653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2021] [Revised: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Aedes aegypti, the yellow fever mosquito, and Aedes albopictus, the Asian tiger mosquito, are the most significant vectors of dengue, Zika, and Chikungunya viruses globally. Studies examining host factors that control arbovirus transmission demonstrate that insect-specific viruses (ISVs) can modulate mosquitoes' susceptibility to arbovirus infection in both in vivo and in vitro co-infection models. While research is ongoing to implicate individual ISVs as proviral or antiviral factors, we have a limited understanding of the composition and diversity of the Aedes virome. To address this gap, we used a meta-analysis approach to uncover virome diversity by analysing ~3000 available RNA sequencing libraries representing a worldwide geographic range for both mosquitoes. We identified ten novel viruses and previously characterised viruses, including mononegaviruses, orthomyxoviruses, negeviruses, and a novel bi-segmented negev-like group. Phylogenetic analysis suggests close relatedness to mosquito viruses implying likely insect host range except for one arbovirus, the multi-segmented Jingmen tick virus (Flaviviridae) in an Italian colony of Ae. albopictus. Individual mosquito transcriptomes revealed remarkable inter-host variation of ISVs within individuals from the same colony and heterogeneity between different laboratory strains. Additionally, we identified striking virus diversity in Wolbachia infected Aedes cell lines. This study expands our understanding of the virome of these important vectors. It provides a resource for further assessing the ecology, evolution, and interaction of ISVs with their mosquito hosts and the arboviruses they transmit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rhys Parry
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Maddie E James
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; (M.E.J.); (S.A.)
| | - Sassan Asgari
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; (M.E.J.); (S.A.)
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Yoon JS, Ahn SJ, Flinn CM, Choi MY. Identification and functional analysis of dsRNases in spotted-wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii. ARCHIVES OF INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2021; 107:e21822. [PMID: 34155698 DOI: 10.1002/arch.21822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Revised: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
RNAi efficiency in insects is different from species to species; some species in Coleoptera are relatively more amenable to RNA interference (RNAi) than other species. One of the major factors is the presence of dsRNA-degrading enzymes, called dsRNases, in saliva, gut, or hemolymph in insects, which degrade the double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) introduced, resulting in the low efficacy of RNAi. In this study, we report a dsRNA-degrading activity in the gut homogenates from the spotted-wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii, by ex vivo assay. Then, we identified two Drosophila suzukii dsRNase genes, named DrosudsRNase1 and DrosudsRNase2. In silico analysis shows that the gene structures are similar to dsRNases found in other insects. When dsRNases expressed in Sf9 cells were compared for their dsRNA degrading activities, dsRNase1 was more vital than dsRNase2. Both dsRNases were expressed highly and exclusively in the gut compared to the rest of body. Also, they were highly expressed during larval and adult stages but not in embryonic and pupal stages, suggesting the dsRNases protect foreign RNA molecules received during the feeding periods. DsRNase1 was expressed at a higher level in adults, whereas dsRNase2 showed more expression in early larvae. Our study on the tissue and development-specific patterns of dsRNases provides an improved understanding of the RNAi application for the management of D. suzukii.
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Affiliation(s)
- June-Sun Yoon
- USDA-ARS Horticultural Crops Research Unit, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
- Department of Horticulture, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
| | - Seung-Joon Ahn
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology, and Plant Pathology, Mississippi State University, Mississippi, USA
| | - Christina M Flinn
- USDA-ARS Horticultural Crops Research Unit, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
- Department of Horticulture, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
| | - Man-Yeon Choi
- USDA-ARS Horticultural Crops Research Unit, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
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Jain RG, Robinson KE, Asgari S, Mitter N. Current scenario of RNAi-based hemipteran control. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2021; 77:2188-2196. [PMID: 33099867 DOI: 10.1002/ps.6153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Revised: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 10/25/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi) is an homology-dependent gene silencing mechanism that is a feasible and sustainable avenue for the management of hemipteran pests. Commercial implementation of RNAi-based control strategies is impeded by limited knowledge about the mechanism of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) uptake, the function of core RNAi genes and systemic RNAi mechanisms in hemipteran insects. This review briefly summarizes recent progress in RNAi-based studies aimed to reduce insect populations, viral transmission and insecticide resistance focusing on hemipteran pests. This review explores RNAi-mediated management of hemipteran insects and offers potential solutions, including in silico approaches coupled with laboratory-based toxicity assays to circumvent potential off-target effects against beneficial organisms. We further explore ways to mitigate degradation of dsRNA in the environment and the insect such as stacking and formulation of dsRNA effectors. Finally, we conclude by considering nontransformative RNAi approaches, concatomerization of RNAi sequences and pyramiding RNAi with active constituents to reduce dsRNA production and application cost, and to improve broad-spectrum hemipteran pest control. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ritesh G Jain
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, Centre for Horticultural Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Karl E Robinson
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, Centre for Horticultural Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Sassan Asgari
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Neena Mitter
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, Centre for Horticultural Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
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Fogaça AC, Sousa G, Pavanelo DB, Esteves E, Martins LA, Urbanová V, Kopáček P, Daffre S. Tick Immune System: What Is Known, the Interconnections, the Gaps, and the Challenges. Front Immunol 2021; 12:628054. [PMID: 33737931 PMCID: PMC7962413 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.628054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Ticks are ectoparasitic arthropods that necessarily feed on the blood of their vertebrate hosts. The success of blood acquisition depends on the pharmacological properties of tick saliva, which is injected into the host during tick feeding. Saliva is also used as a vehicle by several types of pathogens to be transmitted to the host, making ticks versatile vectors of several diseases for humans and other animals. When a tick feeds on an infected host, the pathogen reaches the gut of the tick and must migrate to its salivary glands via hemolymph to be successfully transmitted to a subsequent host during the next stage of feeding. In addition, some pathogens can colonize the ovaries of the tick and be transovarially transmitted to progeny. The tick immune system, as well as the immune system of other invertebrates, is more rudimentary than the immune system of vertebrates, presenting only innate immune responses. Although simpler, the large number of tick species evidences the efficiency of their immune system. The factors of their immune system act in each tick organ that interacts with pathogens; therefore, these factors are potential targets for the development of new strategies for the control of ticks and tick-borne diseases. The objective of this review is to present the prevailing knowledge on the tick immune system and to discuss the challenges of studying tick immunity, especially regarding the gaps and interconnections. To this end, we use a comparative approach of the tick immune system with the immune system of other invertebrates, focusing on various components of humoral and cellular immunity, such as signaling pathways, antimicrobial peptides, redox metabolism, complement-like molecules and regulated cell death. In addition, the role of tick microbiota in vector competence is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andréa C. Fogaça
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Géssica Sousa
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Daniel B. Pavanelo
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Eliane Esteves
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Larissa A. Martins
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice, Czechia
- Laboratory of Bacteriology, Tick-Pathogen Transmission Unit, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Hamilton, MT, United States
| | - Veronika Urbanová
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice, Czechia
| | - Petr Kopáček
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice, Czechia
| | - Sirlei Daffre
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Hart CE, Thangamani S. Tick-virus interactions: Current understanding and future perspectives. Parasite Immunol 2021; 43:e12815. [PMID: 33368375 DOI: 10.1111/pim.12815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Revised: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Ticks are the primary vector of arboviruses in temperate climates worldwide. They are both the vector of these pathogens to humans and an integral component of the viral sylvatic cycle. Understanding the tick-pathogen interaction provides information about the natural maintenance of these pathogens and informs the development of countermeasures against human infection. In this review, we discuss currently available information on tick-viral interactions within the broader scope of general tick immunology. While the tick immune response to several pathogens has been studied extensively, minimal work centres on responses to viral infection. This is largely due to the high pathogenicity of tick-borne viruses; this necessitates high-containment laboratories or low-pathogenicity substitute viruses. This has biased most research towards tick-borne flaviviruses. More work is required to fully understand the role of tick-virus interaction in sylvatic cycling and transmission of diverse tick-borne viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles Edward Hart
- Institute for Global Health and Translational Science, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, USA
| | - Saravanan Thangamani
- Institute for Global Health and Translational Science, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, USA
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11
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Nganso BT, Sela N, Soroker V. A genome-wide screening for RNAi pathway proteins in Acari. BMC Genomics 2020; 21:791. [PMID: 33183236 PMCID: PMC7659050 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-020-07162-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND RNA interference (RNAi) is a highly conserved, sequence-specific gene silencing mechanism present in Eukaryotes. Three RNAi pathways are known, namely micro-RNA (miRNA), piwi-interacting RNA (piRNA) and short interfering RNA (siRNA). However, little knowledge exists about the proteins involved in these pathways in Acari. Moreover, variable successes has been obtained in gene knockdown via siRNA pathway in their functional genomics and management. We hypothesized that the clue may be in the variability of the composition and the efficacy of siRNA machinery among Acari. RESULTS Both comparative genomic analyses and domain annotation suggest that all the analyzed species have homologs of putative core proteins that mediate cleaving of targeted genes via the three RNAi pathways. We identified putative homologs of Caenorhabditis elegans RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP) protein in all species though no secondary Argonaute homologs that operate with this protein in siRNA amplification mechanism were found, suggesting that the siRNA amplification mechanism present in Acari may be distinct from that described in C. elegans. Moreover, the genomes of these species do not encode homologs of C. elegans systemic RNAi defective-1 (Sid-1) protein that mediate silencing of the mRNA target throughout the treated organisms suggesting that the phenomena of systemic RNAi that has been reported in some Acari species probably occur through a different mechanism. However, homologs of putative RNAi spreading defective-3 (Rsd-3) protein and scavenger receptors namely Eater and SR-CI that mediate endocytosis cellular update of dsRNA in C. elegans and Drosophila melanogaster were found in Acari genomes. This result suggests that cellular dsRNA uptake in Acari is endocytosis-dependent. Detailed phylogenetic analyses of core RNAi pathway proteins in the studied species revealed that their evolution is compatible with the proposed monophyletic evolution of this group. CONCLUSIONS Our analyses have revealed the potential activity of all three pathways in Acari. Still, much experimental work remains to be done to confirm the mechanisms behind these pathways in particular those that govern systemic/parental RNAi and siRNA amplification in Acari. Disclosure of these mechanisms will facilitate the development of new and specific management tools for the harmful species and enrichment of the beneficial species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatrice T Nganso
- Institute of Plant Protection, Agricultural Research Organization, the Volcani Center, P.O.B 15159, 7505101, Rishon leZion, Israel
| | - Noa Sela
- Institute of Plant Protection, Agricultural Research Organization, the Volcani Center, P.O.B 15159, 7505101, Rishon leZion, Israel
| | - Victoria Soroker
- Institute of Plant Protection, Agricultural Research Organization, the Volcani Center, P.O.B 15159, 7505101, Rishon leZion, Israel.
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12
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Yoon JS, Koo J, George S, Palli SR. Evaluation of inhibitor of apoptosis genes as targets for RNAi-mediated control of insect pests. ARCHIVES OF INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2020; 104:e21689. [PMID: 32394607 PMCID: PMC9945918 DOI: 10.1002/arch.21689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Revised: 04/10/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Apoptosis has been widely studied from mammals to insects. Inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) protein is a negative regulator of apoptosis. Recent studies suggest that iap genes could be excellent targets for RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated control of insect pests. However, not much is known about iap genes in one of the well-known insect model species, Tribolium castaneum. The orthologues of five iap genes were identified in T. castaneum by searching its genome at NCBI (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/) and UniProt (https://www.uniprot.org/) databases using Drosophila melanogaster and Aedes aegypti IAP protein sequences as queries. RNAi assays were performed in T. castaneum cell line (TcA) and larvae. The knockdown of iap1 gene induced a distinct apoptotic phenotype in TcA cells and induced 91% mortality in T. castaneum larvae. Whereas, knockdown of iap5 resulted in a decrease in cell proliferation in TcA cells and developmental defects in T. castaneum larvae which led to 100% mortality. Knockdown of the other three iap genes identified did not cause a significant effect on cells or insects. These data increase our understanding of iap genes in insects and provide opportunities for developing iap1 and iap5 as targets for RNAi-based insect pest control.
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Affiliation(s)
- June-Sun Yoon
- Department of Entomology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
| | - Jinmo Koo
- Department of Entomology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
| | - Smitha George
- Department of Entomology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
| | - Subba R Palli
- Department of Entomology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
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13
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Parry R, Naccache F, Ndiaye EH, Fall G, Castelli I, Lühken R, Medlock J, Cull B, Hesson JC, Montarsi F, Failloux AB, Kohl A, Schnettler E, Diallo M, Asgari S, Dietrich I, Becker SC. Identification and RNAi Profile of a Novel Iflavirus Infecting Senegalese Aedes vexans arabiensis Mosquitoes. Viruses 2020; 12:E440. [PMID: 32295109 PMCID: PMC7232509 DOI: 10.3390/v12040440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2020] [Revised: 04/10/2020] [Accepted: 04/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The inland floodwater mosquito Aedes vexans (Meigen, 1830) is a competent vector of numerous arthropod-borne viruses such as Rift Valley fever virus (Phenuiviridae) and Zika virus (Flaviviridae). Aedes vexans spp. have widespread Afrotropical distribution and are common European cosmopolitan mosquitoes. We examined the virome of Ae. vexans arabiensis samples from Barkédji village, Senegal, with small RNA sequencing, bioinformatic analysis, and RT-PCR screening. We identified a novel 9494 nt iflavirus (Picornaviridae) designated here as Aedes vexans iflavirus (AvIFV). Annotation of the AvIFV genome reveals a 2782 amino acid polyprotein with iflavirus protein domain architecture and typical iflavirus 5' internal ribosomal entry site and 3' poly-A tail. Aedes vexans iflavirus is most closely related to a partial virus sequence from Venturia canescens (a parasitoid wasp) with 56.77% pairwise amino acid identity. Analysis of AvIFV-derived small RNAs suggests that AvIFV is targeted by the exogenous RNA interference pathway but not the PIWI-interacting RNA response, as ~60% of AvIFV reads corresponded to 21 nt Dicer-2 virus-derived small RNAs and the 24-29 nt AvIFV read population did not exhibit a "ping-pong" signature. The RT-PCR screens of archival and current (circa 2011-2020) Ae. vexans arabiensis laboratory samples and wild-caught mosquitoes from Barkédji suggest that AvIFV is ubiquitous in these mosquitoes. Further, we screened wild-caught European Ae. vexans samples from Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, and Sweden, all of which tested negative for AvIFV RNA. This report provides insight into the diversity of commensal Aedes viruses and the host RNAi response towards iflaviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rhys Parry
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; (R.P.); (S.A.)
| | - Fanny Naccache
- Institute for Parasitology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30559 Hannover, Germany;
- Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | - El Hadji Ndiaye
- Pole de Zoologie Médicale, Institut Pasteur de Dakar, Dakar BP 220, Senegal; (E.H.N.); (M.D.)
| | - Gamou Fall
- Pole de Virologie, Unité des Arbovirus et Virus de Fièvres Hémorragiques, Institut Pasteur de Dakar, Dakar BP 220, Senegal;
| | - Ilaria Castelli
- Arboviruses and Insect Vectors, Department of Virology, Institut Pasteur, 75724 Paris, France; (I.C.); (A.-B.F.)
| | - Renke Lühken
- Faculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences, Universiät Hamburg, 20148 Hamburg, Germany; (R.L.); (E.S.)
- Bernhard-Nocht-Institute for Tropical Medicine, 20359 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jolyon Medlock
- Health Protection Research Unit in Emerging and Zoonotic Infection, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK;
- Medical Entomology & Zoonoses Ecology, Emergency Response Department Science & Technology, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK; or
| | - Benjamin Cull
- Medical Entomology & Zoonoses Ecology, Emergency Response Department Science & Technology, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK; or
| | - Jenny C. Hesson
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology/Zoonosis Science Center, Uppsala University, 75237 Uppsala, Sweden;
| | - Fabrizio Montarsi
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, 35020 Legnaro (Padua), Italy;
| | - Anna-Bella Failloux
- Arboviruses and Insect Vectors, Department of Virology, Institut Pasteur, 75724 Paris, France; (I.C.); (A.-B.F.)
| | - Alain Kohl
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK;
| | - Esther Schnettler
- Faculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences, Universiät Hamburg, 20148 Hamburg, Germany; (R.L.); (E.S.)
- Bernhard-Nocht-Institute for Tropical Medicine, 20359 Hamburg, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research, partner site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems, 20359 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Mawlouth Diallo
- Pole de Zoologie Médicale, Institut Pasteur de Dakar, Dakar BP 220, Senegal; (E.H.N.); (M.D.)
| | - Sassan Asgari
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; (R.P.); (S.A.)
| | | | - Stefanie C. Becker
- Institute for Parasitology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30559 Hannover, Germany;
- Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30559 Hannover, Germany
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Parry R, Asgari S. Discovery of Novel Crustacean and Cephalopod Flaviviruses: Insights into the Evolution and Circulation of Flaviviruses between Marine Invertebrate and Vertebrate Hosts. J Virol 2019; 93:e00432-19. [PMID: 31068424 PMCID: PMC6600200 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00432-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2019] [Accepted: 04/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Most described flaviviruses (family Flaviviridae) are disease-causing pathogens of vertebrates maintained in zoonotic cycles between mosquitoes or ticks and vertebrate hosts. Poor sampling of flaviviruses outside vector-borne flaviviruses such as Zika virus and dengue virus has presented a narrow understanding of flavivirus diversity and evolution. In this study, we discovered three crustacean flaviviruses (Gammarus chevreuxi flavivirus, Gammarus pulex flavivirus, and Crangon crangon flavivirus) and two cephalopod flaviviruses (Southern Pygmy squid flavivirus and Firefly squid flavivirus). Bayesian and maximum likelihood phylogenetic methods demonstrate that crustacean flaviviruses form a well-supported clade and share a more closely related ancestor with terrestrial vector-borne flaviviruses than with classical insect-specific flaviviruses. In addition, we identify variants of Wenzhou shark flavivirus in multiple gazami crab (Portunus trituberculatus) populations, with active replication supported by evidence of an active RNA interference response. This suggests that Wenzhou shark flavivirus moves horizontally between sharks and gazami crabs in ocean ecosystems. Analyses of the mono- and dinucleotide composition of marine flaviviruses compared to that of flaviviruses with known host status suggest that some marine flaviviruses share a nucleotide bias similar to that of vector-borne flaviviruses. Furthermore, we identify crustacean flavivirus endogenous viral elements that are closely related to elements of terrestrial vector-borne flaviviruses. Taken together, these data provide evidence of flaviviruses circulating between marine vertebrates and invertebrates, expand our understanding of flavivirus host range, and offer potential insights into the evolution and emergence of terrestrial vector-borne flaviviruses.IMPORTANCE Some flaviviruses are known to cause disease in vertebrates and are typically transmitted by blood-feeding arthropods such as ticks and mosquitoes. While an ever-increasing number of insect-specific flaviviruses have been described, we have a narrow understanding of flavivirus incidence and evolution. To expand this understanding, we discovered a number of novel flaviviruses that infect a range of crustaceans and cephalopod hosts. Phylogenetic analyses of these novel marine flaviviruses suggest that crustacean flaviviruses share a close ancestor to all terrestrial vector-borne flaviviruses, and squid flaviviruses are the most divergent of all known flaviviruses to date. Additionally, our results indicate horizontal transmission of a marine flavivirus between crabs and sharks. Taken together, these data suggest that flaviviruses move horizontally between invertebrates and vertebrates in ocean ecosystems. This study demonstrates that flavivirus invertebrate-vertebrate host associations have arisen in flaviviruses at least twice and may potentially provide insights into the emergence or origin of terrestrial vector-borne flaviviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rhys Parry
- Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Sassan Asgari
- Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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15
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Waldron FM, Stone GN, Obbard DJ. Metagenomic sequencing suggests a diversity of RNA interference-like responses to viruses across multicellular eukaryotes. PLoS Genet 2018; 14:e1007533. [PMID: 30059538 PMCID: PMC6085071 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1007533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2018] [Revised: 08/09/2018] [Accepted: 07/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi)-related pathways target viruses and transposable element (TE) transcripts in plants, fungi, and ecdysozoans (nematodes and arthropods), giving protection against infection and transmission. In each case, this produces abundant TE and virus-derived 20-30nt small RNAs, which provide a characteristic signature of RNAi-mediated defence. The broad phylogenetic distribution of the Argonaute and Dicer-family genes that mediate these pathways suggests that defensive RNAi is ancient, and probably shared by most animal (metazoan) phyla. Indeed, while vertebrates had been thought an exception, it has recently been argued that mammals also possess an antiviral RNAi pathway, although its immunological relevance is currently uncertain and the viral small RNAs (viRNAs) are not easily detectable. Here we use a metagenomic approach to test for the presence of viRNAs in five species from divergent animal phyla (Porifera, Cnidaria, Echinodermata, Mollusca, and Annelida), and in a brown alga-which represents an independent origin of multicellularity from plants, fungi, and animals. We use metagenomic RNA sequencing to identify around 80 virus-like contigs in these lineages, and small RNA sequencing to identify viRNAs derived from those viruses. We identified 21U small RNAs derived from an RNA virus in the brown alga, reminiscent of plant and fungal viRNAs, despite the deep divergence between these lineages. However, contrary to our expectations, we were unable to identify canonical (i.e. Drosophila- or nematode-like) viRNAs in any of the animals, despite the widespread presence of abundant micro-RNAs, and somatic transposon-derived piwi-interacting RNAs. We did identify a distinctive group of small RNAs derived from RNA viruses in the mollusc. However, unlike ecdysozoan viRNAs, these had a piRNA-like length distribution but lacked key signatures of piRNA biogenesis. We also identified primary piRNAs derived from putatively endogenous copies of DNA viruses in the cnidarian and the echinoderm, and an endogenous RNA virus in the mollusc. The absence of canonical virus-derived small RNAs from our samples may suggest that the majority of animal phyla lack an antiviral RNAi response. Alternatively, these phyla could possess an antiviral RNAi response resembling that reported for vertebrates, with cryptic viRNAs not detectable through simple metagenomic sequencing of wild-type individuals. In either case, our findings show that the antiviral RNAi responses of arthropods and nematodes, which are highly divergent from each other and from that of plants and fungi, are also highly diverged from the most likely ancestral metazoan state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fergal M. Waldron
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, University of Edinburgh, Ashworth Laboratories, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Graham N. Stone
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, University of Edinburgh, Ashworth Laboratories, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Darren J. Obbard
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, University of Edinburgh, Ashworth Laboratories, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Centre for Immunity Infection and Evolution, University of Edinburgh, Ashworth Laboratories, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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16
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Yoon JS, Shukla JN, Gong ZJ, Mogilicherla K, Palli SR. RNA interference in the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata: Identification of key contributors. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2016; 78:78-88. [PMID: 27687845 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2016.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2016] [Revised: 09/22/2016] [Accepted: 09/23/2016] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi) is a useful reverse genetics tool for investigation of gene function as well as for practical applications in many fields including medicine and agriculture. RNAi works very well in coleopteran insects including the Colorado potato beetle (CPB), Leptinotarsa decemlineata. We used a cell line (Lepd-SL1) developed from CPB to identify genes that play key roles in RNAi. We screened 50 genes with potential functions in RNAi by exposing Lepd-SL1 cells to dsRNA targeting one of the potential RNAi pathway genes followed by incubation with dsRNA targeting inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP, silencing of this gene induces apoptosis). Out of 50 genes tested, silencing of 29 genes showed an effect on RNAi. Silencing of five genes (Argonaute-1, Argonaute-2a, Argonaute-2b, Aubergine and V-ATPase 16 kDa subunit 1, Vha16) blocked RNAi suggesting that these genes are essential for functioning of RNAi in Lepd-SL1 cells. Interestingly, Argonaute-1 and Aubergine which are known to function in miRNA and piRNA pathways respectively are also critical to siRNA pathway. Using 32P labeled dsRNA, we showed that these miRNA and piRNA Argonautes but not Argonaute-2 are required for processing of dsRNA to siRNA. Transfection of pIZT/V5 constructs containing these five genes into Sf9 cells (the cells where RNAi does not work well) showed that expression of all genes tested, except the Argonaute-2a, improved RNAi in these cells. Results from Vha16 gene silencing and bafilomycin-A1 treatment suggest that endosomal escape plays an important role in dsRNA-mediated RNAi in Lepd-SL1 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- June-Sun Yoon
- Department of Entomology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546, USA
| | | | - Zhong Jun Gong
- Department of Entomology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546, USA
| | | | - Subba Reddy Palli
- Department of Entomology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546, USA.
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17
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Zamanian M, Andersen EC. Prospects and challenges of CRISPR/Cas genome editing for the study and control of neglected vector-borne nematode diseases. FEBS J 2016; 283:3204-21. [PMID: 27300487 PMCID: PMC5053252 DOI: 10.1111/febs.13781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2016] [Revised: 06/05/2016] [Accepted: 06/13/2016] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Neglected tropical diseases caused by parasitic nematodes inflict an immense health and socioeconomic burden throughout much of the developing world. Current estimates indicate that more than two billion people are infected with nematodes, resulting in the loss of 14 million disability-adjusted life years per annum. Although these parasites cause significant mortality, they primarily cause chronic morbidity through a wide range of severe clinical ailments. Treatment options for nematode infections are restricted to a small number of anthelmintic drugs, and the rapid expansion of anthelmintic mass drug administration raises concerns of drug resistance. Preservation of existing drugs is necessary, as well as the development of new treatment options and methods of control. We focus this review on how the democratization of CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technology can be enlisted to improve our understanding of the biology of nematode parasites and our ability to treat the infections they cause. We will first explore how this robust method of genome manipulation can be used to newly exploit the powerful model nematode Caenorhabditis elegans for parasitology research. We will then discuss potential avenues to develop CRISPR/Cas9 editing protocols in filarial nematodes. Lastly, we will propose potential ways in which CRISPR/Cas9 can be used to engineer gene drives that target the transmission of mosquito-borne filarial nematodes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mostafa Zamanian
- Department of Molecular BiosciencesNorthwestern UniversityEvanstonILUSA
| | - Erik C. Andersen
- Department of Molecular BiosciencesNorthwestern UniversityEvanstonILUSA
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18
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Hedil M, Kormelink R. Viral RNA Silencing Suppression: The Enigma of Bunyavirus NSs Proteins. Viruses 2016; 8:v8070208. [PMID: 27455310 PMCID: PMC4974542 DOI: 10.3390/v8070208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2016] [Revised: 07/18/2016] [Accepted: 07/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The Bunyaviridae is a family of arboviruses including both plant- and vertebrate-infecting representatives. The Tospovirus genus accommodates plant-infecting bunyaviruses, which not only replicate in their plant host, but also in their insect thrips vector during persistent propagative transmission. For this reason, they are generally assumed to encounter antiviral RNA silencing in plants and insects. Here we present an overview on how tospovirus nonstructural NSs protein counteracts antiviral RNA silencing in plants and what is known so far in insects. Like tospoviruses, members of the related vertebrate-infecting bunyaviruses classified in the genera Orthobunyavirus, Hantavirus and Phlebovirus also code for a NSs protein. However, for none of them RNA silencing suppressor activity has been unambiguously demonstrated in neither vertebrate host nor arthropod vector. The second part of this review will briefly describe the role of these NSs proteins in modulation of innate immune responses in mammals and elaborate on a hypothetical scenario to explain if and how NSs proteins from vertebrate-infecting bunyaviruses affect RNA silencing. If so, why this discovery has been hampered so far.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcio Hedil
- Laboratory of Virology, Department of Plant Sciences, Wageningen University, Wageningen, 6708PB, The Netherlands.
| | - Richard Kormelink
- Laboratory of Virology, Department of Plant Sciences, Wageningen University, Wageningen, 6708PB, The Netherlands.
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19
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Ayllón N, Naranjo V, Hajdušek O, Villar M, Galindo RC, Kocan KM, Alberdi P, Šíma R, Cabezas-Cruz A, Rückert C, Bell-Sakyi L, Kazimírová M, Havlíková S, Klempa B, Kopáček P, de la Fuente J. Nuclease Tudor-SN Is Involved in Tick dsRNA-Mediated RNA Interference and Feeding but Not in Defense against Flaviviral or Anaplasma phagocytophilum Rickettsial Infection. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0133038. [PMID: 26186700 PMCID: PMC4506139 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0133038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2015] [Accepted: 06/23/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Tudor staphylococcal nuclease (Tudor-SN) and Argonaute (Ago) are conserved components of the basic RNA interference (RNAi) machinery with a variety of functions including immune response and gene regulation. The RNAi machinery has been characterized in tick vectors of human and animal diseases but information is not available on the role of Tudor-SN in tick RNAi and other cellular processes. Our hypothesis is that tick Tudor-SN is part of the RNAi machinery and may be involved in innate immune response and other cellular processes. To address this hypothesis, Ixodes scapularis and I. ricinus ticks and/or cell lines were used to annotate and characterize the role of Tudor-SN in dsRNA-mediated RNAi, immune response to infection with the rickettsia Anaplasma phagocytophilum and the flaviviruses TBEV or LGTV and tick feeding. The results showed that Tudor-SN is conserved in ticks and involved in dsRNA-mediated RNAi and tick feeding but not in defense against infection with the examined viral and rickettsial pathogens. The effect of Tudor-SN gene knockdown on tick feeding could be due to down-regulation of genes that are required for protein processing and blood digestion through a mechanism that may involve selective degradation of dsRNAs enriched in G:U pairs that form as a result of adenosine-to-inosine RNA editing. These results demonstrated that Tudor-SN plays a role in tick RNAi pathway and feeding but no strong evidence for a role in innate immune responses to pathogen infection was found.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nieves Ayllón
- SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC, CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ronda de Toledo s/n, 13005, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Victoria Naranjo
- SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC, CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ronda de Toledo s/n, 13005, Ciudad Real, Spain
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States of America
| | - Ondrej Hajdušek
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Branišovská 31, 37005, České Budějovice, The Czech Republic
| | - Margarita Villar
- SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC, CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ronda de Toledo s/n, 13005, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Ruth C. Galindo
- SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC, CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ronda de Toledo s/n, 13005, Ciudad Real, Spain
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States of America
| | - Katherine M. Kocan
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States of America
| | - Pilar Alberdi
- SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC, CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ronda de Toledo s/n, 13005, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Radek Šíma
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Branišovská 31, 37005, České Budějovice, The Czech Republic
| | - Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz
- SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC, CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ronda de Toledo s/n, 13005, Ciudad Real, Spain
- Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille (CIIL), INSERM U1019 –CNRS UMR 8204, Université Lille Nord de France, Institut Pasteur de Lille, Lille, France
| | - Claudia Rückert
- The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Pirbright, Woking, GU24 0NF, United Kingdom
| | - Lesley Bell-Sakyi
- The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Pirbright, Woking, GU24 0NF, United Kingdom
| | - Mária Kazimírová
- Institute of Zoology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 84506, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Sabína Havlíková
- Institute of Virology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 84505, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Boris Klempa
- Institute of Virology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 84505, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Petr Kopáček
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Branišovská 31, 37005, České Budějovice, The Czech Republic
| | - José de la Fuente
- SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC, CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ronda de Toledo s/n, 13005, Ciudad Real, Spain
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Lucilia cuprina genome unlocks parasitic fly biology to underpin future interventions. Nat Commun 2015; 6:7344. [PMID: 26108605 PMCID: PMC4491171 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms8344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2015] [Accepted: 04/29/2015] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Lucilia cuprina is a parasitic fly of major economic importance worldwide. Larvae of this fly invade their animal host, feed on tissues and excretions and progressively cause severe skin disease (myiasis). Here we report the sequence and annotation of the 458-megabase draft genome of Lucilia cuprina. Analyses of this genome and the 14,544 predicted protein-encoding genes provide unique insights into the fly's molecular biology, interactions with the host animal and insecticide resistance. These insights have broad implications for designing new methods for the prevention and control of myiasis.
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Marr EJ, Sargison ND, Nisbet AJ, Burgess STG. RNA interference for the identification of ectoparasite vaccine candidates. Parasite Immunol 2015; 36:616-26. [PMID: 25065384 DOI: 10.1111/pim.12132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2014] [Accepted: 07/23/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Ectoparasites present a major challenge for disease management globally. With drug resistance increasingly observed in many disease-causing species, the need for novel control measures is pressing. Ever-expanding genomic resources from 'next generation' sequencing are now available for a number of arthropod ectoparasites, necessitating an effective means of screening these data for novel candidates for vaccine antigens or targets for chemotherapeutics. Such in vitro screening methods must be developed if we are to make discoveries in a timely and cost-effective manner. This review will discuss the potential that RNA interference (RNAi) has demonstrated thus far in the context of arthropod ectoparasites and the potential roles for this technology in the development of novel methods for parasite control.
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Affiliation(s)
- E J Marr
- Division of Vaccines and Diagnostics, Pentlands Science Park, Moredun Research Institute, Bush Loan, Penicuik, Edinburgh, UK; Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Roslin, Midlothian, UK
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