Insect RNAi: Integrating a New Tool in the Crop Protection Toolkit

Alamalakala, Leela; Parimi, Srinivas; Patel, Navid; Char, Bharat

doi:10.1007/978-3-319-61343-7_10

Cited by 8 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 217 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…With accumulating knowledge on the RNAi machinery, novel approaches using this technique have been elucidated and developed every year [18,19,31,60,72,73]. siRNAs of approximately 21-25 nucleotides are the key intermediaries in triggering sequence-specific RNA degradation during PTGS in invertebrates [72].…”

Section: Off-targetsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Given the variability in environmental exposure, barriers to systemic exposure, and differences in RNAi machinery among organisms, the bioinformatic software as the sole tool is not recommended [74,76,77]. Specialists from the academic, industrial, and government sectors have discussed several aspects of RNAi, with particular focus on furthering our knowledge of the technology for risk assessment [18,78]. The conference held by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development covered multiple perspectives related to RNAi-based pesticides.…”

Section: Off-targetsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…RNAi presents great potential for ACP management because most of the core machinery genes are present in insects [17]. Therefore, insect control can be achieved through the cultivation of genetically modified citrus plants or application of dsRNA-based pesticides, similar to the conventional ones [18]. However, the second approach can be considered easier for application in the field from the perspective of different regulatory processes across countries.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Advances and Challenges in RNA Interference Technology for Citrus Huanglongbing Vector Control

Marques¹,

Angelotti-Mendonça

Roberto

2021

Horticulturae

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Citrus species, including sweet oranges, grapefruits, pomelos, and lemons, are the most widely cultivated trees and consumed fruits worldwide. In citrus orchard management, the control of Huanglongbing (HLB) disease and its insect vector Diaphorina citri (Asian citrus psyllid, ACP) represents a major global challenge. Consumers have been increasingly pushing the citrus production chain toward a more sustainable system, including stringent measures to prevent the use of chemical pesticides. In recent years, biotechnological advances have offered safe and environmentally friendly alternatives for crop production. Technologies such as RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated gene silencing have emerged as innovative tools for agricultural pest management. Here, we provide an overview of RNAi as a promising approach for ACP control and discuss the associated challenges. Despite the availability of specific silencing sequences aimed at a target gene of the insect pest, the uptake of double-stranded RNA is limited in hemipteran insects. In this context, improved delivery methods, stability maintenance, and RNAi response are considered the factors contributing to the increased effectiveness of exogenous RNAi against hemipteran pests. These approaches can serve as potential tools for efficient ACP control.

show abstract

Section: Off-targetsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Off-targetsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Advances and Challenges in RNA Interference Technology for Citrus Huanglongbing Vector Control

Marques¹,

Angelotti-Mendonça

Roberto

2021

Horticulturae

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…However, this number was seen to gradually decrease in the subsequent generation, which may be due to degradation of dsRNA and consequential loss of activity (Bucher et al, 2002). These studies formed the basis for plant-based RNAi at field level for longer effectivity of RNAi extended even up to the next generation (Alamalakala et al, 2018). Another important pest belonging to Coleoptera order is the Colorado potato beetle, CPB (Leptinotarsa decemlineata).…”

Section: Vélez Et Al 2017mentioning

confidence: 99%

Next Generation dsRNA-Based Insect Control: Success So Far and Challenges

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

RNA interference (RNAi) is a method of gene silencing where dsRNA is digested into small interfering RNA (siRNA) in the presence of enzymes. These siRNAs then target homologous mRNA sequences aided by the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC). The mechanism of dsRNA uptake has been well studied and established across many living organisms including insects. In insects, RNAi is a novel and potential tool to develop future pest management means targeting various classes of insects including dipterans, coleopterans, hemipterans, lepidopterans, hymenopterans and isopterans. However, the extent of RNAi in individual class varies due to underlying mechanisms. The present review focuses on three major insect classes viz hemipterans, lepidopterans and coleopterans and the rationale behind this lies in the fact that studies pertaining to RNAi has been extensively performed in these groups. Additionally, these classes harbour major agriculturally important pest species which require due attention. Interestingly, all the three classes exhibit varying levels of RNAi efficiencies with the coleopterans exhibiting maximum response, while hemipterans are relatively inefficient. Lepidopterans on the other hand, show minimum response to RNAi. This has been attributed to many facts and few important being endosomal escape, high activity dsRNA-specific nucleases, and highly alkaline gut environment which renders the dsRNA unstable. Various methods have been established to ensure safe delivery of dsRNA into the biological system of the insect. The most common method for dsRNA administration is supplementing the diet of insects via spraying onto leaves and other commonly eaten parts of the plant. This method is environment-friendly and superior to the hazardous effects of pesticides. Another method involves submergence of root systems in dsRNA solutions and subsequent uptake by the phloem. Additionally, more recent techniques are nanoparticle- and Agrobacterium-mediated delivery systems. However, due to the novelty of these biotechnological methods and recalcitrant nature of certain crops, further optimization is required. This review emphasizes on RNAi developments in agriculturally important insect species and the major hurdles for efficient RNAi in these groups. The review also discusses in detail the development of new techniques to enhance RNAi efficiency using liposomes and nanoparticles, transplastomics, microbial-mediated delivery and chemical methods.

show abstract

“…Furthermore, most EU countries take positions against genetically modified crops ( Farinós et al 2018 ). Alternative methods implementing various biological agents such as viruses, pheromones, sterile insects, or RNA interference have been developed to control other pests ( Beevor et al 1990 ; Moscardi 1999 ; Cork et al 2003 ; Tian et al 2009 ; Jin et al 2013 ; Alamalakala et al 2018 ). In addition, several biological control programs targeting lepidopteran stemborers rely on the use of parasitoid wasps belonging to the genus Cotesia ( Kfir et al 2002 ; Muirhead et al 2012 ; Midingoyi et al 2016 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Draft nuclear genome and complete mitogenome of the Mediterranean corn borer,Sesamia nonagrioides, a major pest of maize

Muller

Ogereau

Da-Lage

et al. 2021

G3 Genes|Genomes|Genetics

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The Mediterranean corn borer (Sesamia nonagrioides, Noctuidae, Lepidoptera) is a major pest of maize in Europe and Africa. Here, we report an assembly of the nuclear and mitochondrial genome of a pool of inbred males and females third instar larvae, based on short- and long-read sequencing. The complete mitochondrial genome is 15,330 bp and contains all expected 13 and 24 protein-coding and RNA genes, respectively. The nuclear assembly is 1,021 Mbp, composed of 2,553 scaffolds and it has an N50 of 1,105 kbp. It is more than twice larger than that of all Noctuidae species sequenced to date, mainly due to a higher repeat content. A total of 17,230 protein-coding genes were predicted, including 15,776 with InterPro domains. We provide detailed annotation of genes involved in sex determination (dsx, IMP, PSI) and of alpha-amylase genes possibly involved in interaction with parasitoid wasps. We found no evidence of recent horizontal transfer of bracovirus genes from parasitoid wasps. These genome assemblies provide a solid molecular basis to study insect genome evolution and to further develop biocontrol strategies against S. nonagrioides

show abstract

Insect RNAi: Integrating a New Tool in the Crop Protection Toolkit

Cited by 8 publications

References 217 publications

Advances and Challenges in RNA Interference Technology for Citrus Huanglongbing Vector Control

Advances and Challenges in RNA Interference Technology for Citrus Huanglongbing Vector Control

Next Generation dsRNA-Based Insect Control: Success So Far and Challenges

Draft nuclear genome and complete mitogenome of the Mediterranean corn borer,Sesamia nonagrioides, a major pest of maize

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About