Nanoparticle carriers enhance RNA stability and uptake efficiency and prolong the protection against Rhizoctonia solani

Abstract

Spray-induced gene silencing (SIGS) can inhibit plant diseases by topical application of double- (dsRNA) or single-stranded (sRNA) RNA molecules onto plants to silence virulence-related pathogen genes. However, the on-field application of SIGS is limited by the instability of naked RNA and low RNA uptake by pathogens. Nanoparticles have been used as RNA carriers to enhance RNA silencing. Rice sheath blight caused by Rhizoctonia solani (R. solani) is one of the most devastating fungal diseases in rice (Oryza sativa L.). In this study, we aimed to explore the protective effects of nanoparticle-delivered dsRNA against rice sheath blight. The key pathogenic genes, RsAGO1 and RsAGO2, of R. solani were screened as targets for dsRNA. Chitosan (CS), polyethyleneimine (PEI), protamine, carbon quantum dot (CQD), polyamidoamine (PAMAM), and chitosan/SPc complex (CSC) were selected as dsRNA carriers. All the evaluated nanoparticles could assemble with dsRNA to form nanoparticle-dsRNA complexes, and CQD and CSC showed improved dsRNA load capacity. Particularly, CSC could enhance the stability of dsRNA and cause a 7% reduction in fluorescence intensity after nuclease treatment. CSC and CS effectively enhanced the efficiency of dsRNA uptake by pathogens. Furthermore, CSC could reduce pathogen infection and prolong the protection time of dsRNA by up to 20 days. Overall, this study provides a novel and efficacious SIGS-based strategy for producing RNA-based fungicides.

Characterisation and functionalisation of chitosan nanoparticles as carriers for double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) molecules towards sustainable crop protection

“…The entrapped chitosan-dsRNA NPs could further open the opportunity for future developments involving the ability of nanomaterials to overcome leaf cuticle barrier, by-pass through cell wall and plasma membrane and avoid degrading in vivo nucleases [ 31 , 37 ]. Comparably to medical treatments, low-dimension NPs may allow easy and targeted delivery of functionalising molecules also inside plant tissue, possibly giving them free access to cell metabolism and even a long-distance distribution with systemic effects or being more efficiently uptaken by phytopathogens [ 39 ].…”

Transport of Nanoparticles into Plants and Their Detection Methods

“…These nanoparticles are designed to protect the genetic material from degradation and facilitate its delivery into plant cells [27]. Wang et al used several types of NPs (CS, PEI, protamine, CQD, PAMAM, and CSC) to deliver dsRNA against rice sheath blight (Rhizoctonia solani) in Oryza sativa L [28]. These nanoparticles Nanoparticles can also serve as vehicles for delivering genetic material, such as DNA, RNA, or small interfering RNA (siRNA), into plant cells [22,23].…”

“…Different applications, such as nutrient delivery, genetic material transfer, or pesticide transport, require specific nanoparticle types with suitable properties [25,28,31].…”

Recent Advances in Nanoparticle-Mediated Co-Delivery System: A Promising Strategy in Medical and Agricultural Field

“…Additionally, the types of NPs delivering RNA pesticides for plant disease management are relatively single. Wang et al used a variety of NPs to deliver RNA fungicide, and the delivery efficiency and protective effect of SPc were the best among them [ 5 ]. Table 2 presents selected applications of NPs-mediated RNAi in fungi and viruses.…”

“…Over the past decade, nanotechnology has been at the forefront of rapid advances in fields as diverse as medicine, electronics, aerospace, life science, and agriculture [ 1 , 2 ]. The application of nanomaterials can break through the bottleneck of many traditional crafts and provide strong technical supports for nano-delivery platform, thus becoming a research hotspot in the fields of medicine and modern agriculture [ 3 , 4 , 5 ]. Since the first research on the delivery of drugs by nanomaterials, there have been numerous reports of the application of nanomaterials to deliver active ingredients (AIs) [ 6 , 7 , 8 ].…”