Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi) is a common mechanism of posttranscriptional gene silencing that destroys mRNA of a particular gene to prevent translation to form an active gene product (most commonly a protein). The discovery of RNAi has not only provided a breakthrough in methodology for functional analysis of genes, but also opened a novel avenue for treating human diseases and protecting crops against insect pest damages. Space injection of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) is the most commonly used method for RNAi in entomological research. Recent studies, however, have demonstrated that specific suppression of gene expression in insects can also be accomplished by feeding and topical application of dsRNA in certain insect species. The specific gene silencing using RNAi with feeding and topical application methods holds great promises of application of RNAi for controlling both agriculturally and medically important insects. Indeed, transgenic plants expressing dsRNA of specific genes have already been demonstrated for plant resistance against insect pests. This paper reviews and discusses the current advances and prospects of RNAi technologies in insect pest management.
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