Abstract
In recent years, the research on the potential of using RNA interference (RNAi) to suppress crop pests has made an outstanding growth. However, given the variability of RNAi efficiency that is observed in many insects, the development of novel approaches toward insect pest management using RNAi requires first to unravel factors behind the efficiency of dsRNA-mediated gene silencing. In this review, we explore essential implications and possibilities to increase RNAi efficiency by delivery of dsRNA through non-transformative methods. We discuss factors influencing the RNAi mechanism in insects and systemic properties of dsRNA. Finally, novel strategies to deliver dsRNA are discussed, including delivery by symbionts, plant viruses, trunk injections, root soaking, and transplastomic plants.
Highlights
Over two and a half decades ago, the silencing ability of antisense RNA was first described in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans (Fire et al, 1991)
As recently reviewed (Andrade and Hunter, 2016), double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) longer than 200 nucleotides after dicer cleavage results in many small interfering RNA (siRNA), which contributes to the RNA interference (RNAi) response as well as prevents the resistance due to the polymorphism variation encoded by nucleotide sequence
RNAi technology has been an effective tool in functional genomics studies and its application toward pest management is already close to a reality (Kupferschmidt, 2013; Palli, 2014; Saurabh et al, 2014; Nandety et al, 2015; Sherman et al, 2015; Zotti and Smagghe, 2015; Andrade and Hunter, 2016)
Summary
Over two and a half decades ago, the silencing ability of antisense RNA was first described in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans (Fire et al, 1991). The phenomenon of RNA interference (RNAi) as a method for gene silencing has allowed unique advancements in the understanding of gene function in many organisms and accelerated the use of reverse genetics to new levels The application of this technology did not go unnoticed in agriculture, where since crop protectors have been seeking for its practical application in insect management (Gordon and Waterhouse, 2007; Price and Gatehouse, 2008; Zotti and Smagghe, 2015). Upon entry into the cell, the exogenous dsRNA is processed by a ribonuclease III enzyme, called Dicer-2, into small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) These 21– 24 nucleotide duplexes are subsequently incorporated in the socalled RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) where the duplex is unwound. By this degradation of the target mRNA, specific post-transcriptional gene silencing occurs (Agrawal et al, 2003; Pecot et al, 2011; Figure 1 Right panel)
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