Abstract
Simple SummaryRNA interference (RNAi) is a powerful strategy to understand the function of novel and critical insect genes. In this review, we highlight the pros and cons of using RNAi as a functional genomics tool, the range of applications and explore RNAi delivery approaches such as topical and carrier/nano-particle-mediated RNAi for silencing insect genes in Hemiptera. We explore factors contributing to observed variations in RNAi efficiency and possible solutions to improve RNAi based investigations. We briefly summarise and provide experimental insight on the key RNAi studies in agricultural hemipteran pests that will be applicable to lesser-studied hemipteran’s, as well as informing functional genomics studies across diverse insect pests.RNA interference (RNAi) is a powerful approach for sequence-specific gene silencing, displaying tremendous potential for functional genomics studies in hemipteran insects. Exploiting RNAi allows the biological roles of critical genes to be defined and aids the development of RNAi-based biopesticides. In this review, we provide context to the rapidly expanding field of RNAi-based functional genomics studies in hemipteran insects. We highlight the most widely used RNAi delivery strategies, including microinjection, oral ingestion and topical application. Additionally, we discuss the key variables affecting RNAi efficacy in hemipteran insects, including insect life-stage, gene selection, the presence of nucleases, and the role of core RNAi machinery. In conclusion, we summarise the application of RNAi in functional genomics studies in Hemiptera, focusing on genes involved in reproduction, behaviour, metabolism, immunity and chemical resistance across 33 species belonging to 14 families.
Highlights
The Hemiptera are the fifth largest insect order comprising more than 90,000 species, with highly diverse life histories and feeding habits
“Hemiptera gene silencing”, “Hemiptera RNA interference”, “Hemiptera RNAi“ and “(scientific insects (Figure 2). These manuscripts demonstrate an increase of RNAi-based hemipteran functional name of insect) RNAi”, we identified more than 329 research publications focused on RNAi-based genomics studies over the previous 20 years, most likely due to advances in transcriptomic and functional genomics studies in hemipteran insects (Figure 2)
Over the past two decades, RNAi has emerged as a valuable tool for functional genomic studies targeting critical genes of hemipteran pests
Summary
The Hemiptera (aphids, psyllids, whiteflies, leafhoppers, planthoppers, cicadas, moss bugs, and stink bugs) are the fifth largest insect order comprising more than 90,000 species, with highly diverse life histories and feeding habits. Reverse genetic approaches comprise random mutagenesis (chemical and transposable element mutagenesis) mutagenesis) or targeted targeted mutagenesis mutagenesis of the the gene gene of of interest interest (homologous (homologous gene gene recombination recombination to to generate generate null null and and hypomorphic hypomorphic mutations) to generate mutants with an observable phenotype These these methods methods are are powerful powerful in in understanding understanding the the novel novel functions functions of of genes, genes, large-scale large-scale genetic screening via these approaches is challenging, time-consuming, and expensive [6]. A number of RNAi-based genomic studies exploring of individual gene families involved in complex biosynthetic pathways of insectsofhas exploded.
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