RNA interference in insects: the link between antiviral defense and pest control

Both viral infection and insecticidal dsRNA trigger the same RNAi machinery, which determines the efficacy of RNAi in insects. RNAi-based biological control not only avoids off-target effects in beneficial organisms, but also achieves synergy between RNAi and other biological control agents. AbstractRNA interference (RNAi) is a form of gene silencing triggered by double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) that operates in all eukaryotic cells. RNAi has been widely investigated in insects to determine the underlying molecular mechanism, to investigate its role in systemic antiviral defense, and to develop strategies for pest control. When insect cells are infected by viruses, viral dsRNA signatures trigger a local RNAi response to block viral replication and generate virus-derived DNA that confers systemic immunity. RNAi-based insect pest control involves the application of exogenous dsRNA targeting genes essential for insect development or survival, but the efficacy of this approach has limited potency in many pests through a combination of rapid dsRNA degradation, inefficient dsRNA uptake/processing, and ineffective RNAi machinery. This could be addressed by dsRNA screening and evaluation, focusing on dsRNA design and off-target management, as well as dsRNA production and delivery. This review summarizes recent progress to determine the role of RNAi in antiviral defense and as a pest control strategy in insects, addressing gaps between our fundamental understanding of the RNAi mechanism an...
Source: Insect Science - Category: Biology Authors: Tags: REVIEW Source Type: research