Mechanisms of dsRNA uptake in insects and potential of RNAi for pest control: A review

RNA interference already proved its usefulness in functional genomic research on insects, but it also has considerable potential for the control of pest insects. For this purpose, the insect should be able to autonomously take up the dsRNA, for example through feeding and digestion in its midgut. In...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of insect physiology 2010-03, Vol.56 (3), p.227-235
Main Authors: Huvenne, Hanneke, Smagghe, Guy
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
biochemical pathways
Caenorhabditis
Caenorhabditis elegans - genetics
Caenorhabditis elegans - physiology
cell membranes
Digestion
double-stranded RNA
dsRNA uptake mechanism
endocytosis
Environmental RNAi
Feeding assay
feeding behavior
insect control
Insect Control - methods
insect pests
Insect Proteins - genetics
Insect Proteins - metabolism
Insecta - genetics
Insecta - physiology
intestinal absorption
literature reviews
midgut
Pest control
Plants, Genetically Modified - genetics
Plants, Genetically Modified - parasitology
Plants, Genetically Modified - physiology
RNA Interference
RNA, Double-Stranded - genetics
RNA, Double-Stranded - metabolism
Systemic RNAi
transgenic plants
uptake mechanisms
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Summary:RNA interference already proved its usefulness in functional genomic research on insects, but it also has considerable potential for the control of pest insects. For this purpose, the insect should be able to autonomously take up the dsRNA, for example through feeding and digestion in its midgut. In this review we bring together current knowledge on the uptake mechanisms of dsRNA in insects and the potential of RNAi to affect pest insects. At least two pathways for dsRNA uptake in insects are described: the transmembrane channel-mediated uptake mechanism based on Caenorhabditis elegans’ SID-1 protein and an ‘alternative’ endocytosis-mediated uptake mechanism. In the second part of the review dsRNA feeding experiments on insects are brought together for the first time, highlighting the achievement of implementing RNAi in insect control with the first successful experiments in transgenic plants and the diversity of successfully tested insect orders/species and target genes. We conclude with points of discussion and concerns regarding further research on dsRNA uptake mechanisms and the promising application possibilities for RNAi in insect control.
ISSN:0022-1910
1879-1611
DOI:10.1016/j.jinsphys.2009.10.004