RNAi Targets in Agricultural Pest Insects: Advancements, Knowledge Gaps, and IPM

Jonathan Willow; Clauvis Nji Tizi Taning; Samantha M. Cook; Silva Sulg; Ana I. Silva; Guy Smagghe; Eve Veromann

doi:10.3389/fagro.2021.794312

RNAi Targets in Agricultural Pest Insects: Advancements, Knowledge Gaps, and IPM

Jonathan Willow^*, Clauvis Nji Tizi Taning, Samantha M. Cook, Silva Sulg, Ana I. Silva, Guy Smagghe, Eve Veromann

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › (Systematic) Review article › peer-review

Abstract

The unprecedented target-specificity of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), due to its sequence-specific mode of action, puts dsRNA at the forefront of biosafe insecticide technology. Since 2007, sensitive target genes have been identified in numerous crop pest insects, with an end goal of applying RNA interference (RNAi) in pest management. Key RNAi targets identified include genes involved in (1) feeding and digestion, (2) production of dsRNases, (3) resistance to insecticides and plant allelochemicals, (4) reproductive fitness, and (5) transmission of plant viruses. Despite the advances, there remain critical knowledge gaps in each of these areas. Particular emphasis must be placed on ensuring RNAi's compatibility with integrated pest management (IPM), via further identification of molecular targets that reduce crop damage while sustaining pest (host) populations for highly specialized biocontrol agents, the latter representing a core pillar of IPM.

Original language	English
Article number	794312
Number of pages	7
Journal	Frontiers in Agronomy
Volume	3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.3389/fagro.2021.794312
Publication status	Published - 10 Dec 2021

Keywords

RNA interference
molecular targets
integrated pest management
crop protection
agronomy
gene silencing
biopesticide
insecticide
NUCLEASE ACTIVITY
DESERT LOCUST
GENE
EFFICIENCY
KNOCKDOWN
DECREASES
BEETLE
APHID
GUT

Access to Document

10.3389/fagro.2021.794312Licence: CC BY

Cite this

@article{ee13227c2b98446ca2881465568309e3,

title = "RNAi Targets in Agricultural Pest Insects: Advancements, Knowledge Gaps, and IPM",

abstract = "The unprecedented target-specificity of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), due to its sequence-specific mode of action, puts dsRNA at the forefront of biosafe insecticide technology. Since 2007, sensitive target genes have been identified in numerous crop pest insects, with an end goal of applying RNA interference (RNAi) in pest management. Key RNAi targets identified include genes involved in (1) feeding and digestion, (2) production of dsRNases, (3) resistance to insecticides and plant allelochemicals, (4) reproductive fitness, and (5) transmission of plant viruses. Despite the advances, there remain critical knowledge gaps in each of these areas. Particular emphasis must be placed on ensuring RNAi's compatibility with integrated pest management (IPM), via further identification of molecular targets that reduce crop damage while sustaining pest (host) populations for highly specialized biocontrol agents, the latter representing a core pillar of IPM.",

keywords = "RNA interference, molecular targets, integrated pest management, crop protection, agronomy, gene silencing, biopesticide, insecticide, NUCLEASE ACTIVITY, DESERT LOCUST, GENE, EFFICIENCY, KNOCKDOWN, DECREASES, BEETLE, APHID, GUT",

author = "Jonathan Willow and Taning, {Clauvis Nji Tizi} and Cook, {Samantha M.} and Silva Sulg and Silva, {Ana I.} and Guy Smagghe and Eve Veromann",

year = "2021",

month = dec,

day = "10",

doi = "10.3389/fagro.2021.794312",

language = "English",

volume = "3",

journal = "Frontiers in Agronomy",

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TY - JOUR

T1 - RNAi Targets in Agricultural Pest Insects

T2 - Advancements, Knowledge Gaps, and IPM

AU - Willow, Jonathan

AU - Taning, Clauvis Nji Tizi

AU - Cook, Samantha M.

AU - Sulg, Silva

AU - Silva, Ana I.

AU - Smagghe, Guy

AU - Veromann, Eve

PY - 2021/12/10

Y1 - 2021/12/10

N2 - The unprecedented target-specificity of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), due to its sequence-specific mode of action, puts dsRNA at the forefront of biosafe insecticide technology. Since 2007, sensitive target genes have been identified in numerous crop pest insects, with an end goal of applying RNA interference (RNAi) in pest management. Key RNAi targets identified include genes involved in (1) feeding and digestion, (2) production of dsRNases, (3) resistance to insecticides and plant allelochemicals, (4) reproductive fitness, and (5) transmission of plant viruses. Despite the advances, there remain critical knowledge gaps in each of these areas. Particular emphasis must be placed on ensuring RNAi's compatibility with integrated pest management (IPM), via further identification of molecular targets that reduce crop damage while sustaining pest (host) populations for highly specialized biocontrol agents, the latter representing a core pillar of IPM.

AB - The unprecedented target-specificity of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), due to its sequence-specific mode of action, puts dsRNA at the forefront of biosafe insecticide technology. Since 2007, sensitive target genes have been identified in numerous crop pest insects, with an end goal of applying RNA interference (RNAi) in pest management. Key RNAi targets identified include genes involved in (1) feeding and digestion, (2) production of dsRNases, (3) resistance to insecticides and plant allelochemicals, (4) reproductive fitness, and (5) transmission of plant viruses. Despite the advances, there remain critical knowledge gaps in each of these areas. Particular emphasis must be placed on ensuring RNAi's compatibility with integrated pest management (IPM), via further identification of molecular targets that reduce crop damage while sustaining pest (host) populations for highly specialized biocontrol agents, the latter representing a core pillar of IPM.

KW - RNA interference

KW - molecular targets

KW - integrated pest management

KW - crop protection

KW - agronomy

KW - gene silencing

KW - biopesticide

KW - insecticide

KW - NUCLEASE ACTIVITY

KW - DESERT LOCUST

KW - GENE

KW - EFFICIENCY

KW - KNOCKDOWN

KW - DECREASES

KW - BEETLE

KW - APHID

KW - GUT

U2 - 10.3389/fagro.2021.794312

DO - 10.3389/fagro.2021.794312

M3 - (Systematic) Review article

SN - 2673-3218

VL - 3

JO - Frontiers in Agronomy

JF - Frontiers in Agronomy

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