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Wang Y, Li X, Zhu C, Yi S, Zhang Y, Hong Z. Plant-derived artificial miRNA effectively reduced the proliferation of aphid (Aphidoidea) through spray-induced gene silencing. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2024. [PMID: 38647144 DOI: 10.1002/ps.8138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae) are notorious sap-sucking insects that rampantly threaten agricultural production worldwide. Current management against aphids in the field heavily relies on chemical pesticides, which makes economical and eco-friendly methods urgently needed. Spray-induced gene silencing (SIGS) offers a powerful and precise approach to pest management. However, the high costs and instability of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) regulators applied for downstream RNA interference (RNAi) still limit this strategy. It remains uncertain if RNAi regulators applied in SIGS could extend to small RNA (sRNA), especially miRNA. RESULTS We chose two sRNA sequences, miR-9b and miR-VgR, whose corresponding targets ABCG4 and VgR are both essential for aphid growth and development. The efficacy of these sequences was initially verified by chemically synthetic single-stranded RNA (syn-ssRNA). Through spray treatment, we observed a significantly decreased survival number and increased abnormality rate of green peach aphids fed on the host under laboratory conditions. Based on our previous study, we generated transgenic plants expressing artificial miR-9b (amiR-9b) and miR-VgR (amiR-VgR). Remarkably, plant-derived amiRNA exerted potent and long-lasting inhibitory efficacy with merely one percent concentration of chemical synthetics. Notably, the simultaneous application of amiR-9b and amiR-VgR exhibited superior inhibitory efficacy. CONCLUSION We explored the potential use of sRNA-based biopesticide through SIGS while investigating the dosage requirements. To optimize this strategy, the utilization of plant-derived amiRNA was proposed. The results suggested that attributed to stability and durability, deploying amiRNA in pest management is a potential and promising solution for the field application. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, NJU Advanced Institute for Life Sciences (NAILS), School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xuanlin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, NJU Advanced Institute for Life Sciences (NAILS), School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chenghong Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Sciences, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Organic Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC), Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Shijie Yi
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, NJU Advanced Institute for Life Sciences (NAILS), School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Sciences, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Organic Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC), Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhi Hong
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, NJU Advanced Institute for Life Sciences (NAILS), School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
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Muthu Lakshmi Bavithra C, Murugan M, Pavithran S, Naveena K. Enthralling genetic regulatory mechanisms meddling insecticide resistance development in insects: role of transcriptional and post-transcriptional events. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1257859. [PMID: 37745689 PMCID: PMC10511911 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1257859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Insecticide resistance in insects severely threatens both human health and agriculture, making insecticides less compelling and valuable, leading to frequent pest management failures, rising input costs, lowering crop yields, and disastrous public health. Insecticide resistance results from multiple factors, mainly indiscriminate insecticide usage and mounted selection pressure on insect populations. Insects respond to insecticide stress at the cellular level by modest yet significant genetic propagations. Transcriptional, co-transcriptional, and post-transcriptional regulatory signals of cells in organisms regulate the intricate processes in gene expressions churning the genetic information in transcriptional units into proteins and non-coding transcripts. Upregulation of detoxification enzymes, notably cytochrome P450s (CYPs), glutathione S-transferases (GSTs), esterases [carboxyl choline esterase (CCE), carboxyl esterase (CarE)] and ATP Binding Cassettes (ABC) at the transcriptional level, modification of target sites, decreased penetration, or higher excretion of insecticides are the noted insect physiological responses. The transcriptional regulatory pathways such as AhR/ARNT, Nuclear receptors, CncC/Keap1, MAPK/CREB, and GPCR/cAMP/PKA were found to regulate the detoxification genes at the transcriptional level. Post-transcriptional changes of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) such as microRNAs (miRNA), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNA), and epitranscriptomics, including RNA methylation, are reported in resistant insects. Additionally, genetic modifications such as mutations in the target sites and copy number variations (CNV) are also influencing insecticide resistance. Therefore, these cellular intricacies may decrease insecticide sensitivity, altering the concentrations or activities of proteins involved in insecticide interactions or detoxification. The cellular episodes at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels pertinent to insecticide resistance responses in insects are extensively covered in this review. An overview of molecular mechanisms underlying these biological rhythms allows for developing alternative pest control methods to focus on insect vulnerabilities, employing reverse genetics approaches like RNA interference (RNAi) technology to silence particular resistance-related genes for sustained insect management.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marimuthu Murugan
- Department of Agricultural Entomology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, India
| | | | - Kathirvel Naveena
- Centre for Plant Protection Studies, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, India
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Mann CWG, Sawyer A, Gardiner DM, Mitter N, Carroll BJ, Eamens AL. RNA-Based Control of Fungal Pathogens in Plants. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12391. [PMID: 37569766 PMCID: PMC10418863 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241512391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Our duty to conserve global natural ecosystems is increasingly in conflict with our need to feed an expanding population. The use of conventional pesticides not only damages the environment and vulnerable biodiversity but can also still fail to prevent crop losses of 20-40% due to pests and pathogens. There is a growing call for more ecologically sustainable pathogen control measures. RNA-based biopesticides offer an eco-friendly alternative to the use of conventional fungicides for crop protection. The genetic modification (GM) of crops remains controversial in many countries, though expression of transgenes inducing pathogen-specific RNA interference (RNAi) has been proven effective against many agronomically important fungal pathogens. The topical application of pathogen-specific RNAi-inducing sprays is a more responsive, GM-free approach to conventional RNAi transgene-based crop protection. The specific targeting of essential pathogen genes, the development of RNAi-nanoparticle carrier spray formulations, and the possible structural modifications to the RNA molecules themselves are crucial to the success of this novel technology. Here, we outline the current understanding of gene silencing pathways in plants and fungi and summarize the pioneering and recent work exploring RNA-based biopesticides for crop protection against fungal pathogens, with a focus on spray-induced gene silencing (SIGS). Further, we discuss factors that could affect the success of RNA-based control strategies, including RNA uptake, stability, amplification, and movement within and between the plant host and pathogen, as well as the cost and design of RNA pesticides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher W. G. Mann
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; (C.W.G.M.); (A.S.); (B.J.C.)
| | - Anne Sawyer
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; (C.W.G.M.); (A.S.); (B.J.C.)
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; (D.M.G.); (N.M.)
| | - Donald M. Gardiner
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; (D.M.G.); (N.M.)
| | - Neena Mitter
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; (D.M.G.); (N.M.)
| | - Bernard J. Carroll
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; (C.W.G.M.); (A.S.); (B.J.C.)
| | - Andrew L. Eamens
- School of Health, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, QLD 4558, Australia
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Saakre M, Jaiswal S, Rathinam M, Raman KV, Tilgam J, Paul K, Sreevathsa R, Pattanayak D. Host-Delivered RNA Interference for Durable Pest Resistance in Plants: Advanced Methods, Challenges, and Applications. Mol Biotechnol 2023:10.1007/s12033-023-00833-9. [PMID: 37523020 DOI: 10.1007/s12033-023-00833-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2022] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
Insect-pests infestation greatly affects global agricultural production and is projected to become more severe in upcoming years. There is concern about pesticide application being ineffective due to insect resistance and environmental toxicity. Reduced effectiveness of Bt toxins also made the scientific community shift toward alternative strategies to control devastating agricultural pests. With the advent of host-delivered RNA interference, also known as host-induced gene silencing, targeted insect genes have been suppressed through genetic engineering tools to deliver a novel insect-pest resistance strategy for combating a number of agricultural pests. This review recapitulates the possible mechanism of host-delivered RNA interference (HD-RNAi), in particular, the silencing of target genes of insect-pests. We emphasize the development of the latest strategies against evolving insect targets including designing of artificial microRNAs, vector constructs, and the benefit of using plastid transformation to transform target RNA-interfering genes. Advantages of using HD-RNAi over other small RNA delivery modes and also the supremacy of HD-RNAi over the CRISPR-Cas system particularly for insect resistance have been described. However, the broader application of this technology is restricted due to its several limitations. Using artificial miRNA designs, the host-delivered RNAi + Bt combinatorial approach and chloroplast transformation can overcome limitations of RNAi. With careful design and delivery approaches, RNAi promises to be extremely valuable and effective plant protection strategy to attain durable insect-pest resistance in crops. Development of transgenic plant using novel strategies to achieve durable resistance against the target insect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manjesh Saakre
- Division of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, ICAR-National Institute for Plant Biotechnology, IARI Pusa Campus, New Delhi, 110012, India
| | - Sandeep Jaiswal
- Division of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, ICAR-National Institute for Plant Biotechnology, IARI Pusa Campus, New Delhi, 110012, India
- ICAR-Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, Meghalaya- 793103, India
| | - Maniraj Rathinam
- ICAR-National Institute for Plant Biotechnology, IARI Pusa Campus, New Delhi, 110012, India
| | - K Venkat Raman
- ICAR-National Institute for Plant Biotechnology, IARI Pusa Campus, New Delhi, 110012, India
| | - Jyotsana Tilgam
- Division of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, ICAR-National Institute for Plant Biotechnology, IARI Pusa Campus, New Delhi, 110012, India
| | - Krishnayan Paul
- Division of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, ICAR-National Institute for Plant Biotechnology, IARI Pusa Campus, New Delhi, 110012, India
| | - Rohini Sreevathsa
- ICAR-National Institute for Plant Biotechnology, IARI Pusa Campus, New Delhi, 110012, India
| | - Debasis Pattanayak
- ICAR-National Institute for Plant Biotechnology, IARI Pusa Campus, New Delhi, 110012, India.
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Cajanus platycarpus Flavonoid 3'5' Hydroxylase_2 ( CpF3'5'H_2) Confers Resistance to Helicoverpa armigera by Modulating Total Polyphenols and Flavonoids in Transgenic Tobacco. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24021755. [PMID: 36675270 PMCID: PMC9862005 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Pod borer Helicoverpa armigera, a polyphagus herbivorous pest, tremendously incurs crop damage in economically important crops. This necessitates the identification and utility of novel genes for the control of the herbivore. The present study deals with the characterization of a flavonoid 3'5' hydroxylase_2 (F3'5'H_2) from a pigeonpea wild relative Cajanus platycarpus, possessing a robust chemical resistance response to H. armigera. Though F3'5'H_2 displayed a dynamic expression pattern in both C. platycarpus (Cp) and the cultivated pigeonpea, Cajanus cajan (Cc) during continued herbivory, CpF3'5'H_2 showed a 4.6-fold increase vis a vis 3-fold in CcF3'5'H_2. Despite similar gene copy numbers in the two Cajanus spp., interesting genic and promoter sequence changes highlighted the stress responsiveness of CpF3'5'H_2. The relevance of CpF3'5'H_2 in H. armigera resistance was further validated in CpF3'5'H_2-overexpressed transgenic tobacco based on reduced leaf damage and increased larval mortality through an in vitro bioassay. As exciting maiden clues, CpF3'5'H_2 deterred herbivory in transgenic tobacco by increasing total flavonoids, polyphenols and reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging capacity. To the best of our knowledge, this is a maiden attempt ascertaining the role of F3'5'H_2 gene in the management of H. armigera. These interesting leads suggest the potential of this pivotal branch-point gene in biotic stress management programs.
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Li X, Liu X, Lu W, Yin X, An S. Application progress of plant-mediated RNAi in pest control. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:963026. [PMID: 36003536 PMCID: PMC9393288 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.963026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi)-based biopesticides are novel biologic products, developed using RNAi principles. They are engineered to target genes of agricultural diseases, insects, and weeds, interfering with their target gene expression so as to hinder their growth and alleviate their damaging effects on crops. RNAi-based biopesticides are broadly classified into resistant plant-based plant-incorporated protectants (PIPs) and non-plant-incorporated protectants. PIP RNAi-based biopesticides are novel biopesticides that combine the advantages of RNAi and resistant transgenic crops. Such RNAi-based biopesticides are developed through nuclear or plastid transformation to breed resistant plants, i.e., dsRNA-expressing transgenic plants. The dsRNA of target genes is expressed in the plant cell, with pest and disease control being achieved through plant-target organism interactions. Here, we review the action mechanism and strategies of RNAi for pest management, the development of RNAi-based transgenic plant, and the current status and advantages of deploying these products for pest control, as well as the future research directions and problems in production and commercialization. Overall, this study aims to elucidate the current development status of RNAi-based biopesticides and provide guidelines for future research.
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Yan Y, Ham BK. The Mobile Small RNAs: Important Messengers for Long-Distance Communication in Plants. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:928729. [PMID: 35783973 PMCID: PMC9247610 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.928729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Various species of small RNAs (sRNAs), notably microRNAs and small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), have been characterized as the major effectors of RNA interference in plants. Growing evidence supports a model in which sRNAs move, intercellularly, systemically, and between cross-species. These non-coding sRNAs can traffic cell-to-cell through plasmodesmata (PD), in a symplasmic manner, as well as from source to sink tissues, via the phloem, to trigger gene silencing in their target cells. Such mobile sRNAs function in non-cell-autonomous communication pathways, to regulate various biological processes, such as plant development, reproduction, and plant defense. In this review, we summarize recent progress supporting the roles of mobile sRNA in plants, and discuss mechanisms of sRNA transport, signal amplification, and the plant's response, in terms of RNAi activity, within the recipient tissues. We also discuss potential research directions and their likely impact on engineering of crops with traits for achieving food security.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Yan
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Byung-Kook Ham
- Global Institute for Food Security, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
- Department of Biology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
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8
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Fu J, Xu S, Lu H, Li F, Li S, Chang L, Heckel DG, Bock R, Zhang J. Resistance to RNA interference by plant-derived double-stranded RNAs but not plant-derived short interfering RNAs in Helicoverpa armigera. PLANT, CELL & ENVIRONMENT 2022; 45:1930-1941. [PMID: 35312082 DOI: 10.1111/pce.14314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Plant-mediated RNA interference (RNAi) has emerged as a promising technology for pest control through expression of double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) targeted against essential insect genes. However, little is known about the underlying molecular mechanisms and whether long dsRNA or short interfering RNAs (siRNAs) are the effective triggers of the RNAi response. Here we generated transplastomic and nuclear transgenic tobacco plants expressing dsRNA against the Helicoverpa armigera ATPaseH gene. We showed that expression of long dsRNA of HaATPaseH was at least three orders of magnitude higher in transplastomic plants than in transgenic plants. HaATPaseH-derived siRNAs are absent from transplastomic plants, while they are abundant in transgenic plants. Feeding transgenic plants to H. armigera larvae reduced gene expression of HaATPaseH and delayed growth. Surprisingly, no effect of transplastomic plants on insect growth was observed, despite efficient dsRNA expression in plastids. Furthermore, we found that dsRNA ingested by H. armigera feeding on transplastomic plants was rapidly degraded in the intestinal fluid. In contrast, siRNAs are relatively stable in the digestive system. These results suggest that plant-derived siRNAs may be more effective triggers of RNAi in Lepidoptera than dsRNAs, which will aid the optimization of the strategies for plant-mediated RNAi to pest control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinqiu Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, China
| | - Shijing Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, China
| | - Huan Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, China
| | - Fanchi Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, China
| | - Shengchun Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, China
| | - Ling Chang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, China
| | - David G Heckel
- Department of Entomology, Max-Planck-Institut für Chemische Ökologie, Jena, Germany
| | - Ralph Bock
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, China
- Department III, Max-Planck-Institut für Molekulare Pflanzenphysiologie, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Jiang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, China
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Rabuma T, Gupta OP, Chhokar V. Recent advances and potential applications of cross-kingdom movement of miRNAs in modulating plant's disease response. RNA Biol 2022; 19:519-532. [PMID: 35442163 PMCID: PMC9037536 DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2022.2062172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In the recent past, cross-kingdom movement of miRNAs, small (20–25 bases), and endogenous regulatory RNA molecules has emerged as one of the major research areas to understand the potential implications in modulating the plant’s biotic stress response. The current review discussed the recent developments in the mechanism of cross-kingdom movement (long and short distance) and critical cross-talk between host’s miRNAs in regulating gene function in bacteria, fungi, viruses, insects, and nematodes, and vice-versa during host-pathogen interaction and their potential implications in crop protection. Moreover, cross-kingdom movement during symbiotic interaction, the emerging role of plant’s miRNAs in modulating animal’s gene function, and feasibility of spray-induced gene silencing (SIGS) in combating biotic stresses in plants are also critically evaluated. The current review article analysed the horizontal transfer of miRNAs among plants, animals, and microbes that regulates gene expression in the host or pathogenic organisms, contributing to crop protection. Further, it highlighted the challenges and opportunities to harness the full potential of this emerging approach to mitigate biotic stress efficiently.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tilahun Rabuma
- Department of Bio and Nano Technology, Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology, Hisar, INDIA.,Department of Biotechnology, College of Natural and Computational Science, Wolkite University, Wolkite, Ethiopia
| | - Om Prakash Gupta
- Division of Quality and Basic Sciences, ICAR-Indian Institute of Wheat and Barley Research, Karnal, INDIA
| | - Vinod Chhokar
- Department of Bio and Nano Technology, Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology, Hisar, INDIA
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Muema JM, Bargul JL, Mutunga JM, Obonyo MA, Asudi GO, Njeru SN. Neurotoxic Zanthoxylum chalybeum root constituents invoke mosquito larval growth retardation through ecdysteroidogenic CYP450s transcriptional perturbations. PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2021; 178:104912. [PMID: 34446188 DOI: 10.1016/j.pestbp.2021.104912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Revised: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/27/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Intracellular effects exerted by phytochemicals eliciting insect growth-retarding responses during vector control intervention remain largely underexplored. We studied the effects of Zanthoxylum chalybeum Engl. (Rutaceae) (ZCE) root derivatives against malaria (Anopheles gambiae) and arbovirus vector (Aedes aegypti) larvae to decipher possible molecular targets. We report dose-dependent biphasic effects on larval response, with transient exposure to ZCE and its bioactive fraction (ZCFr.5) inhibiting acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, inducing larval lethality and growth retardation at sublethal doses. Half-maximal lethal concentrations (LC50) for ZCE against An. gambiae and Ae. aegypti larvae after 24-h exposure were 9.00 ppm and 12.26 ppm, respectively. The active fraction ZCFr.5 exerted LC50 of 1.58 ppm and 3.21 ppm for An. gambiae and Ae. aegypti larvae, respectively. Inhibition of AChE was potentially linked to larval toxicity afforded by 2-tridecanone, palmitic acid (hexadecanoic acid), linoleic acid ((Z,Z)-9,12-octadecadienoic acid), sesamin, β-caryophyllene among other compounds identified in the bioactive fraction. In addition, the phenotypic larval retardation induced by ZCE root constituents was exerted through transcriptional modulation of ecdysteroidogenic CYP450 genes. Collectively, these findings provide an explorative avenue for developing potential mosquito control agents from Z. chalybeum root constituents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jackson M Muema
- Department of Biochemistry, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture & Technology (JKUAT), Nairobi, Kenya; Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics Unit, International Centre of Insect Physiology & Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya; Department of Entomology, U.S Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa, Kenya (USAMRD-A/K), Kisumu, Kenya.
| | - Joel L Bargul
- Department of Biochemistry, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture & Technology (JKUAT), Nairobi, Kenya; Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics Unit, International Centre of Insect Physiology & Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - James M Mutunga
- Department of Entomology, U.S Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa, Kenya (USAMRD-A/K), Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Meshack A Obonyo
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Egerton University, Egerton, Kenya
| | - George O Asudi
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology & Biotechnology, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Sospeter N Njeru
- Centre for Traditional Medicine and Drug Research (CTMDR), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Nairobi, Kenya.
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Zhang Q, Dou W, Taning CNT, Smagghe G, Wang JJ. Regulatory roles of microRNAs in insect pests: prospective targets for insect pest control. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2021; 70:158-166. [PMID: 34090114 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2021.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Revised: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
At the post-transcriptional level, microRNAs (miRNAs) play an important role in the regulation of gene expression, thereby influencing the outcome of many biological processes in insects, such as development, reproduction, metamorphosis, immunity, and insecticide resistance. The alteration of miRNA expression by mimic/agomir or inhibitor/antagomir via injection/feeding can lead to pest developmental abnormalities, death, or reduced pesticide resistance, indicating that miRNAs are potential targets for pest control. This review provides an overview of recent advances in understanding the regulatory roles of miRNA in agricultural and public health insect pest, and further highlights the potential of miRNAs as prospective targets in pest control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; International China-Belgium Joint Laboratory on Sustainable Crop Pest Control between Southwest University in China and Ghent University in Belgium, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Wei Dou
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; International China-Belgium Joint Laboratory on Sustainable Crop Pest Control between Southwest University in China and Ghent University in Belgium, Chongqing 400715, China
| | | | - Guy Smagghe
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; International China-Belgium Joint Laboratory on Sustainable Crop Pest Control between Southwest University in China and Ghent University in Belgium, Chongqing 400715, China; Department of Plants and Crops, Ghent University, Ghent 9000, Belgium.
| | - Jin-Jun Wang
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; International China-Belgium Joint Laboratory on Sustainable Crop Pest Control between Southwest University in China and Ghent University in Belgium, Chongqing 400715, China.
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Yusuf NHM, Latip MA, Kumar VS. Artificial microRNA derived from the precursors of Ananas comosus, Arabidopsis thaliana, and Oryza sativa effectively silences endogenous genes in MD2 pineapple. PLANT GENE 2021; 26:100289. [DOI: 10.1016/j.plgene.2021.100289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
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Flynt AS. Insecticidal RNA interference, thinking beyond long dsRNA. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2021; 77:2179-2187. [PMID: 33078549 PMCID: PMC8048086 DOI: 10.1002/ps.6147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Revised: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Over 20 years ago double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) was described as the trigger of RNAi interference (RNAi)-based gene silencing. This paradigm has held since, especially for insect biopesticide technologies where dsRNAs, similar to those described in 1998, are used to inhibit gene expression. In the intervening years, investigation of RNAi pathways has revealed the small RNA effectors of RNAi are diverse and rapidly evolving. The rich biology of insect small RNAs suggests potential to use multiple RNAi modes for manipulating gene expression. By exploiting different RNAi pathways, the menu of options for pest control can be expanded and could lead to better tailored solutions. Fortunately, basic delivery strategies used for dsRNA such as direct application or transgenic expression will translate well between RNAs transiting different RNAi pathways. Importantly, further engineering of RNAi-based biopesticides may provide an opportunity to address dsRNA insensitivity seen in some pests. Characterization of RNAi pathways unique to target species will be indispensable to this end and may require thinking beyond long dsRNA. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex S Flynt
- Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, USA
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14
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Rathinam M, Marimuthu SK, Tyagi S, Kesiraju K, Alagiamanavalan LP, Rao U, Sreevathsa R. Characterization and in planta validation of a CHI4 chitinase from Cajanus platycarpus (Benth.) Maesen for its efficacy against pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner). PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2021; 77:2337-2349. [PMID: 33421295 DOI: 10.1002/ps.6260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Revised: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 01/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pigeonpea, Cajanus cajan is one of the economically important legume food crops and a major source of dietary proteins. Management of pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera has been prominent among crop improvement programs. Lack of resistance sources in the cultivated germplasm and crossing incompatibility with pod borer-resistant wild relatives have prompted biotechnological interventions. Identification and exploitation of genes from pigeonpea wild relatives in host plant resistance towards the pod borer assumes pertinence. Dynamic transcriptome analysis of the wild relative vis a vis cultivated pigeonpea identified a CHI4 chitinase as one of the putative insect resistance genes. RESULTS The study presents variations in important amino acids in CHI4 chitinases from C. cajan and its wild relative C. platycarpus. Comparative protein modeling and docking analysis of the two proteins demonstrated differences in substrate binding efficacy of the chitinase from C. platycarpus which resulted in a minimum binding energy of -8.7 kcal mol-1 . Furthermore, we successfully evaluated the insecticidal activity of the chitinase from C. platycarpus against H. armigera challenge through heterologous expression in tobacco. Molecular characterization of transgenic plants confirmed that their efficacy against H. armigera was a result of the integration of CHI4 from C. platycarpus. CONCLUSION Docking analysis demonstrated effective substrate interaction as a possible reason for efficacy against pod borer in the chitinase from C. platycarpus. This was authenticated by successful overexpression and bioefficacy assessment against H. armigera in tobacco. The CHI4 gene from C. platycarpus can be useful in the mitigation of H. armegira in pigeonpea as well as in other crops. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maniraj Rathinam
- ICAR-National Institute for Plant Biotechnology, New Delhi, India
- Department of Botany, School of Life Sciences, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, India
| | - Sathish Kumar Marimuthu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, University College of Engineering, Anna University-BIT Campus, Tiruchirappalli, India
| | - Shaily Tyagi
- ICAR-National Institute for Plant Biotechnology, New Delhi, India
| | - Karthik Kesiraju
- ICAR-National Institute for Plant Biotechnology, New Delhi, India
| | | | - Uma Rao
- Division of Nematology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India
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15
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Chung SH, Feng H, Jander G. Engineering pest tolerance through plant-mediated RNA interference. CURRENT OPINION IN PLANT BIOLOGY 2021; 60:102029. [PMID: 33639339 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbi.2021.102029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Revised: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2021] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Expression of insect-targeted RNA interference (RNAi) constructs in transgenic plants is a promising approach for agricultural pest control. Compared to conventional chemical insecticides, RNAi target specificity is high and the potential for negative environmental effects is low. However, although numerous laboratory studies show insect growth inhibition by double stranded RNA or artificial microRNA, few of these constructs have been moved into commercial application as genetically engineered plants. Variation in RNA degradation, uptake, processing, and systemic transport in insects can influence interspecific and intraspecific differences in RNAi efficacy and the development of resistance to RNAi in agricultural settings. Further research is needed, both to identify optimal gene targets for efficient RNAi in pest species and to reduce the potential for off-target effects in beneficial species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seung Ho Chung
- Boyce Thompson Institute, 533 Tower Road, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Honglin Feng
- Boyce Thompson Institute, 533 Tower Road, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Georg Jander
- Boyce Thompson Institute, 533 Tower Road, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
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16
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Santos D, Remans S, Van den Brande S, Vanden Broeck J. RNAs on the Go: Extracellular Transfer in Insects with Promising Prospects for Pest Management. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 10:484. [PMID: 33806650 PMCID: PMC8001424 DOI: 10.3390/plants10030484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Revised: 02/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
RNA-mediated pathways form an important regulatory layer of myriad biological processes. In the last decade, the potential of RNA molecules to contribute to the control of agricultural pests has not been disregarded, specifically via the RNA interference (RNAi) mechanism. In fact, several proofs-of-concept have been made in this scope. Furthermore, a novel research field regarding extracellular RNAs and RNA-based intercellular/interorganismal communication is booming. In this article, we review key discoveries concerning extracellular RNAs in insects, insect RNA-based cell-to-cell communication, and plant-insect transfer of RNA. In addition, we overview the molecular mechanisms implicated in this form of communication and discuss future biotechnological prospects, namely from the insect pest-control perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dulce Santos
- Research Group of Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction, Division of Animal Physiology and Neurobiology, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (S.R.); (S.V.d.B.); (J.V.B.)
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17
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Arraes FBM, Martins-de-Sa D, Noriega Vasquez DD, Melo BP, Faheem M, de Macedo LLP, Morgante CV, Barbosa JARG, Togawa RC, Moreira VJV, Danchin EGJ, Grossi-de-Sa MF. Dissecting protein domain variability in the core RNA interference machinery of five insect orders. RNA Biol 2020; 18:1653-1681. [PMID: 33302789 DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2020.1861816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated gene silencing can be used to control specific insect pest populations. Unfortunately, the variable efficiency in the knockdown levels of target genes has narrowed the applicability of this technology to a few species. Here, we examine the current state of knowledge regarding the miRNA (micro RNA) and siRNA (small interfering RNA) pathways in insects and investigate the structural variability at key protein domains of the RNAi machinery. Our goal was to correlate domain variability with mechanisms affecting the gene silencing efficiency. To this end, the protein domains of 168 insect species, encompassing the orders Coleoptera, Diptera, Hemiptera, Hymenoptera, and Lepidoptera, were analysed using our pipeline, which takes advantage of meticulous structure-based sequence alignments. We used phylogenetic inference and the evolutionary rate coefficient (K) to outline the variability across domain regions and surfaces. Our results show that four domains, namely dsrm, Helicase, PAZ and Ribonuclease III, are the main contributors of protein variability in the RNAi machinery across different insect orders. We discuss the potential roles of these domains in regulating RNAi-mediated gene silencing and the role of loop regions in fine-tuning RNAi efficiency. Additionally, we identified several order-specific singularities which indicate that lepidopterans have evolved differently from other insect orders, possibly due to constant coevolution with plants and viruses. In conclusion, our results highlight several variability hotspots that deserve further investigation in order to improve the application of RNAi technology in the control of insect pests.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Diogo Martins-de-Sa
- Departamento De Biologia Celular, Universidade De Brasília, Brasília-DF, Brazil
| | - Daniel D Noriega Vasquez
- Plant-Pest Molecular Interaction Laboratory (LIMPP), Brasilia, Brasília-DF, Brazil.,Catholic University of Brasília, Brasília-DF, Brazil
| | - Bruno Paes Melo
- Plant-Pest Molecular Interaction Laboratory (LIMPP), Brasilia, Brasília-DF, Brazil.,Viçosa University, UFV, Viçosa-MG, Brazil
| | - Muhammad Faheem
- Plant-Pest Molecular Interaction Laboratory (LIMPP), Brasilia, Brasília-DF, Brazil.,Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Medical Sciences, Punjab, Pakistan
| | | | - Carolina Vianna Morgante
- Plant-Pest Molecular Interaction Laboratory (LIMPP), Brasilia, Brasília-DF, Brazil.,Embrapa Semiarid, Petrolina-PE, Brazil.,National Institute of Science and Technology, Jakarta Embrapa-Brazil
| | | | - Roberto Coiti Togawa
- Plant-Pest Molecular Interaction Laboratory (LIMPP), Brasilia, Brasília-DF, Brazil
| | - Valdeir Junio Vaz Moreira
- Biotechnology Center, Brazil.,Plant-Pest Molecular Interaction Laboratory (LIMPP), Brasilia, Brasília-DF, Brazil.,Departamento De Biologia Celular, Universidade De Brasília, Brasília-DF, Brazil
| | - Etienne G J Danchin
- National Institute of Science and Technology, Jakarta Embrapa-Brazil.,INRAE, Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, Institut Sophia Agrobiotech, Sophia-Antipolis, France
| | - Maria Fatima Grossi-de-Sa
- Plant-Pest Molecular Interaction Laboratory (LIMPP), Brasilia, Brasília-DF, Brazil.,Catholic University of Brasília, Brasília-DF, Brazil.,National Institute of Science and Technology, Jakarta Embrapa-Brazil
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18
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Developments and Prospects in Imperative Underexploited Vegetable Legumes Breeding: A Review. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21249615. [PMID: 33348635 PMCID: PMC7766301 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21249615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Revised: 11/15/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Vegetable legumes are an essential source of carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals, along with health-promoting bioactive chemicals. The demand for the use of either fresh or processed vegetable legumes is continually expanding on account of the growing consumer awareness about their well-balanced diet. Therefore, sustaining optimum yields of vegetable legumes is extremely important. Here we seek to present d etails of prospects of underexploited vegetable legumes for food availability, accessibility, and improved livelihood utilization. So far research attention was mainly focused on pulse legumes' performance as compared to vegetable legumes. Wild and cultivated vegetable legumes vary morphologically across diverse habitats. This could make them less known, underutilized, and underexploited, and make them a promising potential nutritional source in developing nations where malnutrition still exists. Research efforts are required to promote underexploited vegetable legumes, for improving their use to feed the ever-increasing population in the future. In view of all the above points, here we have discussed underexploited vegetable legumes with tremendous potential; namely, vegetable pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan), cluster bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba), winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus), dolichos bean (Lablab purpureus), and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), thereby covering the progress related to various aspects such as pre-breeding, molecular markers, quantitative trait locus (QTLs), genomics, and genetic engineering. Overall, this review has summarized the information related to advancements in the breeding of vegetable legumes which will ultimately help in ensuring food and nutritional security in developing nations.
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19
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Yogindran S, Rajam MV. Host-derived artificial miRNA-mediated silencing of ecdysone receptor gene provides enhanced resistance to Helicoverpa armigera in tomato. Genomics 2020; 113:736-747. [PMID: 33058987 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2020.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Revised: 08/12/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Helicoverpa armigera causes huge crop losses due to its polyphagous nature. The present study demonstrates the use of artificial microRNA (amiRNA) mediated gene silencing approach to generate insect resistant tomato plants. Ecdysone receptor (HaEcR) gene of the target pest, H. armigera, which is involved in the regulation of all developmental stages of the insect life cycle, was silenced by sequence-specific amiRNA (amiRNA-HaEcR). Continuous feeding on detached tomato leaves expressing the amiRNA-319a-HaEcR resulted in reduced target gene transcripts and affected the overall growth and survival of H. armigera. Not only the target gene was down-regulated but, the feeding also affected the expression of down-stream genes involved in the ecdysone signaling pathway. The resistant trait was also observed in T1 generation of tomato transgenic lines. These results further established the role of EcR as a master regulator in insect development and effectiveness of amiRNA technology for efficient control of H. armigera.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sneha Yogindran
- Department of Genetics, University of Delhi South Campus, Benito Juarez Marg, New Delhi 110021, India
| | - Manchikatla Venkat Rajam
- Department of Genetics, University of Delhi South Campus, Benito Juarez Marg, New Delhi 110021, India.
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20
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21
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Gualtieri C, Leonetti P, Macovei A. Plant miRNA Cross-Kingdom Transfer Targeting Parasitic and Mutualistic Organisms as a Tool to Advance Modern Agriculture. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2020; 11:930. [PMID: 32655608 PMCID: PMC7325723 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2020.00930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs), defined as small non-coding RNA molecules, are fine regulators of gene expression. In plants, miRNAs are well-known for regulating processes spanning from cell development to biotic and abiotic stress responses. Recently, miRNAs have been investigated for their potential transfer to distantly related organisms where they may exert regulatory functions in a cross-kingdom fashion. Cross-kingdom miRNA transfer has been observed in host-pathogen relations as well as symbiotic or mutualistic relations. All these can have important implications as plant miRNAs can be exploited to inhibit pathogen development or aid mutualistic relations. Similarly, miRNAs from eukaryotic organisms can be transferred to plants, thus suppressing host immunity. This two-way lane could have a significant impact on understanding inter-species relations and, more importantly, could leverage miRNA-based technologies for agricultural practices. Additionally, artificial miRNAs (amiRNAs) produced by engineered plants can be transferred to plant-feeding organisms in order to specifically regulate their cross-kingdom target genes. This minireview provides a brief overview of cross-kingdom plant miRNA transfer, focusing on parasitic and mutualistic relations that can have an impact on agricultural practices and discusses some opportunities related to miRNA-based technologies. Although promising, miRNA cross-kingdom transfer remains a debated argument. Several mechanistic aspects, such as the availability, transfer, and uptake of miRNAs, as well as their potential to alter gene expression in a cross-kingdom manner, remain to be addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Gualtieri
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology “L. Spallanzani”, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Paola Leonetti
- Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection, National Council of Research, Research Unit of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Anca Macovei
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology “L. Spallanzani”, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- *Correspondence: Anca Macovei,
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22
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Adeyinka OS, Tabassum B, Nasir IA, Yousaf I, Sajid IA, Shehzad K, Batcho A, Husnain T. Identification and validation of potential reference gene for effective dsRNA knockdown analysis in Chilo partellus. Sci Rep 2019; 9:13629. [PMID: 31541183 PMCID: PMC6754392 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-49810-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2018] [Accepted: 08/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Chilo partellus is an invasive polyphagous pest that has not been effectively managed with chemical pesticides. To select potential dsRNAs for use in an alternate control strategy, it is crucial to identify and evaluate stable reference genes for knockdown expression studies. This study evaluates the expression stability of seven candidate reference genes in C. partellus larvae fed on crude bacterially-expressed dsRNAs and purified dsRNAs at different time intervals, as well as the developmental stages and sexes. The expression stabilities of the reference genes were evaluated with different software programmes, such as BestKeeper, NormFinder, deltaCt, geNorm, and RefFinder. The overall results rank ELF as the most stably expressed reference gene when larvae were fed with crude bacteria-induced dsRNAs and purified dsRNA. However, Tubulin and HSP70 were more stable under different developmental stages and sexes. The expression levels of larvae that were fed crude bacteria-induced dsRNAs of Chitinase and Acetylcholinesterase were normalized with the four most stable reference genes (ELF, HSP70, V-ATPase and Tubulin) and the least stable reference gene (18S and HSP70) based on the geNorm algorithm. The least stable reference gene showed inconsistent knockdown expression, thereby confirming that the validation of a suitable reference gene is crucial to improve assay accuracy for dsRNA-targeted gene selection in C. partellus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olawale Samuel Adeyinka
- Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, 53700, Pakistan
| | - Bushra Tabassum
- Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, 53700, Pakistan.
| | - Idrees Ahmad Nasir
- Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, 53700, Pakistan
| | - Iqra Yousaf
- Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, 53700, Pakistan
| | - Imtiaz Ahmad Sajid
- Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, 53700, Pakistan
| | | | - Anicet Batcho
- Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, 53700, Pakistan
| | - Tayyab Husnain
- Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, 53700, Pakistan
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23
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Li C, Wong AYP, Wang S, Jia Q, Chuang WP, Bendena WG, Tobe SS, Yang SH, Chung G, Chan TF, Lam HM, Bede JC, Hui JHL. miRNA-Mediated Interactions in and between Plants and Insects. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:E3239. [PMID: 30347694 PMCID: PMC6213987 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19103239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2018] [Revised: 10/12/2018] [Accepted: 10/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Our understanding of microRNA (miRNA) regulation of gene expression and protein translation, as a critical area of cellular regulation, has blossomed in the last two decades. Recently, it has become apparent that in plant-insect interactions, both plants and insects use miRNAs to regulate their biological processes, as well as co-opting each others' miRNA systems. In this review article, we discuss the current paradigms of miRNA-mediated cellular regulation and provide examples of plant-insect interactions that utilize this regulation. Lastly, we discuss the potential biotechnological applications of utilizing miRNAs in agriculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chade Li
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, Centre of Soybean Research, School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Annette Y P Wong
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, Centre of Soybean Research, School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Shuang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Plant Nutrition of Heilongjiang Province, Institute of Soil Fertilizer and Environment Resources, Heilongjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin 150086, China.
| | - Qi Jia
- Key Laboratory for Genetics Breeding and Multiple Utilization of Crops, Ministry of Education/College of Crop Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China.
| | - Wen-Po Chuang
- Department of Agronomy, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan.
| | - William G Bendena
- Department of Biology, Queen's University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada.
| | - Stephen S Tobe
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3G5, Canada.
| | - Seung Hwan Yang
- Department of Biotechnology, Chonnam National University, Yeosu 59626, Korea.
| | - Gyuhwa Chung
- Department of Biotechnology, Chonnam National University, Yeosu 59626, Korea.
| | - Ting-Fung Chan
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, Centre of Soybean Research, School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Hon-Ming Lam
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, Centre of Soybean Research, School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Jacqueline C Bede
- Department of Plant Science, McGill University, 21,111 Lakeshore, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Montreal, QC H9X 3V9, Canada.
| | - Jerome H L Hui
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, Centre of Soybean Research, School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
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