Synthetic Nanoscale RNAi Constructs as Pesticides for the Control of Locust Migratoria

The low efficiency of RNA interference (RNAi) in insects via the oral administration of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) is a considerable obstacle preventing its application in insect pest control. The instability of dsRNA and insufficient dsRNA uptake are known to limit the RNAi efficiency. To overcome these limitations, the block copolymer poly(ethylene glycol)-polylysine(thiol) [PEG-PLys(SH)] was designed in this study to form well-defined, core-shell nanoparticles to protect dsRNA from premature degradation and to facilitate its movement through various physiological barriers. The developed material had excellent structural stability and dsRNA-protecting capacity, thereby enabling the prolonged survival of dsRNA in the digestive tract for endocytosis into the midgut cells of the migratory locust, Locusta migratoria. After encapsulation of a dsLmCHS2 payload (a midgut gene), a 60% down-regulation of LmCHS2, accompanied with observations of amorphous and discontinuous linings of the peritrophic matrix and abnormal phenotypes, was observed. In addition, the elaborated nanoscale dsRNA condensates appeared to readily extravasate through the narrow fenestrations in the linings of midgut epithelial cells into the hemolymph and be distributed throughout the body. After encapsulation of a dsLmCHS1 payload (a cuticle gene), a distinctive lethal phenotype with molting failure was observed as a result of a 50% down-regulation in LmCHS1. The persistent leaf adherence of these dsRNA constructs was also capable of resisting continuous rinsing. Therefore, these dsRNA constructs represent a robust type of RNAi pesticide, which has potential as a versatile pesticide against a variety of molecular targets for the control of destructive insects and insects resistant to conventional pesticides.

Medienart:

E-Artikel

Erscheinungsjahr:

2022

Erschienen:

2022

Enthalten in:

Zur Gesamtaufnahme - volume:70

Enthalten in:

Journal of agricultural and food chemistry - 70(2022), 35 vom: 07. Sept., Seite 10762-10770

Sprache:

Englisch

Beteiligte Personen:

Lu, Qiong [VerfasserIn]
Cui, Hongyan [VerfasserIn]
Li, Wenda [VerfasserIn]
Liu, Tian [VerfasserIn]
Chen, Qixian [VerfasserIn]
Yang, Qing [VerfasserIn]

Links:

Volltext

Themen:

Copolymer
Insect Proteins
Journal Article
Nanocarrier
Oral delivery
Pesticide
Pesticides
RNA, Double-Stranded
RNA interference

Anmerkungen:

Date Completed 08.09.2022

Date Revised 08.09.2022

published: Print-Electronic

Citation Status MEDLINE

doi:

10.1021/acs.jafc.2c04195

funding:

Förderinstitution / Projekttitel:

PPN (Katalog-ID):

NLM34519053X