Gene-Silencing Technique for Pest Control in Sweet Potato Weevils

Jenn Hoskins
13th June, 2024

Gene-Silencing Technique for Pest Control in Sweet Potato Weevils

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • The study by the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences explored RNA interference (RNAi) as an eco-friendly method to control sweet potato weevils
  • Researchers targeted the Troponin I gene (wupA), crucial for weevil muscle function, and found it highly expressed in all developmental stages
  • Using double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) to silence wupA significantly reduced gene expression and caused high mortality in weevil larvae, without harming non-target insects like silkworms
The sweet potato weevil (Cylas formicarius) is a significant pest that causes considerable global losses in sweet potato crops. Traditional pest management methods, primarily reliant on chemical pesticides, have led to pollution, food safety issues, and the unintended harm of beneficial organisms. The Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences has conducted a study exploring RNA interference (RNAi) as an environmentally friendly alternative for controlling this pest[1]. RNA interference is a biological process where RNA molecules inhibit gene expression, effectively silencing targeted genes. This method has shown promise in pest control but has not been extensively applied to the sweet potato weevil. In this study, researchers targeted the Troponin I gene (wupA), which is vital for muscle composition and essential life activities in sweet potato weevils. They found that wupA is abundantly expressed throughout all developmental stages of the weevil. The researchers evaluated the effectiveness of double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) in silencing the wupA gene through microinjection and oral feeding of sweet potato weevil larvae. Both methods significantly reduced wupA expression and resulted in high mortality rates among the weevils. Notably, the 1st instar larvae (the initial larval stage) that ingested dsRNAs targeting wupA exhibited significant growth inhibition. Additionally, the study assessed the toxicity of dsRNA on non-target insects like the silkworm, confirming its safety for other species. This study builds on previous research demonstrating the potential of RNAi in pest control. For instance, RNAi has been used to develop resistance against the Tomato yellow leaf curl virus in tomatoes by expressing double-stranded RNA homologous to virus sequences[2]. Similarly, the use of peptide nano-materials to enhance dsRNA delivery in insects has shown increased effectiveness in gene silencing, leading to higher mortality rates in pests like Tribolium castaneum and Acyrthosiphon pisum[3]. These findings underscore the versatility and potential of RNAi technology in agricultural pest management. The study also aligns with research on plant-insect interactions, where chemical traits in plants can confer resistance to pests. For example, hydroxycinnamic acids in sweet potato landraces have been shown to provide resistance against sweet potato weevils[4]. Understanding the genetic and chemical bases of resistance can facilitate the development of new crop varieties with enhanced pest resistance. By targeting the wupA gene, the researchers have identified a potential new avenue for controlling the sweet potato weevil in an environmentally friendly manner. This approach could reduce reliance on chemical pesticides, thereby mitigating their adverse effects on the environment and non-target organisms. The results of this study pave the way for further research and development of RNAi-based pest control strategies, offering a promising solution to a long-standing agricultural problem.

AgricultureBiotechGenetics

References

Main Study

1) RNAi-mediated pest control targeting the Troponin I (wupA) gene in sweet potato weevil, Cylas formicarius.

Published 11th June, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1111/1744-7917.13403

Related Studies

2) RNA interference-based resistance in transgenic tomato plants against Tomato yellow leaf curl virus-Oman (TYLCV-OM) and its associated betasatellite.

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12985-015-0263-y

3) Delivery of lethal dsRNAs in insect diets by branched amphiphilic peptide capsules.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jconrel.2018.01.010

4) Segregation of Hydroxycinnamic Acid Esters Mediating Sweetpotato Weevil Resistance in Storage Roots of Sweetpotato.

https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2017.01011


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