scholarly journals RNA interference as a gene silencing tool to controlTuta absolutain tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)

PeerJ ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. e2673 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberto A. Camargo ◽  
Guilherme O. Barbosa ◽  
Isabella Presotto Possignolo ◽  
Lazaro E. P. Peres ◽  
Eric Lam ◽  
...  

RNA interference (RNAi), a gene-silencing mechanism that involves providing double-stranded RNA molecules that match a specific target gene sequence, is now widely used in functional genetic studies. The potential application of RNAi-mediated control of agricultural insect pests has rapidly become evident. The production of transgenic plants expressing dsRNA molecules that target essential insect genes could provide a means of specific gene silencing in larvae that feed on these plants, resulting in larval phenotypes that range from loss of appetite to death. In this report, we show that the tomato leafminer (Tuta absoluta), a major threat to commercial tomato production, can be targeted by RNAi. We selected two target genes (Vacuolar ATPase-AandArginine kinase) based on the RNAi response reported for these genes in other pest species. In view of the lack of an artificial diet forT. absoluta, we used two approaches to deliver dsRNA into tomato leaflets. The first approach was based on the uptake of dsRNA by leaflets and the second was based on “in planta-induced transient gene silencing” (PITGS), a well-established method for silencing plant genes, used here for the first time to deliverin planta-transcribed dsRNA to target insect genes.Tuta absolutalarvae that fed on leaves containing dsRNA of the target genes showed an ∼60% reduction in target gene transcript accumulation, an increase in larval mortality and less leaf damage. We then generated transgenic ‘Micro-Tom’ tomato plants that expressed hairpin sequences for both genes and observed a reduction in foliar damage byT. absolutain these plants. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of RNAi as an alternative method for controlling this critical tomato pest.

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberto A Camargo ◽  
Guilherme O Barbosa ◽  
Isabella Presotto Possignolo ◽  
Lazaro E. P. Peres ◽  
Eric Lam ◽  
...  

RNA interference (RNAi), a gene-silencing mechanism that involves providing double-stranded RNA molecules that match a specific target gene sequence, is now widely used in functional genetic studies. The potential application of RNAi-mediated control of agricultural insect pests has rapidly become evident. The production of transgenic plants expressing dsRNA molecules that target essential insect genes could provide a means of specific gene silencing in larvae that feed on these plants, resulting in larval phenotypes that range from loss of appetite to death. In this report, we show that the tomato leafminer (Tuta absoluta), a major threat to commercial tomato production, can be targeted by RNAi. We selected two target genes [Vacuolar ATPase-A and Arginine kinase] based on the RNAi response reported for these genes in other pest species. In view of the lack of an artificial diet for T. absoluta, we used two approaches to deliver dsRNA into tomato leaflets. The first approach was based on the uptake of dsRNA by leaflets and the second was based on “in planta-induced transient gene silencing” (PITGS), a well-established method for silencing plant genes, used here for the first time to deliver in planta-transcribed dsRNA to target insect genes. Tuta absoluta larvae that fed on leaves containing dsRNA of the target genes showed an ~60% reduction in target gene transcript accumulation, an increase in larval mortality and less leaf damage. We then generated transgenic ‘Micro-Tom’ tomato plants that expressed hairpin sequences for both genes and observed a reduction in foliar damage by T. absoluta in these plants. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of RNAi as an alternative method for controlling this critical tomato pest.


2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberto A Camargo ◽  
Guilherme O Barbosa ◽  
Isabella Presotto Possignolo ◽  
Lazaro E. P. Peres ◽  
Eric Lam ◽  
...  

RNA interference (RNAi), a gene-silencing mechanism that involves providing double-stranded RNA molecules that match a specific target gene sequence, is now widely used in functional genetic studies. The potential application of RNAi-mediated control of agricultural insect pests has rapidly become evident. The production of transgenic plants expressing dsRNA molecules that target essential insect genes could provide a means of specific gene silencing in larvae that feed on these plants, resulting in larval phenotypes that range from loss of appetite to death. In this report, we show that the tomato leafminer (Tuta absoluta), a major threat to commercial tomato production, can be targeted by RNAi. We selected two target genes [Vacuolar ATPase-A and Arginine kinase] based on the RNAi response reported for these genes in other pest species. In view of the lack of an artificial diet for T. absoluta, we used two approaches to deliver dsRNA into tomato leaflets. The first approach was based on the uptake of dsRNA by leaflets and the second was based on “in planta-induced transient gene silencing” (PITGS), a well-established method for silencing plant genes, used here for the first time to deliver in planta-transcribed dsRNA to target insect genes. Tuta absoluta larvae that fed on leaves containing dsRNA of the target genes showed an ~60% reduction in target gene transcript accumulation, an increase in larval mortality and less leaf damage. We then generated transgenic ‘Micro-Tom’ tomato plants that expressed hairpin sequences for both genes and observed a reduction in foliar damage by T. absoluta in these plants. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of RNAi as an alternative method for controlling this critical tomato pest.


Botany ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 91 (2) ◽  
pp. 117-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julian C. Verdonk ◽  
Michael L. Sullivan

Gene silencing is a powerful technique that allows the study of the function of specific genes by selectively reducing their transcription. Several different approaches can be used, however they all have in common the artificial generation of single stranded small ribonucleic acids (RNAs) that are utilized by the endogenous gene silencing machinery of the organism. Artificial microRNAs (amiRNA) can be used to very specifically target genes for silencing because only a short sequence of 21 nucleotides of the gene of interest is used. Gene silencing via amiRNA has been developed for Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. and rice using endogenous microRNA (miRNA) precursors and has been shown to also work effectively in other dicot species using the arabidopsis miRNA precursor. Here, we demonstrate that the arabidopsis miR319 precursor can be used to silence genes in the important forage crop species alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) by silencing the expression of a transgenic beta-glucuronidase (GUSPlus) target gene.


Proceedings ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 11
Author(s):  
Jain ◽  
Robinson ◽  
Mitter

The whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) is a significant global pest of economically important vegetable, fibre, and ornamental crops. Whiteflies directly damage the plants by piercing and sucking essential nutrients, indirectly through honeydew secretion and by transmitting more than 200 plant viruses that cause millions of dollars in produce losses per year. Whitefly management is mostly reliant on the heavy use of chemical insecticides. However, this ultimately leads to increasing resistance development, detrimental effects on beneficial insects and biomagnification of ecologically harmful chemicals in the environment. Responding to consumer demands for more selective, less toxic, non-GM insect control strategies, RNA interference (RNAi) has emerged as a potential game-changing solution. The RNA interference (RNAi) is a homology-dependent mechanism of gene silencing that represents a feasible and sustainable technology for the management of insect pests. In the present study, twenty-two whitefly genes were selected based on their essential function in the insect and tested in artificial diet bioassays for mortality and gene silencing efficacy. The nine most effective dsRNA constructs showed moderate-to-high whitefly mortality as compared to negative controls six days post-feeding. qPCR analysis further demonstrated significant knockdown of target gene mRNA expression. Additionally, uptake and spread of fluorescently labelled dsRNA was evident beyond the midgut of the whitefly supporting the systemic spreading of RNAi effectors. Taken together, the oral delivery of dsRNA shows effective RNAi mediated gene silencing of target genes and offers a viable approach for the development of dsRNA biopesticides against hemipteran pest.


2007 ◽  
Vol 6 (8) ◽  
pp. 1299-1309 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Krajaejun ◽  
G. M. Gauthier ◽  
C. A. Rappleye ◽  
T. D. Sullivan ◽  
B. S. Klein

ABSTRACT A high-throughput strategy for testing gene function would accelerate progress in our understanding of disease pathogenesis for the dimorphic fungus Blastomyces dermatitidis, whose genome is being completed. We developed a green fluorescent protein (GFP) sentinel system of gene silencing to rapidly study genes of unknown function. Using Gateway technology to efficiently generate RNA interference plasmids, we cloned a target gene, “X,” next to GFP to create one hairpin to knock down the expression of both genes so that diminished GFP reports target gene expression. To test this approach in B. dermatitidis, we first used LACZ and the virulence gene BAD1 as targets. The level of GFP reliably reported interference of their expression, leading to rapid detection of gene-silenced transformants. We next investigated a previously unstudied gene encoding septin and explored its possible role in morphogenesis and sporulation. A CDC11 septin homolog in B. dermatitidis localized to the neck of budding yeast cells. CDC11-silenced transformants identified with the sentinel system grew slowly as flat or rough colonies on agar. Microscopically, they formed ballooned, distorted yeast cells that failed to bud, and they sporulated poorly as mold. Hence, this GFP sentinel system enables rapid detection of gene silencing and has revealed a pronounced role for septin in morphogenesis, budding, and sporulation of B. dermatitidis.


2008 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tatjana C Gust ◽  
Luisa Neubrandt ◽  
Claudia Merz ◽  
Khusru Asadullah ◽  
Ulrich Zügel ◽  
...  

2013 ◽  
Vol 103 (5) ◽  
pp. 555-563 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Asokan ◽  
G. Sharath Chandra ◽  
M. Manamohan ◽  
N.K. Krishna Kumar

AbstractRibonucleic acid interference (RNAi) is a sequence-specific gene silencing mechanism induced by double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). Recently, RNAi has gained popularity as a reverse genetics tool owing to its tremendous potential in insect pest management, which includes Helicoverpa armigera. However, its efficiency is mainly governed by dsRNA concentration, frequency of application, target gene, etc. Therefore, to obtain a robust RNAi response in H. armigera, we evaluated various concentrations of dsRNA and its frequency of applications delivered through diet in silencing a midgut gene, chymotrypsin and a non-midgut gene, juvenile hormone acid methyl transferase (jhamt) of H. armigera. The extent of target gene silencing was determined by employing reverse transcription quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Our study revealed four significant findings: (i) single application of dsRNA elicited a delayed and transient silencing, while multiple applications resulted in early and persistent silencing of the above genes; (ii) silencing of the non-midgut gene (jhamt) through diet delivered dsRNA revealed prevalence of systemic silencing probably due to communication of silencing signals in this pest; (iii) the extent of silencing of chymotrypsin was positively correlated with dsRNA concentration and was negatively correlated with jhamt; (iv) interestingly, over-expression (15–18 folds) of an upstream gene, farnesyl diphosphate synthase (fpps), in juvenile hormone (JH) biosynthetic pathway at higher concentrations of jhamt dsRNA was the plausible reason for lesser silencing of jhamt. This study provides an insight into RNAi response of target genes, which is essential for RNAi design and implementation as a pest management strategy.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Madhurima Chatterjee ◽  
Jyoti Yadav ◽  
Maniraj Rathinam ◽  
Kesiraju Karthik ◽  
Gopal Chowdhary ◽  
...  

Abstract Insect pests are one of the major biotic stresses limiting yield in commercially important food crops. The lepidopteran polyphagous spotted pod borer, Maruca vitrata causes significant economic losses in legumes including pigeonpea. RNAi-based gene silencing has emerged as one of the potential biotechnological tools for crop improvement. We report in this paper, RNAi in M. vitrata through exogenous administration of dsRNA encoding three functionally important genes, Alpha-amylase (α-amylase), Chymotrypsin-like serine protease (CTLP) and Tropomyosin (TPM) into the larval haemolymph and their host-delivered RNAi in pigeonpea. Significant decline in the expression of selected genes supported by over-expression of DICER and generation of siRNA indicated the occurrence of RNAi in the dsRNA-injected larvae. Additionally, the onset of RNAi in the herbivore was demonstrated in pigeonpea, one of the prominent hosts, by host-delivered RNAi. Transgenics in pigeonpea (cv. Pusa992), a highly recalcitrant crop, were developed through a shoot apical meristem-targeted in planta transformation strategy and evaluated. Plant level bioassays in transgenic events characterized and selected at molecular level showed mortality of M. vitrata larvae as well as reduced feeding when compared to wild type. Furthermore, molecular evidences for down regulation of target genes in the insects that fed on transgenics authenticated RNAi. Considering the variability of gene silencing in lepidopteran pests, this study provided corroborative proof for the possibility of gene silencing in M. vitrata through both the strategies.


2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Aviñó ◽  
Sandra M. Ocampo ◽  
José Carlos Perales ◽  
Ramon Eritja

Branched RNAs with two and four strands were synthesized. These structures were used to obtain branched siRNA. The branched siRNA duplexes had similar inhibitory capacity as those of unmodified siRNA duplexes, as deduced from gene silencing experiments of the TNF-α protein. Branched RNAs are considered novel structures for siRNA technology, and they provide an innovative tool for specific gene inhibition. As the method described here is compatible with most RNA modifications described to date, these compounds may be further functionalized to obtain more potent siRNA derivatives and can be attached to suitable delivery systems.


2019 ◽  
Vol 109 (05) ◽  
pp. 659-668
Author(s):  
Q.-Y. Xu ◽  
Q.-W. Meng ◽  
P. Deng ◽  
K.-Y. Fu ◽  
W.-C. Guo ◽  
...  

AbstractDietary delivery of bacterially expressed double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) has a great potential for management of Leptinotarsa decemlineata. An important first step is to discover possible RNA-interference (RNAi)-target genes effective against larvae, especially the old larvae. In the present paper, five putative Broad-Complex (BrC) cDNAs (Z1-Z4, and Z6) were identified in L. decemlineata. The expression of the five LdBrC isoforms was suppressed by juvenile hormone signaling, whereas the transcription was upregulated by 20-hydroxyecdysone signaling at the fourth (final) instar larval stage. Feeding of bacterially expressed dsBrC (derived from a common fragment of the five LdBrC variants) in the third- and fourth-instar larvae successfully knocked down the target mRNAs. For the fourth-instar LdBrC RNAi hypomorphs, they had a higher larval mortality compared with the controls. Moreover, most dsBrC-fed beetles did not pupate normally. After removal of the apolysed larval cuticle, a miniature adult was found. The adult head, compound eyes, prothorax, mesothorax, metathorax were found on the dorsal view. Distinct adult cuticle pigmentation was seen on the prothorax. The mouthparts, forelegs, midlegs, and hindlegs could be observed on the ventral view of the miniature adults. For the third-instar LdBrC RNAi specimens, around 20% moribund beetles remained as prepupae and finally died. Therefore, LdBrC is among the most attractive candidate genes for RNAi to control the fourth-instar larvae in L. decemlineata.


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