Chemically modified dsRNA induces RNAi effects in insects in vitro and in vivo: A potential new tool for improving RNA-based plant protection (original) (raw)
Global agriculture loses over $100 billion of produce annually to crop pests such as insects. Many of these crop pests either have no current means of control or have developed resistance against chemical pesticides. Long dsRNAs are capable of inducing RNA interference (RNAi) in insects and are emerging as novel highly selective alternatives for sustainable insect management strategies. However, there are significant challenges associated with RNAi efficacy in insects. In this study, we synthesised a range of chemically modified long dsRNA in an approach to improve nuclease resistance and RNAi efficacy in insects. The results showed that dsRNA containing phosphorothioate modifications demonstrated increased resistance to southern green stink bug saliva nucleases. Phosphorothioate and 2’-fluoro modified dsRNA also demonstrated increased resistance to degradation by soil nucleases and increased RNAi efficacy in Drosophila melanogaster cell cultures. In live insects, chemically modifie...
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