Improved insect-proofing: expressing double-stranded RNA in chloroplasts

Pest Manag Sci. 2018 Aug;74(8):1751-1758. doi: 10.1002/ps.4870. Epub 2018 Mar 7.

Abstract

RNA interference (RNAi) was discovered almost 20 years ago and has been exploited worldwide to silence genes in plants and animals. A decade later, it was found that transforming plants with an RNAi construct targeting an insect gene could protect the plant against feeding by that insect. Production of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) in a plant to affect the viability of a herbivorous animal is termed trans-kingdom RNAi (TK-RNAi). Since this pioneering work, there have been many further examples of successful TK-RNAi, but also reports of failed attempts and unrepeatable experiments. Recently, three laboratories have shown that producing dsRNA in a plant's chloroplast, rather than in its cellular cytoplasm, is a very effective way of delivering TK-RNAi. Our review examines this potentially game-changing approach and compares it with other transgenic insect-proofing schemes. © 2018 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Keywords: Chloroplast; Kingdom; RNAi; Trans.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chloroplasts / physiology*
  • Genes, Insect / genetics*
  • Insect Control / methods*
  • Plants, Genetically Modified / physiology*
  • RNA Interference*
  • RNA, Double-Stranded / genetics*

Substances

  • RNA, Double-Stranded