Xu Wu , Wen-Mei Li , Qiang Xu , Xiao-Ping Yi , Da-He Zhang , Ming-Zhe He , Yu-Hong Ren
{"title":"Improvement of RNAi efficiency by delivering of dsRNA formulated with cell-penetrating disulfide polymer in the fall Armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda","authors":"Xu Wu , Wen-Mei Li , Qiang Xu , Xiao-Ping Yi , Da-He Zhang , Ming-Zhe He , Yu-Hong Ren","doi":"10.1016/j.jinsphys.2025.104881","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>RNA interference (RNAi) has shown excellent potential for pest management worldwide. However, the application of RNAi against insects can be inefficient and unreliable. Finding a better delivery system is a crucial factor for enhancing RNAi efficacy. Here, we present a novel and effective approach of conjugating double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) with a cell-penetrating disulfide polymer (CPD) to improve dsRNA stability and RNAi efficiency. The fall armyworm (FAW), <em>Spodoptera frugiperda</em>, is a globally agricultural insect. Chitin synthase B (<em>CHSB</em>) and methoprene-tolerant (<em>Met</em>) genes, which are essential for the development and growth of FAW, were selected as target genes. The CPD was synthesized using a two-step method for dsRNA delivery. The synthesized CPD/dsRNA complex protected dsRNA from nuclease degradation. The biological application of CPD in Sf9 cells demonstrated low cytotoxicity and high cell viability. Moreover, the CPD-loaded dsRNA entered the cells within 6 h. Bioassays of FAW showed that the relative expression levels of the <em>CHSB</em> and <em>Met</em> genes were reduced. Specifically, at 72 h, the relative expression levels of the <em>CHSB</em> and <em>Met</em> genes were 48.14 % and 37.60 % of those in the control group, respectively. The weight and body length of the larvae decreased significantly, and the mortality rate of CPD/ds<em>CHSB</em> reached 30 %. This CPD was demonstrated for the first time to have excellent delivery performance in insects and is expected to become a new and effective tool for pest control, representing a significant advancement in pest management.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16189,"journal":{"name":"Journal of insect physiology","volume":"166 ","pages":"Article 104881"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3000,"publicationDate":"2025-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Journal of insect physiology","FirstCategoryId":"97","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022191025001350","RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"ENTOMOLOGY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi) has shown excellent potential for pest management worldwide. However, the application of RNAi against insects can be inefficient and unreliable. Finding a better delivery system is a crucial factor for enhancing RNAi efficacy. Here, we present a novel and effective approach of conjugating double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) with a cell-penetrating disulfide polymer (CPD) to improve dsRNA stability and RNAi efficiency. The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda, is a globally agricultural insect. Chitin synthase B (CHSB) and methoprene-tolerant (Met) genes, which are essential for the development and growth of FAW, were selected as target genes. The CPD was synthesized using a two-step method for dsRNA delivery. The synthesized CPD/dsRNA complex protected dsRNA from nuclease degradation. The biological application of CPD in Sf9 cells demonstrated low cytotoxicity and high cell viability. Moreover, the CPD-loaded dsRNA entered the cells within 6 h. Bioassays of FAW showed that the relative expression levels of the CHSB and Met genes were reduced. Specifically, at 72 h, the relative expression levels of the CHSB and Met genes were 48.14 % and 37.60 % of those in the control group, respectively. The weight and body length of the larvae decreased significantly, and the mortality rate of CPD/dsCHSB reached 30 %. This CPD was demonstrated for the first time to have excellent delivery performance in insects and is expected to become a new and effective tool for pest control, representing a significant advancement in pest management.
期刊介绍:
All aspects of insect physiology are published in this journal which will also accept papers on the physiology of other arthropods, if the referees consider the work to be of general interest. The coverage includes endocrinology (in relation to moulting, reproduction and metabolism), pheromones, neurobiology (cellular, integrative and developmental), physiological pharmacology, nutrition (food selection, digestion and absorption), homeostasis, excretion, reproduction and behaviour. Papers covering functional genomics and molecular approaches to physiological problems will also be included. Communications on structure and applied entomology can be published if the subject matter has an explicit bearing on the physiology of arthropods. Review articles and novel method papers are also welcomed.