title: Symbiont-mediated RNA interference in insects.
abstract: RNA interference (RNAi) methods for insects are often limited by problems with double-stranded (ds) RNA delivery, which restricts reverse genetics studies and the development of RNAi-based biocides. We therefore delegated to insect symbiotic bacteria the task of: (i) constitutive dsRNA synthesis and (ii) trauma-free delivery. RNaseIII-deficient, dsRNA-expressing bacterial strains were created from the symbionts of two very diverse pest species: a long-lived blood-sucking bug, Rhodnius prolixus, and a short-lived globally invasive polyphagous agricultural pest, western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis). When ingested, the manipulated bacteria colonized the insects, successfully competed with the wild-type microflora, and sustainably mediated systemic knockdown phenotypes that were horizontally transmissible. This represents a significant advance in the ability to deliver RNAi, potentially to a large range of non-model insects.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Life Science, College of Medicine, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK.
authors.forename: Miranda M A
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Whitten
authors.affiliation: Institute of Life Science, College of Medicine, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK.
authors.forename: Paul D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Facey
authors.affiliation: Institute of Life Science, College of Medicine, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK.
authors.forename: Ricardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Del Sol
authors.affiliation: Institute of Life Science, College of Medicine, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK.
authors.forename: Lorena T
authors.initials: LT
authors.lastname: Fernández-Martínez
authors.affiliation: Institute of Life Science, College of Medicine, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK.
authors.forename: Meirwyn C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.affiliation: Institute of Life Science, College of Medicine, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK.
authors.forename: Jacob J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Mitchell
authors.affiliation: Institute of Life Science, College of Medicine, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK.
authors.forename: Owen G
authors.initials: OG
authors.lastname: Bodger
authors.affiliation: Institute of Life Science, College of Medicine, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK p.j.dyson@swansea.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Paul J
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0558-2666
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Dyson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018390:Gene Targeting / Q000379:methods*; D034622:RNA Interference; D012330:RNA, Double-Stranded / Q000235:genetics*; D012239:Rhodnius / Q000235:genetics* / Q000382:microbiology; D012240:Rhodococcus / Q000235:genetics*; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D013559:Symbiosis; D061149:Thysanoptera / Q000235:genetics* / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D012330:RNA, Double-Stranded
keywords: Chagas disease; RNA interference; biocide; insect; symbiotic bacteria