title: RNA interference: a promising biopesticide strategy against the African Sweetpotato Weevil Cylas brunneus.
abstract: The African sweetpotato weevil Cylas brunneus is one of the most devastating pests affecting the production of sweetpotatoes, an important staple food in Sub-Saharan Africa. Current available control methods against this coleopteran pest are limited. In this study, we analyzed the potential of RNA interference as a novel crop protection strategy against this insect pest. First, the C. brunneus transcriptome was sequenced and RNAi functionality was confirmed by successfully silencing the laccase2 gene. Next, 24 potential target genes were chosen, based on their critical role in vital biological processes. A first screening via injection of gene-specific dsRNAs showed that the dsRNAs were highly toxic for C. brunneus. Injected doses of 200ng/mg body weight led to mortality rates of 90% or higher for 14 of the 24 tested genes after 14 days. The three best performing dsRNAs, targeting prosα2, rps13 and the homolog of Diabrotica virgifera snf7, were then used in further feeding trials to investigate RNAi by oral delivery. Different concentrations of dsRNAs mixed with artificial diet were tested and concentrations as low as 1 μg dsRNA/ mL diet led to significant mortality rates higher than 50%.These results proved that dsRNAs targeting essential genes show great potential to control C. brunneus.
authors.affiliation: Department of Crop Protection, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Christiaens
authors.affiliation: Department of Crop Protection, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium.|Department of Molecular Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium.|International Potato Center (CIP), Genomics and Biotechnology Program, Nairobi 00603, Kenya.
authors.forename: Katterinne
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Prentice
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium.|Institute of Plant Biotechnology Outreach, VIB, Technologiepark 3, B-9052 Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Ine
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Pertry
authors.affiliation: International Potato Center (CIP), Genomics and Biotechnology Program, Nairobi 00603, Kenya.
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ghislain
authors.affiliation: Venganza Inc., St. Augustine, FL 32080, USA.
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bailey
authors.affiliation: Venganza Inc., St. Augustine, FL 32080, USA.
authors.forename: Chuck
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Niblett
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Godelieve
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gheysen
authors.affiliation: Department of Crop Protection, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Guy
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Smagghe
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D061046:Biological Control Agents; D007300:Insect Control / Q000379:methods; D019476:Insect Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D042845:Laccase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics; D007814:Larva; D007928:Lethal Dose 50; D008845:Microinjections; D010572:Pest Control, Biological / Q000379:methods*; D010641:Phenotype; D034622:RNA Interference; D012330:RNA, Double-Stranded / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000235:genetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000633:toxicity*; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000235:genetics; D059467:Transcriptome; D048889:Weevils / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development
chemical_list: D061046:Biological Control Agents; D019476:Insect Proteins; D012330:RNA, Double-Stranded; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; C047663:cuticle proteins, insects; D042845:Laccase