Caenorhabditis elegans systemic RNA interference defective protein 1 enhances RNAi efficiency in a lepidopteran insect, the fall armyworm, in a tissue-specific manner

Xien Chen, Jinmo Koo, Dhandapani Gurusamy, Kanakachari Mogilicherla, Subba Reddy Palli

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

17 Scopus citations

Abstract

RNA interference (RNAi) is an important tool for gene function studies in insects, especially in non-model insects. This technology is also being developed for pest control. However, variable RNAi efficiency among insects is limiting its use in insects. Systemic RNAi in Caenorhabditis elegans requires systemic RNA interference defective protein 1 (CeSid1). The expression of CeSid1 in insect cell lines was shown to improve RNAi. However, the mechanisms through which this double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) transporter improves RNAi efficiency in insects is not known. We stably expressed CeSid1 in two Spodoptera frugiperda cell lines, Sf9 and Sf17 cells derived from ovary and midgut, respectively. Expression of CeSid1 enhanced RNAi efficiency in ovarian Sf9 cells, but not in midgut Sf17 cells. Reduced accumulation of dsRNA in late endosomes and successful processing dsRNA to siRNA contribute to enhanced RNAi efficiency in Sf9 cells. Transgenic S. frugiperda expressing CeSid1 were produced and tested for RNAi efficiency. RNAi efficiency enhancement due to CeSid1 expression showed tissue specificity. Compared to RNAi efficiency in wild-type S. frugiperda, CeSid1 expressing transgenic S. frugiperda showed a significant improvement of RNAi in tissues such as Verson’s glands. In contrast, no improvement in RNAi was observed in tissues such as midgut. The in vitro cell-type specific and in vivo tissue-specific enhancement of RNAi efficiency by CeSid1 in S. frugiperda provides valuable information for improving RNAi in insects such as those belonging to order Lepidoptera where RNAi is variable and inefficient.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1291-1299
Number of pages9
JournalRNA Biology
Volume18
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - 2021

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2020 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

Keywords

  • RNA interference
  • Spodoptera frugiperda
  • dsRNA transporter
  • enhanced RNAi
  • transgenesis

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Caenorhabditis elegans systemic RNA interference defective protein 1 enhances RNAi efficiency in a lepidopteran insect, the fall armyworm, in a tissue-specific manner'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this