Generation of Virus- and dsRNA-Derived siRNAs with Species-Dependent Length in Insects

• DOI: 10.3390/v11080738
• Publication Date: 2019-08-12T10:38:02Z
• Authors: Dulce Santos; Lina Mingels; Elise Vogel; Luoluo Wang; Olivier Christiaens; Kaat Cappelle; Niels Wynant; Yannick Gansemans; Filip Van Nieuwer...; Guy Smagghe; Luc Swevers; Jozef Vanden Broeck
• Keywords: RNA Silencing

Double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) molecules of viral origin trigger a post-transcriptional gene-silencing mechanism called interference (RNAi). Specifically, virally derived dsRNA is recognized and cleaved by the enzyme Dicer2 into short interfering RNAs (siRNAs), which further direct sequence-specific silencing, ultimately silencing replication virus. Notably, RNAi can also be artificially triggered delivery gene-specific dsRNA, thereby leading to endogenous gene silencing. This widely used technology that holds great potential contribute novel pest control strategies. In this regard, research efforts have been set find methods efficiently in field. article, we demonstrate generation dsRNA- and/or virus-derived siRNAs—the main effectors—in six insect species belonging five economically important orders (Lepidoptera, Orthoptera, Hymenoptera, Coleoptera, Diptera). addition, describe siRNA length distribution species-dependent. Taken together, our results reveal interspecies variability (antiviral) insects show promise future on (viral-based) RNAi-triggering mechanisms class animals.