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Double-stranded RNA Oral Delivery Methods to Induce RNA Interference in Phloem and Plant-sap-feeding Hemipteran Insects
Published on: May 4, 2018
Advancing pest control: evaluating the effectiveness of RNAi and the BenPol delivery platform for Lucilia cuprina
Yakun Yan1, Timothy J Mahony1, Karl Robinson1
1Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
Background:
The ectoparasite Lucilia cuprina causes 'flystrike', a serious health and welfare issue for sheep. RNA interference (RNAi) offers a promising biocontrol strategy for L. cuprina, but its application is limited by double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) instability.
Results:
A novel bentonite-polymer (BenPol) delivery system was developed and characterized by X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, confirming successful polymer-bentonite interaction and dsRNA loading. This study assessed the stability and effectiveness of RNAi against L. cuprina larvae using a BenPol delivery system. Six dsRNA targets were screened via larval microinjection, and three with the highest knockdown and survival reduction were selected. dsRNAs were adsorbed onto polyethylenimine (PEI) or poly-[2-(dimethylamino) ethyl methacrylate] (pDMAEMA) and encapsulated with bentonite (Ben). Both BenPol-PEI and BenPol-pDMAEMA systems demonstrated low cytotoxicity, efficient dsRNA cellular uptake (confocal imaging), and >24 h protection from larval midgut fluid degradation. In feeding assays, BenPol formulations significantly enhanced RNAi efficacy, with lower target gene expression than naked dsRNA at 3, 5, and 7 days post-treatment.
Conclusion:
Overall, the results demonstrate the potential of BenPol system as an efficient delivery platform for dsRNA, and advancement of sustainable agricultural biotechnology applications and providing a promising solution for managing flystrike in sheep. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.
