Progress in RNAi technology, and prospects for its application, in entomological research in China
Author of the article:TIAN Hong-Gang； LIU Tong-Xian；ZHANG Wen-Qing
Author's Workplace：1. State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for the Arid Areas, Key Laboratory of Northwest Loess Plateau Crop Pest Management of Ministry of Agriculture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China; 2. State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
Key Words：insects; RNAi; gene function; insect pest control; RNAi mechanism
Abstract：RNAi was discovered more than 20 years ago and Chinese entomologists have used this technology to conduct extensive and in-depth research on many insect species, including Nilaparvata lugens, Locusta migratoria, Acyrthosiphon pisum, Bemisia tabaci, Spodoptera exigua and Helicoverpa armigera. Up to now, Chinese publications on insect RNAi have ranked second in the world. The application of RNAi technology in China has revealed a great number of key gene functions and molecular mechanisms related to important biological phenomena and insect behaviors. A variety of pest control methods have been developed based on RNAi-mediated, beyond transgenic, insect-resistant, RNAi crops. The molecular mechanisms of RNAi in different insects has also been explored. Current studies indicate that RNAi technology has played an important role in promoting the development of Chinese entomological research. This paper reviews the development and application of RNAi technology in entomological research in China over the past 20 years, including current problems and directions for future development. We suggest that the application of RNAi technology in entomological research will be promoted by further work on RNAi target gene screening, the evaluation of RNAi efficiency, the joint application of RNAi technology and traditional pest control methods, and better understanding of the mechanisms underlying insect RNAi and insect pest control in China.