We review RNA interference (RNAi) of insect pests and its potential for implementing sterile insect technique (SIT)‐related control. The molecular mechanisms that support RNAi in pest species are reviewed in detail, drawing on literature from a range of species including Drosophila melanogaster Meigen and Homo sapiens L. The underlying genes that enable RNAi are generally conserved across taxa, although variance exists in both their form and function. RNAi represents a plausible, non‐GM system for targeting populations of insects for control purposes, if RNAi effector molecules can be delivered environmentally (eRNAi). We consider studies of eRNAi from across several insect orders and review to what extent taxonomy, genetics, and differing methods of double‐stranded (ds) RNA synthesis and delivery can influence the efficiency of gene knockdown. Several factors, including the secondary structure of the target mRNA and the specific nucleotide sequence of dsRNA effector molecules, can affect the potency of eRNAi. However, taxonomic relationships between insects cannot be used to reliably forecast the efficiency of an eRNAi response. The mechanisms by which insects acquire dsRNA from their environment require further research, but the evidence to date suggests that endocytosis and transport channels both play key roles. Delivery of RNA molecules packaged in intermediary carriers such as bacteria or nanoparticles may facilitate their entry into and through the gut, and enable the evasion of host defence systems, such as toxic pH, that would otherwise attenuate the potential for RNAi.

中文翻译：

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利用RNA干扰实施昆虫不育技术——综述


我们回顾了害虫的 RNA 干扰 (RNAi) 及其实施昆虫不育技术 (SIT) 相关控制的潜力。借鉴了包括果蝇 Meigen 和智人 L 在内的一系列物种的文献，详细回顾了支持害虫物种中 RNAi 的分子机制。支持 RNAi 的潜在基因在不同分类单元中通常是保守的，尽管它们的形式存在差异和功能。如果 RNAi 效应分子可以在环境中传递（eRNAi），那么 RNAi 代表了一种合理的非转基因系统，用于针对昆虫种群进行控制。我们考虑了对多个昆虫目的 eRNAi 的研究，并回顾了分类学、遗传学和双链 (ds) RNA 合成和传递的不同方法在多大程度上影响基因敲低的效率。有几个因素，包括目标 mRNA 的二级结构和 dsRNA 效应分子的特定核苷酸序列，可以影响 eRNAi 的效力。然而，昆虫之间的分类关系不能用于可靠地预测 eRNAi 响应的效率。昆虫从环境中获取 dsRNA 的机制需要进一步研究，但迄今为止的证据表明内吞作用和运输通道都发挥着关键作用。包装在细菌或纳米颗粒等中间载体中的 RNA 分子的递送可能有助于它们进入并通过肠道，并能够逃避宿主防御系统，例如有毒 pH 值，否则会减弱 RNAi 的潜力。