Development of an RNAi-based microalgal larvicide for the control of Aedes aegypti
Abstract Background Mosquito-borne diseases affect over half of the human population globally. Multiple studies have shown that chemical insecticides are ineffective because of resistance. Therefore, environmentally safe mosquito population control tools need to be developed. Ribonucleic acid interf...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2021-08-01
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| Series: | Parasites & Vectors |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-021-04885-1 |
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| author | Xiaowen Fei Yang Zhang Lili Ding Sha Xiao Xiaoqing Xie Yajun Li Xiaodong Deng |
| author_facet | Xiaowen Fei Yang Zhang Lili Ding Sha Xiao Xiaoqing Xie Yajun Li Xiaodong Deng |
| author_sort | Xiaowen Fei |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Mosquito-borne diseases affect over half of the human population globally. Multiple studies have shown that chemical insecticides are ineffective because of resistance. Therefore, environmentally safe mosquito population control tools need to be developed. Ribonucleic acid interference (RNAi) is a reverse genetic mechanism recently introduced as a new pest control tool. This technique represents a new class of biorational technology that could combat the increased global incidence of insecticide resistance. The technique has the potential of becoming a critical component of integrated vector control programs. Methods A 3-hydroxykynurenine transaminase (3-HKT) RNAi expression plasmid was constructed, generated and transformed into Chlamydomonas and Chlorella algae. The transgenic algae were then used to feed Ae. aegypti mosquito larvae. The feeding experiments were conducted on a small and large scale with 10 and about 300 larvae, respectively. The mortality rate of the larvae was calculated over 30 days. In addition, histological examination of the insect tissues was performed to examine the extent of tissue damage. Results The integumentary system and midguts of larvae fed with transgenic Chlamydomonas were severely damaged. The mortality rate of the larvae fed with transgenic Chlamydomonas ranged from 60 to 100% in small-scale tests. The survival rate of adult mosquitoes was 0.0% in a large-scale feeding experiment when the larvae were fed with transgenic Chlamydomonas. Moreover, when the larvae were fed with transgenic Chlorella, the mortality rate ranged from 6.7% to 43% compared to that fed wild-type Chlorella. Conclusions 3HKT RNAi transgenic algae are in some scales lethal to Ae. aegypti. The findings of this study indicate that technology based on microalgae RNAi may provide a new way to control mosquito populations. Graphical Abstract |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-17T13:27:19Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-cfe528cf9498450e9347fa16b05decb2 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1756-3305 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-17T13:27:19Z |
| publishDate | 2021-08-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Parasites & Vectors |
| spelling | doaj.art-cfe528cf9498450e9347fa16b05decb22022-12-21T21:46:42ZengBMCParasites & Vectors1756-33052021-08-0114111110.1186/s13071-021-04885-1Development of an RNAi-based microalgal larvicide for the control of Aedes aegyptiXiaowen Fei0Yang Zhang1Lili Ding2Sha Xiao3Xiaoqing Xie4Yajun Li5Xiaodong Deng6Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Hainan Medical CollegeDepartment of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Hainan Medical CollegeDepartment of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Hainan Medical CollegeDepartment of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Hainan Medical CollegeInstitute of Tropical Bioscience and Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural ScienceInstitute of Tropical Bioscience and Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural ScienceInstitute of Tropical Bioscience and Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural ScienceAbstract Background Mosquito-borne diseases affect over half of the human population globally. Multiple studies have shown that chemical insecticides are ineffective because of resistance. Therefore, environmentally safe mosquito population control tools need to be developed. Ribonucleic acid interference (RNAi) is a reverse genetic mechanism recently introduced as a new pest control tool. This technique represents a new class of biorational technology that could combat the increased global incidence of insecticide resistance. The technique has the potential of becoming a critical component of integrated vector control programs. Methods A 3-hydroxykynurenine transaminase (3-HKT) RNAi expression plasmid was constructed, generated and transformed into Chlamydomonas and Chlorella algae. The transgenic algae were then used to feed Ae. aegypti mosquito larvae. The feeding experiments were conducted on a small and large scale with 10 and about 300 larvae, respectively. The mortality rate of the larvae was calculated over 30 days. In addition, histological examination of the insect tissues was performed to examine the extent of tissue damage. Results The integumentary system and midguts of larvae fed with transgenic Chlamydomonas were severely damaged. The mortality rate of the larvae fed with transgenic Chlamydomonas ranged from 60 to 100% in small-scale tests. The survival rate of adult mosquitoes was 0.0% in a large-scale feeding experiment when the larvae were fed with transgenic Chlamydomonas. Moreover, when the larvae were fed with transgenic Chlorella, the mortality rate ranged from 6.7% to 43% compared to that fed wild-type Chlorella. Conclusions 3HKT RNAi transgenic algae are in some scales lethal to Ae. aegypti. The findings of this study indicate that technology based on microalgae RNAi may provide a new way to control mosquito populations. Graphical Abstracthttps://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-021-04885-1RNA interferenceAedes aegyptiDengueChlamydomonasChlorella |
| spellingShingle | Xiaowen Fei Yang Zhang Lili Ding Sha Xiao Xiaoqing Xie Yajun Li Xiaodong Deng Development of an RNAi-based microalgal larvicide for the control of Aedes aegypti Parasites & Vectors RNA interference Aedes aegypti Dengue Chlamydomonas Chlorella |
| title | Development of an RNAi-based microalgal larvicide for the control of Aedes aegypti |
| title_full | Development of an RNAi-based microalgal larvicide for the control of Aedes aegypti |
| title_fullStr | Development of an RNAi-based microalgal larvicide for the control of Aedes aegypti |
| title_full_unstemmed | Development of an RNAi-based microalgal larvicide for the control of Aedes aegypti |
| title_short | Development of an RNAi-based microalgal larvicide for the control of Aedes aegypti |
| title_sort | development of an rnai based microalgal larvicide for the control of aedes aegypti |
| topic | RNA interference Aedes aegypti Dengue Chlamydomonas Chlorella |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-021-04885-1 |
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