Abstract

Rajan Katoch , and Neelam Thakur

RNA interference (RNAi) is a post-transcriptional control echanism involving degradation of target mRNA which is mediated by small interfering RNAs (siRNAs). This phenomenon of gene silencing has now been considered as a potential strategy for the control of insect pests. The selection of the target gene and synthesis of double stranded RNA (dsRNA) comprise crucial component of application of this technology. Different methods for the delivery of dsRNA in to insect have been investigated in the recent years. However, there are many limitations for the application of RNAi as a potential strategy for insect control. Most of the studies on RNAi for insect control have been focused on the insect midgut as it is considered as most effective target for the RNAi based pest control. The delivery of dsRNA in to the midgut is affected by feeding as dietary component; however, the environment of midgut is hostile for the fed dsRNA, where the gut nucleases and pH plays a major role among other associated factors. The current developments have shown RNAi technology as an important tool for next generation insect control measure. To achieve the practical application of this technology in insect-pest control, further study on the protection of dsRNA in insect gut is needed. The present review focuses on the major threats for the integrity of dsRNA in the insect gut