Price Daniel R G, Gatehouse John A
School of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Durham University, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, UK.
Trends Biotechnol. 2008 Jul;26(7):393-400. doi: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2008.04.004. Epub 2008 May 22.
Downregulation of the expression of specific genes through RNA interference (RNAi), has been widely used for genetic research in insects. The method has relied on the injection of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), which is not possible for practical applications in crop protection. By contrast, specific suppression of gene expression in nematodes is possible through feeding with dsRNA. This approach was thought to be unfeasible in insects, but recent results have shown that dsRNA fed as a diet component can be effective in downregulating targeted genes. More significantly, expression of dsRNA directed against suitable insect target genes in transgenic plants has been shown to give protection against pests, opening the way for a new generation of insect-resistant crops.
通过RNA干扰（RNAi）下调特定基因的表达，已被广泛应用于昆虫的遗传研究。该方法依赖于注射双链RNA（dsRNA），但这在作物保护的实际应用中是不可行的。相比之下，通过喂食dsRNA可以特异性抑制线虫中的基因表达。这种方法曾被认为在昆虫中不可行，但最近的结果表明，作为饮食成分喂食的dsRNA可以有效地下调目标基因。更重要的是，已证明在转基因植物中表达针对合适昆虫靶基因的dsRNA能够提供对害虫的保护，为新一代抗虫作物开辟了道路。
