Huang Yujie, Huang Jinman, Kim Dae Sung, Zhang Jiang
School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Wuhan, China.
Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China.
NPJ Biofilms Microbiomes. 2025 Jul 22;11(1):141. doi: 10.1038/s41522-025-00767-x.
RNA interference (RNAi) has proven to be an effective measure in combating insect pests. RNA-based pesticides have already made their way to the market for pest control. We previously have demonstrated the pivotal role of gut microbiota in influencing the efficacy of RNAi against the leaf beetle Plagiodera versicolora (Coleoptera), a species highly susceptible to RNAi. However, the role of the gut microbiota in different insect species remains ambiguous. We delved into the intricate interplay between gut bacterial communities and RNAi in the phytophagous ladybird beetle, Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata (HV), a significant agricultural pest targeting solanaceous plants. By administering double-stranded RNA targeting HV β-Actin gene (dsACT) or utilizing transplastomic (plastid genome transformed) potato plants expressing dsACT on HV axenic larvae, a substantial decrease in lethality was observed compared to non-axenic controls. This underscores the critical role of microbiota in enhancing the effectiveness of RNAi. The disruption of microbial diversity and functionality due to dysbiosis induced by dsRNA feeding amplified physiological stress and mortality rates in HV. Notably, the optimal bacterial densities were crucial for maximizing mortality rates, as elevated concentrations of gut bacteria could disrupt the native microbial equilibrium. These findings underscore the importance of microbiota-aware strategies in RNAi applications, particularly in the context of sustainable pest management within solanaceous crop systems.
RNA干扰（RNAi）已被证明是防治害虫的有效手段。基于RNA的杀虫剂已进入害虫防治市场。我们之前已经证明了肠道微生物群在影响RNAi对叶甲Plagiodera versicolora（鞘翅目）防治效果中的关键作用，该物种对RNAi高度敏感。然而，肠道微生物群在不同昆虫物种中的作用仍不明确。我们深入研究了植食性瓢虫Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata（HV）（一种以茄科植物为食的重要农业害虫）肠道细菌群落与RNAi之间的复杂相互作用。通过向无菌的HV幼虫施用靶向HV β-肌动蛋白基因的双链RNA（dsACT）或利用表达dsACT的转质体（质体基因组转化）马铃薯植株，与非无菌对照相比，观察到致死率大幅下降。这突出了微生物群在增强RNAi有效性方面的关键作用。由于dsRNA喂食诱导的生态失调导致的微生物多样性和功能破坏，增加了HV的生理应激和死亡率。值得注意的是，最佳细菌密度对于使死亡率最大化至关重要，因为肠道细菌浓度升高会破坏天然微生物平衡。这些发现强调了在RNAi应用中考虑微生物群的策略的重要性，特别是在茄科作物系统的可持续害虫管理背景下。
