RNAi Nucleotide Sequences for Lygus Pest Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for controlling insect invasions in crops, such as chemical pesticides and microbial pesticides, face issues like non-selectivity, environmental pollution, and the development of pesticide-resistant insects, while transgenic crops are limited in their ability to control piercing-sucking pests effectively.
Innovation Solution
A nucleotide sequence and method using RNAi technology to downregulate specific target sequences in insect pests like Lygus, specifically inhibiting their growth and reproduction by introducing double-stranded RNA molecules that are complementary to target sequences within the pest's genome.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If chemical pesticides are used to control insect invasions, then insect control effectiveness is improved, but environmental pollution and harm to non-target organisms increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dsRNA as an intermediary substance that mediates between the plant and the pest. The dsRNA is taken up by the pest during feeding and triggers RNAi, silencing essential pest genes without affecting non-target organisms. This intermediary mechanism provides selective toxicity to pests while sparing beneficial insects and environmental organisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the chemical mechanism of pesticides with a biological mechanism (RNA interference). Instead of using chemical toxins that kill pests through physiological disruption, the system uses sequence-specific RNA molecules that trigger gene silencing in the pest, substituting chemical action with a biological information-based mechanism.
2Reliability
If microbial pesticides are used to control insect invasions, then insect control effectiveness is improved, but production cost increases due to repeated application
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by incorporating the dsRNA-producing capability directly into the plant genome. The plant is genetically engineered to constitutively produce and accumulate dsRNA targets in its tissues before pest infestation occurs. When pests feed on the plant, they immediately acquire the dsRNA and experience gene silencing, eliminating the need for repeated applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the plant to serve itself by providing built-in pest resistance through endogenous dsRNA production. The plant's own metabolic machinery is harnessed to transcribe and process the introduced hairpin RNA constructs, producing dsRNA that automatically targets pest genes. This self-service mechanism eliminates dependence on external pesticide applications.
3Reliability
If transgenic crops with Bt toxins are used to control pests, then resistance to a narrow range of pests is improved, but effectiveness against piercing-sucking pests remains insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves universality by designing a pest control mechanism that is not limited to specific pest types. The RNAi approach targets essential conserved genes (such as actin, tubulin, or other housekeeping genes) that are fundamental to insect survival across different orders. This allows the same plant construct to provide resistance against both chewing pests and piercing-sucking pests, unlike Bt toxins which are highly specific to certain insect groups.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach effectively controls insect invasions by specifically targeting and weakening the abilities of Lygus pests to survive, grow, and reproduce, offering a selective and environmentally friendly solution that can be integrated into plants like soybean, maize, and cotton, reducing pesticide use and resistance development.
Implementation Method 1
A nucleotide sequence and method using RNAi technology to downregulate specific target sequences in insect pests like Lygus, specifically inhibiting their growth and reproduction by introducing double-stranded RNA molecules that are complementary to target sequences within the pest's genome
Implementation Method 2
introducing double-stranded RNA molecules that are complementary to target sequences within the pest's genome
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are a nucleotide sequence and a method for controlling insect invasions, the isolated polynucleotide sequence comprising: (a) a polynucleotide sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 1, 2 or 3; or (b) a polynucleotide sequence hybridizing with the polynucleotide sequence defined in (a) under stringent conditions; or (c) a polynucleotide sequence having an identity of not less than 80% to the polynucleotide sequence defined in (a); or (d) a polynucleotide sequence of at least 19 consecutive nucleotides of the polynucleotide sequence defined in (a), wherein a double-stranded RNA comprising at least one strand complementary to the polynucleotide sequence, when ingested by an insect pest from Hemiptera, inhibits growth of the insect pest; or (e) a complementary sequence of the polynucleotide sequence as defined in (a), (b), (c) or (d). The three target sequences for controlling an insect pest from Hemiptera, Lygus, have the advantages of efficiency, specificity, convenience and low cost.