Abstract

NORIEGA, Daniel; VALENCIA, Arnubio  and  VILLEGAS, Bernardo. RNA INTEREFERENCE (RNAi): A NOVEL TECHNOLOGY WITH POTENTIAL FOR PEST INSECT MANAGEMENT. rev.udcaactual.divulg.cient. [online]. 2016, vol.19, n.1, pp.25-35. ISSN 0123-4226.

RNA Interference (RNAi) is a biological mechanism widely distributed in eukaryotes that allows silencing of genes in the presence of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) molecules. This mechanism was discovered more than 15 years ago, since then a lot of research projects have been performed in order to obtain a better understanding of how this mechanism works, its function in different organisms, utility for specific gene function description and its potential in the technologic development of other areas. Gene silencing occurs by the interaction between enzymatic complexes in the cytoplasm, with small interference RNA molecules (siRNA), which act on the endogenous messenger RNA (mRNA), therefore preventing their translation to proteins. It is a fact that RNAi could be used as an alternative technology for pest control, through silencing essential genes for the target species. The implementation of this technology involve many necessary studies, ranging from the identification of target genes including dsRNA sequence design, development of bioassays and field tests that show the real effects of dsRNA on gene silencing, and the evaluation of associated factors that could produce variability during the process. Due to this, is necessary more research studies for a marketing establishing of this technology. This paper presents the theory behind the RNAi mechanism, current achievements of this technology, as well as the potential of this technology for insect pest control.

Keywords : Gene silencing; pest control; RNA interference; mRNA; transcriptome.

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