RNAi技术在中国昆虫学研究中的发展、应用与展望

Progress in RNAi technology, and prospects for its application, in entomological research in China

RNAi现象从其原理揭示至今已有20余年的历史,我国昆虫学家利用RNAi技术在褐飞虱Nilaparvata lugens、飞蝗Locusta migratoria、豌豆蚜Acyrthosiphon pisum、烟粉虱Bemisia tabaci、甜菜夜蛾Spodopteraexigua、棉铃虫Helicoverpaarmigera等多种昆虫中开展了广泛深入的研究工作,目前已发表的关于昆虫RNAi的论文数量位列世界第二位。我国科学家应用RNAi技术揭示了多个与昆虫重要生物学现象和行为相关的关键基因功能及其分子机制,发展了基于RNAi介导的转基因抗虫作物等多种害虫控制新方法,并探索了不同昆虫中RNAi作用的分子机制。这些研究表明RNAi技术对于中国昆虫学研究的发展起到了重要的推动作用。本文综述了RNAi技术在我国昆虫学研究领域近20年来的发展与应用,并对当前存在的问题及未来发展方向进行了展望,包括靶标基因筛选、RNAi效率评价标准、RNAi技术与传统害虫防治方法的联合应用模式以及昆虫RNAi作用机制等方面,以期更好地推动RNAi技术在我国昆虫学研究和害虫防治领域的发展。

RNAi was discovered more than 20 years ago and Chinese entomologists have used this technology to conduct extensive and in-depth research on many insect species, including Nilaparvata lugens, Locusta migratoria, Acyrthosiphon pisum, Bemisia tabaci, Spodoptera exigua and Helicoverpa armigera. Up to now, Chinese publications on insect RNAi have ranked second in the world. The application of RNAi technology in China has revealed a great number of key gene functions and molecular mechanisms related to important biological phenomena and insect behaviors. A variety of pest control methods have been developed based on RNAi-mediated, beyond transgenic, insect-resistant, RNAi crops. The molecular mechanisms of RNAi in different insects has also been explored. Current studies indicate that RNAi technology has played an important role in promoting the development of Chinese entomological research. This paper reviews the development and application of RNAi technology in entomological research in China over the past 20 years, including current problems and directions for future development. We suggest that the application of RNAi technology in entomological research will be promoted by further work on RNAi target gene screening, the evaluation of RNAi efficiency, the joint application of RNAi technology and traditional pest control methods, and better understanding of the mechanisms underlying insect RNAi and insect pest control in China.