Optimizing dsRNA sequences for RNAi in pest control and research with the dsRIP web platform.

ABSTRACT:

Background

RNA interference (RNAi) is a tool for studying gene function and has emerged as a promising eco-friendly alternative to chemical pesticides. RNAi relies on delivering double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), which is processed into small interfering RNA (siRNA) to silence genes. However, so far, knowledge and tools for optimizing the dsRNA sequences for maximum efficacy are based on human data, which might not be optimal for insect pest control.

Results

Here, we systematically tested different siRNA sequences in the red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum to identify sequence features that correlated with high efficacy using pest control as a study case. Thermodynamic asymmetry, the absence of secondary structures, and adenine at the 10th position in antisense siRNA were most pr

SUBMITTER: Cedden D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12039203 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature