Characterization of an adulticidal and larvicidal interfering RNA pesticide that targets a conserved sequence in mosquito G protein-coupled dopamine 1 receptor genes.

ABSTRACT: G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), key regulators of a variety of critical biological processes, are attractive targets for insecticide development. Given the importance of these receptors in many organisms, including humans, it is critical that novel pesticides directed against GPCRs are designed to be species-specific. Here, we present characterization of an interfering RNA pesticide (IRP) targeting the mosquito GPCR-encoding dopamine 1 receptor (dop1) genes. A small interfering RNA corresponding to dop1 was identified in a screen for IRPs that kill Aedes aegypti during both the adult and larval stages. The 25 bp sequence targeted by this IRP is conserved in the dop1 genes of multiple mosquito species, but not in non-target organisms, indicating that it could function as a biorational

SUBMITTER: Hapairai LK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8744133 | biostudies-literature | 2020 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature