NPFR regulates the synthesis and metabolism of lipids and glycogen via AMPK: Novel targets for efficient corn borer management

RNA biopesticides are regarded as the third revolution in the history of pesticides due to their extensive ad-vantages such as precision, high efficiency, green, pollution-free, etc. In the current study, two target genes encoding neuropeptide F receptor (NPFR) and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), which are essential for insect feeding, cellular energy homeostasis and nutrient availability, were selected to design RNA pesticides. We achieved high RNA interference (RNAi) efficiency of npfr via a star polycation nanocarrier-based double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) delivery system. The food consumption of Ostrinia furnacalis is largely suppressed, which leads to a good protective effect on corn leaves. We determined the mechanism of the above genes. NPFR binds to the G & alpha; protein and activates the intracellular second messengers cAMP and Ca2+, which in turn phosphorylate AMPK to regulate the synthesis and metabolism of lipids and glycogen. We then adopted a highly efficient bacteria-based expression system for the production of large amounts of dsRNA segments targeting npfr and ampk simulta-neously and subsequently complexed them with nanocarriers to develop a novel dual-target RNA pesticide. Our RNA nanopesticide dramatically inhibits larval feeding, growth and development, and its controlling effect is even better than that of the widely used anti-feedant azadirachtin.

Automated summary

RNA biopesticides are seen as the third revolution in pesticides history due to their precision, efficiency, and eco-friendliness. Through a star polycation nanocarrier-based delivery system, high RNA interference efficiency of npfr was achieved. A highly efficient bacteria-based expression system was used to produce large amounts of dsRNA segments targeting npfr and ampk simultaneously, which were then complexed with nanocarriers to develop a dual-target RNA pesticide. It significantly inhibits larval feeding, growth, and development, outperforming the widely-used azadirachtin.