Production of RNA hairpins and viral-like particles by the Baculovirus expression vector system

RNA interference (RNAi) technology is considered as a promising approach for insect pest management that already has been applied successfully for the control of sensitive coleopteran species. However, for RNAi to become applicable to the majority of insects, much larger research efforts are required to define the pathways that can be used for efficient delivery of the dsRNA effector molecules into the targeted cells. In our research, we have considered the use of viral-like particles that encapsulate dsRNA as a new approach for the enhanced uptake of RNAi triggers by the gut epithelium through feeding.
To achieve this, the baculovirus expression vector system (BEVS) was used to evaluate the expression of specific RNA hairpins which also included the assessment of several interventions that could increase dsRNA production, such as the co-expression of dsRNA-binding proteins and the knockdown of dicer-2. In parallel, successful production of viral-like particles (VLPs) that are based on the dsRNA virus Cypovirus (that infects lepidopteran insects) was achieved. Future studies will focus on the efficiency of uptake of different types of VLPs (based on different capsid protein composition) by the gut epithelium and the encapsulation of specific dsRNAs by the VLPs during co-expression by the BEVS.