Chitosan, Carbon Quantum Dot, and Silica Nanoparticle Mediated dsRNA Delivery for Gene Silencing in Aedes aegypti: A Comparative Analysis

ACS Appl Mater Interfaces. 2015 Sep 9;7(35):19530-5. doi: 10.1021/acsami.5b05232. Epub 2015 Aug 25.

Abstract

In spite of devastating impact of mosquito borne pathogens on humans, widespread resistance to chemical insecticides and environmental concerns from residual toxicity limit mosquito control strategies. We tested three nanoparticles, chitosan, carbon quantum dot (CQD), and silica complexed with dsRNA, to target two mosquito genes (SNF7 and SRC) for controlling Aedes aegypti larvae. Relative mRNA levels were quantified using qRT-PCR to evaluate knockdown efficiency in nanoparticle-dsRNA treated larvae. The knockdown efficiency of target genes correlated with dsRNA mediated larval mortality. Among the three nanoparticles tested, CQD was the most efficient carrier for dsRNA retention, delivery, and thereby causing gene silencing and mortality in Ae. aegypti.

Keywords: CQD; Chitosan; RNAi; SNF7; SRC; dsRNA; mosquito.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Letter
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Aedes / genetics*
  • Aedes / growth & development
  • Aedes / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Carbon / chemistry
  • Chitosan / chemistry*
  • Endosomal Sorting Complexes Required for Transport / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Endosomal Sorting Complexes Required for Transport / genetics
  • Endosomal Sorting Complexes Required for Transport / metabolism
  • Gene Silencing*
  • Insect Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Insect Proteins / genetics
  • Insect Proteins / metabolism
  • Larva / genetics
  • Larva / metabolism
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Nanoparticles / ultrastructure
  • Quantum Dots / chemistry*
  • Quantum Dots / ultrastructure
  • RNA, Double-Stranded / chemistry
  • RNA, Double-Stranded / metabolism*
  • RNA, Long Noncoding / antagonists & inhibitors
  • RNA, Long Noncoding / genetics
  • RNA, Long Noncoding / metabolism
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Silicon Dioxide / chemistry

Substances

  • Endosomal Sorting Complexes Required for Transport
  • Insect Proteins
  • RNA, Double-Stranded
  • RNA, Long Noncoding
  • RNA, Messenger
  • steroid receptor RNA activator
  • Carbon
  • Silicon Dioxide
  • Chitosan