A putative endonuclease reduces the efficiency of oral RNA interference in Nilaparvata lugens

Abstract BACKGROUND The RNA interference (RNAi) efficiency of double‐stranded RNA (dsRNA) delivery to insects by various methods is different and the reduced efficacy of feeding dsRNA is partly due to the presence of DNA/RNA non‐specific endonuclease in the insect gut. However, the mechanism leading to the low RNAi efficiency of Nilaparvata lugens by feeding remains elusive. RESULTS In this study, we identified a putatively DNA/RNA non‐specific endonuclease gene in the N . lugens genome database that was highly expressed in the first nymphal instar and the midgut. Different expression levels of NldsRNase after feeding and injection suggested that NldsRNase might interfere with oral RNAi in N . lugens . A co‐delivery RNAi strategy further revealed that the presence of NldsRNase reduces RNAi efficiency. In vitro dsRNA degradation experiments also showed that the stability of dsRNA was higher in a gut mixture from nymphs injected with ds NldsRNase . These results support the idea that the low oral RNAi response observed in N . lugens is likely due to the presence of NldsRNase . CONCLUSIONS Our study provides insight into the differences in RNAi response between the injection and feeding of dsRNA in N . lugens and sheds light on the mechanisms underlying the reduced efficacy of RNAi via feeding. These findings may help to inform the development of more‐effective RNAi‐based strategies controlling N . lugens and other insect pests. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.