Perspectives of RNAi, CUADb and CRISPR/Cas as Innovative Antisense Technologies for Insect Pest Control: From Discovery to Practice

Pest management is undergoing a transformative shift with the development of the cutting-edge antisense technologies: RNA interference (RNAi), contact unmodified antisense DNA biotechnology (CUADb), and the CRISPR-associated proteins (CRISPR/Cas). These approaches function by facilitating sequence-s...

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Main Authors: Hemant Kumar, Nikita Gal’chinsky, Verma Sweta, Nikita Negi, Roman Filatov, Anamika Chandel, Jamin Ali, Vol Oberemok, Kate Laikova
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Insects
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/16/7/746
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author Hemant Kumar
Nikita Gal’chinsky
Verma Sweta
Nikita Negi
Roman Filatov
Anamika Chandel
Jamin Ali
Vol Oberemok
Kate Laikova
author_facet Hemant Kumar
Nikita Gal’chinsky
Verma Sweta
Nikita Negi
Roman Filatov
Anamika Chandel
Jamin Ali
Vol Oberemok
Kate Laikova
author_sort Hemant Kumar
collection DOAJ
description Pest management is undergoing a transformative shift with the development of the cutting-edge antisense technologies: RNA interference (RNAi), contact unmodified antisense DNA biotechnology (CUADb), and the CRISPR-associated proteins (CRISPR/Cas). These approaches function by facilitating sequence-specific pairing of nucleic acids followed by nuclease-mediated cleavage, offering exceptional precision for targeted pest control. While RNA-guided mechanisms such as RNAi and CRISPR/Cas were initially characterized in non-insect systems, primarily as innate defenses against viral infections, the DNA-guided CUADb pathway was first identified in insect pests as a functional pest control strategy. Its broader role in ribosomal RNA (rRNA) biogenesis was recognized later. Together, these discoveries have revealed an entirely new dimension of gene regulation, with profound implications for sustainable pest management. Despite sharing a common principle of sequence-specific targeting RNAi, CUADb, and CRISPR/Cas differ in several key aspects, including their mechanisms of action, target specificity, and applicability. Rather than serving as universal solutions, each technology is likely to be optimally effective against specific pest groups. Moreover, these technologies allow for rapid adaptation of control strategies to overcome target-site resistance, ensuring long-term efficacy. This review summarizes the core functional characteristics, potential applications, and current limitations of each antisense technology, emphasizing their complementary roles in advancing environmentally sustainable pest control. By integrating foundational biological discoveries with applied innovations, this work provides a new perspectives on incorporating antisense-based strategies into next-generation integrated pest management systems.
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spelling doaj-art-30d8314665524897a444deebb4a8a3b12025-08-20T03:08:09ZengMDPI AGInsects2075-44502025-07-0116774610.3390/insects16070746Perspectives of RNAi, CUADb and CRISPR/Cas as Innovative Antisense Technologies for Insect Pest Control: From Discovery to PracticeHemant Kumar0Nikita Gal’chinsky1Verma Sweta2Nikita Negi3Roman Filatov4Anamika Chandel5Jamin Ali6Vol Oberemok7Kate Laikova8Department of Entomology, Agriculture College, Garhwa, Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi 834006, IndiaDepartment of General Biology and Genetics, V.I. Vernadsky Crimean Federal University, 295007 Simferopol, RussiaDivision of Entomology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi 110012, IndiaDivision of Genomic Resources, National Bureau of Agricultural Insect Resources, Bengaluru 560024, IndiaDepartment of General Biology and Genetics, V.I. Vernadsky Crimean Federal University, 295007 Simferopol, RussiaDivision of Vegetable Sciences, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi 110012, IndiaCollege of Plant Protection, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, ChinaDepartment of General Biology and Genetics, V.I. Vernadsky Crimean Federal University, 295007 Simferopol, RussiaDepartment of General Biology and Genetics, V.I. Vernadsky Crimean Federal University, 295007 Simferopol, RussiaPest management is undergoing a transformative shift with the development of the cutting-edge antisense technologies: RNA interference (RNAi), contact unmodified antisense DNA biotechnology (CUADb), and the CRISPR-associated proteins (CRISPR/Cas). These approaches function by facilitating sequence-specific pairing of nucleic acids followed by nuclease-mediated cleavage, offering exceptional precision for targeted pest control. While RNA-guided mechanisms such as RNAi and CRISPR/Cas were initially characterized in non-insect systems, primarily as innate defenses against viral infections, the DNA-guided CUADb pathway was first identified in insect pests as a functional pest control strategy. Its broader role in ribosomal RNA (rRNA) biogenesis was recognized later. Together, these discoveries have revealed an entirely new dimension of gene regulation, with profound implications for sustainable pest management. Despite sharing a common principle of sequence-specific targeting RNAi, CUADb, and CRISPR/Cas differ in several key aspects, including their mechanisms of action, target specificity, and applicability. Rather than serving as universal solutions, each technology is likely to be optimally effective against specific pest groups. Moreover, these technologies allow for rapid adaptation of control strategies to overcome target-site resistance, ensuring long-term efficacy. This review summarizes the core functional characteristics, potential applications, and current limitations of each antisense technology, emphasizing their complementary roles in advancing environmentally sustainable pest control. By integrating foundational biological discoveries with applied innovations, this work provides a new perspectives on incorporating antisense-based strategies into next-generation integrated pest management systems.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/16/7/746RNAiCUADbCRISPR/Casantisense technologiesinsect pest control
spellingShingle Hemant Kumar
Nikita Gal’chinsky
Verma Sweta
Nikita Negi
Roman Filatov
Anamika Chandel
Jamin Ali
Vol Oberemok
Kate Laikova
Perspectives of RNAi, CUADb and CRISPR/Cas as Innovative Antisense Technologies for Insect Pest Control: From Discovery to Practice
Insects
RNAi
CUADb
CRISPR/Cas
antisense technologies
insect pest control
title Perspectives of RNAi, CUADb and CRISPR/Cas as Innovative Antisense Technologies for Insect Pest Control: From Discovery to Practice
title_full Perspectives of RNAi, CUADb and CRISPR/Cas as Innovative Antisense Technologies for Insect Pest Control: From Discovery to Practice
title_fullStr Perspectives of RNAi, CUADb and CRISPR/Cas as Innovative Antisense Technologies for Insect Pest Control: From Discovery to Practice
title_full_unstemmed Perspectives of RNAi, CUADb and CRISPR/Cas as Innovative Antisense Technologies for Insect Pest Control: From Discovery to Practice
title_short Perspectives of RNAi, CUADb and CRISPR/Cas as Innovative Antisense Technologies for Insect Pest Control: From Discovery to Practice
title_sort perspectives of rnai cuadb and crispr cas as innovative antisense technologies for insect pest control from discovery to practice
topic RNAi
CUADb
CRISPR/Cas
antisense technologies
insect pest control
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/16/7/746
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