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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Ames, Iowa » Corn Insects and Crop Genetics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #328586
Research Project: Managing Insects in the Corn Agro-Ecosystem

Location: Corn Insects and Crop Genetics Research

Title: Dissipation of double-stranded RNA in aquatic microcosms

Author
item VURTICE, ALBRIGHT - Iowa State University
item WONG, COLIN - Iowa State University
item Hellmich Ii, Richard
item COATS, JOEL - Iowa State University

Submitted to: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/8/2016
Publication Date: 11/7/2016
Citation: Vurtice, A., Wong, C., Hellmich II, R.L., Coats, J. 2016. Dissipation of double-stranded RNA in aquatic microcosms. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 36(5):1249–1253. https://doi:10.1002/etc.3648.

Interpretive Summary: RNA interference (RNAi) represents the next wave of pest management technologies. RNAi is initiated by double-stranded RNAs (dsRNA) that are ingested by the target pest and cleaved into small-interfering RNAs that silence a molecular target in the pest. The environmental fate of a non-bioactive dsRNA, representative of future insecticidal dsRNAs, was determined in aquatic microcosms. The dsRNA was rapidly degraded in all three microcosms, and was undetectable after 96 hr. Additionally, partitioning of the dsRNA was not a major factor in the dissipation of dsRNA from water. Therefore, it can be expected that dsRNA will not persist in aquatic environments, and its use in agricultural settings should have little environmental impact. This information is useful to scientists and regulators interested in evaluating potential ecological risks of a new pest control technology.

Technical Abstract: RNA interference (RNAi) represents the next wave of pest management technologies. RNAi is initiated by double-stranded RNAs (dsRNA) that are ingested by the target pest and cleaved into small-interfering RNAs that silence a molecular target in the pest. Similar to Cry proteins, dsRNAs are being developed to be deployed as stand-alone sprays and plant-incorporated protectants in transgenic crops. However, before these products can be approved for commercial use, the environmental fate and effects of dsRNA must be studied. In this study, a non-bioactive dsRNA was applied to the water phase of a three water and sediment microcosms. Dissipation of dsRNA in water and partitioning into the sediment was determined. The dsRNA rapidly dissipated in the water phase and was below the limit of quantification after 96 hrs. Half-lives of the dsRNA in water were calculated to be 56-72 hr. Partitioning into the sediment was not a major factor in the dissipation of dsRNA. This information is useful to scientists and regulators interested in evaluating potential ecological risks of a new pest control technology.