Exposé
RNAi-based biopesticides: from gene silencing to biosafety
Zhang, Wei; Toprak, Umut; Mohamed, Amr; Chakkalakkal, George Joseph; Eleftherianos, Ioannis; Smagghe, Guy
publication en ligne: Jul 28, 2026
manuscrit accepté: Mar 30, 2026
révision final du manuscrit reçu: Jan 24, 2026
révision du manuscrit demandée: Sep 1, 2025
manuscrit reçu: Jul 14, 2025
Open Access (article peut être télechargé gratuitement)
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi)-based biopesticides represent a cutting-edge, third-generation pest management strategy characterized by gene-silencing specificity, rapid environmental degradation, and minimal toxicity to non-target organisms (NTOs). Their mechanism, based on a sequence-specific messenger RNA (mRNA) degradation via the Dicer-RISC complex, enables high precision in targeting pest species while reducing collateral impacts. Recent studies highlight that unformulated (naked) double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) degrades swiftly in environmental matrices, reinforcing its low persistence. However, potential off-target effects in non-target species with high sequence homology remain a concern, which can be mitigated through advanced bioinformatic filtering and tailored dsRNA design, being an active area of innovation. Human and animal safety assessments confirm that dsRNA is rapidly digested and does not bioaccumulate, supporting low dietary risk evaluations by regulators. Emerging challenges include the evolution of target pest resistance under repeated exposure, which has sparked interest in strategies like gene stacking and rotational RNAi applications to sustain efficacy. Nanoformulations have become a research hotspot, offering enhanced dsRNA stability and cellular uptake, though their safety and environmental profiles remain formulation-specific and require further scrutiny. Several RNAi products have received regulatory approval (e.g., by EPA, EFSA, FSANZ), signaling growing international acceptance. These approvals emphasize the importance of case-by-case risk assessments and global harmonization of regulatory frameworks. This review synthesizes current findings and highlights innovations in RNAi biopesticide development, safety, and regulation, offering critical insights for the creation of robust, species-specific, and sustainable pest management systems.
Mots-clefs
RNA interference (RNAi) • non-target organism (NTO) • tiered risk assessment • dsRNA nanoformulations • off-target effects • sequence specificity • environmental fate; • trophic transfer