Draft:Oligonucleotide insecticides

The equal sign between short (11-18 nt long) unmodified DNA oligonucleotides and contact insecticides was first established on the sponge moth Lymantria dispar by Crimean molecular geneticist Oberemok V.V. in 2008. By the beginning of 2008, there was no data in the world literature on the possibility of using RNase H-dependent antisense DNA oligonucleotides as contact DNA insecticides for insect pest control. Generally, insect pest rRNAs serve as targets for them.

Oligonucleotide insecticides represent antisense DNA technology and act through DNA containment mechanism that consists of 2 steps: at first step, antisense DNA oligonucleotide complementarily interacts with target rRNA (in other words, ‘arrests’ target rRNA) and blocks normal functioning of ribosomes; at second step, RNase H cleaves target rRNA and substantial decrease in its concentration occurs.

Today, oligonucleotide insecticides (DNA insecticides) is the only biotechnology that uses short unmodified antisense DNA oligonucleotides in plant protection. According to the authors, the use of DNA insecticides, as next-generation class of insecticides, can reduce the concentration of modern chemical insecticides (organic xenobiotics) in ecosystems. Antisense DNA technology is very efficient eco-friendly platform against hemipteran insect pests, and also is moderately effective against lepidopterans.