Functionally Modified\nGraphene Oxide as an Alternative\nNanovehicle for Enhanced dsRNA Delivery in Improving RNAi-Based Insect\nPest Control

RNA interference (RNAi) has shown substantial promise\nas a sustainable\npest management solution. However, the efficacy of RNAi-based insecticides\nheavily relies on advanced nanocarrier-mediated delivery systems.\nIn this study, we modified raw graphene oxide into positively charged\nnanocarriers (GONs) tailored to bind with double-stranded RNA (dsRNA).\nThe resulting GONs@dsRNA complexes demonstrated a small particle size\n(106 nm) and maintained stability under various conditions, including\ninsect gut extracts, extreme pH, and extreme temperature. Furthermore,\nGONs efficiently transported dsRNA molecules into Drosophila S2 cells\nand Lepidoptera Sf9 cells, leading to an enhanced target transcript\nknockdown. Targeting the vacuolar ATPase gene, <i>vha26</i>, induced significant mortality and target transcript knockdown in D. suzukii adults but not in S. exigua. Finally, GONs@dsRNA complexes exhibited negligible cytotoxicity\nat both the cellular and organismal levels. This study demonstrates\nthe potential of GONs as a biosafe nanovehicle for efficient dsRNA\ndelivery into insects, presenting an alternative strategy for advancing\nRNAi applications in fundamental studies and pest control.