RNAi-based functional genomics in Tribolium castaneum and possible application for controlling insect pests

RNA interference or RNAi has been observed in eukaryotes and plays a critical role not only in messenger RNA degradation but also in fine-tuning of gene activation, transcription and translation. In insects, double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)-mediated gene silencing is a simple and powerful reverse genetics tool for analyzing gene functions in both model and non-model organisms. The red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum, is an excellent genetic model for pest insect species. Since the completion of the genome sequence of T. castaneum, numerous studies of gene function have been reported. Here we review recent RNAi-based functional genomics research and systemic RNAi in T. castaneum, and we discuss potential applications of RNAi technology to pest insect control.