Institutional Publications

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Author: search.filters.author.Dixit, Sameer

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    Identification of novel target genes for RNAi mediated management of the pest, Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda, J. E. Smith)
    (Elsevier B.V., 2025) Bera, Paramita; Suby, S.B.; Dixit, Sameer; Vijayan, Vishakh; Kumar, Naveen; Sekhar, J.C.; Vadassery, Jyothilakshmi
    RNA interference (RNAi) of vital insect genes is a potential tool for targeted pest management. However, the selection of the right target genes and its dsRNA delivery method is also a challenge because the RNAi efficacy is known to vary among insect species. Fall Armyworm (FAW; Spodoptera frugiperda) is a polyphagous generalist insect pest that can feed on more than 100 plant species, with a strong preference for maize. In the present study, we evaluated the RNAi efficiency of three vital genes coding for Coatomer Subunit alpha (COPIα), Coatomer Subunit beta (COPIβ) and Glutathione-S-transferase U1 (GSTU1) as potential targets for managing FAW. Real-time PCR analysis showed that the target genes' expression level reduced to 75–80% in FAW larvae, after their continuous oral delivery through diet for 8 days. It also caused significant mortality in larvae (40–50%) and pupae (40–62%), and resulted in deformed intermediates (28–38%) and adults (25–40%). It also affected reproduction as evidenced by an approximately 50% reduction in oviposition. Moreover, exogenous application of dsRNA in maize leaves resulted in significant feeding deterrence by FAW larvae, which enhanced the frequency of cannibalism. The impact of target genes’ dsRNA on the biology and behaviour of FAW suggests their insecticidal potential. Thus, the current study reveals the novel target genes and their utility in RNA based pesticides for sustainable management of FAW.
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    Plant protease inhibitors: Biological roles and applications in plant stress tolerance
    (Elsevier B.V., 2024) Pawar, Mahendra; Dixit, Sameer; Vadassery, Jyothilakshmi
    Plants have evolved a plethora of defense mechanisms to protect themselves against various biotic and abiotic stresses. Plants are in a constant evolutionary arms race with their attacking insect herbivores and pathogens over a long period of time. Plants when attacked by insects or pathogens use different defense mechanism that involves calcium-signaling, production of reactive oxygen species, phytohormones, miRNAs, secondary metabolites, and defense proteins. The production of protease inhibitors is one such mechanism that contributes to plant defense by severely reducing the growth and development of phytopathogens. Proteases are proteolytic proteins that are necessary for plants to carry out important functions, and the proteolytic activity of proteases needs to be regulated in a controlled manner. Plant protease inhibitors are a family of small protein/peptide/amino acid derivatives that are involved in important biological processes of plants including growth, development, and defense against pests and pathogens (Polya, 2003; Van Der Hoorn, 2008).
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    Cas variants increased the dimension of the CRISPR tool kit
    (John Wiley & Sons, 2024) Dixit, Sameer; Shukla, Akanchha; Pawar, Mahendra; Vadassery, Jyothilakshmi
    CRISPR technology shows promising developments in multiple areas of biological sciences. It is a developing technology and continuously evolving day by day. Cas proteins, an integral component of CRISPR technology, has enormous scope for new discoveries and reengineering. It can enhance new dimensions in CRISPR tool kit. In this chapter, we systematically explain the classification of CRISPR-Cas system. We separately compiled applicability of different CRISPR-Cas system. In the end, we discussed about the advancement and reengineering of available CRISPR-Cas systems.