Molecular Entomology 2024, Vol.15, No.2, 52-60 http://emtoscipublisher.com/index.php/me 52 Research Insight Open Access The Role of Genetic Engineering in Enhancing Sugarcane Resistance to Insect Pests ZhenLi Hainan Institute of Biotechnology, Haikou, 570206, Hainan, China Corresponding email: zhen.li@hibio.org Molecular Entomology, 2024, Vol.15, No.2 doi: 10.5376/me.2024.15.0007 Received: 05 Mar., 2024 Accepted: 06 Apr., 2024 Published: 17 Apr., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Li, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Li Z., 2024, The role of genetic engineering in enhancing sugarcane resistance to insect pests, Molecular Entomology, 15(2): 52-60 (doi: 10.5376/me.2024.15.0007) Abstract Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) is a vital crop for sugar production globally, yet it faces significant yield losses due to insect pest attacks. Traditional breeding methods have struggled to enhance pest resistance due to the complex genetic makeup of sugarcane and the absence of inherent resistance genes. Genetic engineering has emerged as a promising alternative, enabling the introduction of genes that confer resistance to pests. This study explores various genetic engineering strategies employed to enhance sugarcane resistance to insect pests. Key approaches include the overexpression of cry proteins, Vegetative Insecticidal Proteins (VIP), lectins, and Proteinase Inhibitors (PI), as well as the application of advanced biotechnological tools such as Host-Induced Gene Silencing (HIGS) and CRISPR/Cas9. This study also discusses the integration of multiple resistance genes, such as Cry1Ab and EPSPS, and their impact on pest resistance and agronomic traits. The findings highlight the potential of genetic engineering to develop transgenic sugarcane lines with robust resistance to insect pests, thereby contributing to sustainable sugarcane production. Keywords Genetic engineering; Sugarcane; Insect pest resistance; transgenic plants; CRISPR/Cas9 1 Introduction Sugarcane (Saccharumspp.) is a vital crop globally, contributing approximately 80% of the world's sugar and a significant portion of biofuel production (Budeguer et al., 2021). It is cultivated extensively in tropical and subtropical regions, where it serves as a primary source of income for millions of farmers and plays a crucial role in the economies of many countries (Verma et al., 2022). The demand for sugar and its by-products continues to rise, necessitating sustainable improvements in sugarcane yield and quality (Narayan et al., 2020). Despite its economic importance, sugarcane cultivation faces significant challenges, particularly from insect pests. Insect attacks, such as those from stem borers (e.g., Diatraea saccharalis) and the fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda), lead to substantial yield losses and reductions in sucrose content (Li et al., 2022). Traditional pest management strategies, including the use of insecticides and integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques, have had limited success and often pose environmental and health risks (Narayan et al., 2020; Iqbal et al., 2021). The lack of naturally resistant germplasms further complicates efforts to mitigate these pest-related challenges (Zhou et al., 2018). Given the limitations of conventional breeding and pest management approaches, there is a pressing need for advanced resistance mechanisms to protect sugarcane crops. Genetic engineering offers a promising solution by enabling the introduction of specific resistance genes into sugarcane varieties. Techniques such as the overexpression of cry proteins, Vegetative Insecticidal Proteins (VIP), lectins, and Proteinase Inhibitors (PI) have shown potential in enhancing insect resistance (Wang et al., 2017; Iqbal et al., 2021). Additionally, modern biotechnological tools like host-induced gene silencing (HIGS) and CRISPR/Cas9 provide innovative avenues for developing sustainable pest-resistant sugarcane cultivars. This study explores the role of genetic engineering in enhancing insect resistance in sugarcane by examining various gene modification strategies and their effectiveness, while providing a comprehensive understanding of the current progress and future prospects in this field. The study also delves into the integration of exogenous genes (such as cry1Ac) and their synergistic effects with endogenous stress-related genes, as well as the practical
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