Applications and challenges of dsRNA-mediated RNAi in aquaculture

Aquaculture plays a vital role in the global food supply but continues to face considerable challenges, including frequent disease outbreaks, low production efficiency, and environmental pollution. Recently, RNA interference (RNAi) technology has gained attention in aquaculture. Double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)-mediated RNAi can effectively regulate gene expression and has been utilized not only in functional genomics research but also shows considerable potential in disease control and production optimization. To enhance dsRNA delivery efficiency, various systems, such as microinjection and microbial vectors, have been developed. However, the choice of delivery method must be tailored to environmental conditions and practical requirements. We present a comprehensive overview of the application of dsRNA-mediated RNAi for both disease control and productivity enhancement in aquaculture. In terms of disease control, RNAi has been effectively used to combat pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, and parasites, thereby improving survival. Regarding productivity, RNAi offers promising potential to enhance growth and weight gain in aquatic animals by silencing muscle growth-inhibitory factors and enabling sex-controlled breeding through induced sex reversal, thereby substantially increasing economic efficiency. Despite these advances, challenges such as delivery efficiency, molecular stability, and off-target effects remain barriers to practical RNAi application. Effective implementation of dsRNA-mediated RNAi in aquaculture requires the optimization of dosage and delivery strategies, in-depth investigation into the uptake mechanisms of exogenous dsRNA, and the resolution of technical constraints to facilitate its transition from laboratory settings to large-scale commercial applications.