Trans-kingdom RNAs and their fates in recipient cells: advances, utilization, and perspectives

Jian-Hua Zhao; Tao Zhang; Qing-Yan Liu; Hui-Shan Guo

doi:10.1016/j.xplc.2021.100167

Trans-kingdom RNAs and their fates in recipient cells: advances, utilization, and perspectives

Plant Commun. 2021 Feb 10;2(2):100167. doi: 10.1016/j.xplc.2021.100167. eCollection 2021 Mar 8.

Authors

Jian-Hua Zhao¹, Tao Zhang¹, Qing-Yan Liu¹, Hui-Shan Guo¹

Affiliation

¹ State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.

Abstract

The phenomenon and potential mechanisms of trans-kingdom RNA silencing (or RNA interference, RNAi) are among the most exciting topics in science today. Based on trans-kingdom RNAi, host-induced gene silencing (HIGS) has been widely applied to create crops with resistance to various pests and pathogens, overcoming the limitations of resistant cultivars. However, a lack of transformation technology in many crops limits the application of HIGS. Here, we describe the various fates of trans-kingdom RNAs in recipient organisms. Based on the assumption that small RNAs can be transferred between the host and its microbiome or among microbiome members, we propose a possible alternative strategy for plant protection against pathogens without the need for crop genetic modification.

Keywords: HIGS; RNAi; microbiome; sRNA; trans-kingdom RNA.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Microbiota*
Plant Cells / metabolism*
RNA Interference*
RNA, Bacterial / genetics*
RNA, Fungal / analysis*
RNA, Plant / genetics*

Substances

RNA, Bacterial
RNA, Fungal
RNA, Plant