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Jin Y, Zhao JH, Zhao P, Zhang T, Wang S, Guo HS. A fungal milRNA mediates epigenetic repression of a virulence gene in Verticillium dahliae. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2020; 374:20180309. [PMID: 30967013 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2018.0309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
MiRNAs in animals and plants play crucial roles in diverse developmental processes under both normal and stress conditions. miRNA-like small RNAs (milRNAs) identified in some fungi remain functionally uncharacterized. Here, we identified a number of milRNAs in Verticillium dahliae, a soil-borne fungal pathogen responsible for devastating wilt diseases in many crops. Accumulation of a V. dahliae milRNA1, named VdmilR1, was detected by RNA gel blotting. We show that the precursor gene VdMILR1 is transcribed by RNA polymerase II and is able to produce the mature VdmilR1, in a process independent of V. dahliae DCL (Dicer-like) and AGO (Argonaute) proteins. We found that an RNaseIII domain-containing protein, VdR3, is essential for V. dahliae and participates in VdmilR1 biogenesis. VdmilR1 targets a hypothetical protein-coding gene, VdHy1, at the 3'UTR for transcriptional repression through increased histone H3K9 methylation of VdHy1. Pathogenicity analysis reveals that VdHy1 is essential for fungal virulence. Together with the time difference in the expression patterns of VdmilR1 and VdHy1 during fungal infection in cotton plants, our findings identify a novel milRNA, VdmilR1, in V. dahliae synthesized by a noncanonical pathway that plays a regulatory role in pathogenicity and uncover an epigenetic mechanism for VdmilR1 in regulating a virulence target gene. This article is part of the theme issue 'Biotic signalling sheds light on smart pest management'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Jin
- 1 State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100101 , People's Republic of China
| | - Jian-Hua Zhao
- 1 State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100101 , People's Republic of China
| | - Pan Zhao
- 1 State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100101 , People's Republic of China
| | - Tao Zhang
- 1 State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100101 , People's Republic of China
| | - Sheng Wang
- 1 State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100101 , People's Republic of China.,2 College of Life Sciences, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100049 , People's Republic of China
| | - Hui-Shan Guo
- 1 State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100101 , People's Republic of China.,2 College of Life Sciences, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100049 , People's Republic of China
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Wei C, Qin T, Li Y, Wang W, Dong T, Wang Q. Host-induced gene silencing of the acetolactate synthases VdILV2 and VdILV6 confers resistance to Verticillium wilt in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2020; 524:392-397. [PMID: 32005518 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2020.01.126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Cotton Verticillium wilt caused by Verticillium dahliae (V. dahliae) is one of the most destructive fungal diseases and is difficult to control. However, resistant germplasm resources are scarce in cotton. Many studies have shown that host-induced gene silencing (HIGS) is a practical and effective technology in crop disease prevention by silencing virulence genes of pathogens. Acetolactate synthase (ALS) contains a catalytic subunit ILV2 and a regulatory subunit ILV6, which catalyzes the first common step reaction in branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) biosynthesis. We identified two acetolactate synthases, VdILV2 and VdILV6, which are homologs of ILV2 and ILV6, respectively, in Magnaporthe oryzae. To characterize the function of VdILV2 and VdILV6 in V. dahliae, we suppressed their expression in the strong pathogenic isolate Vd991 by using HIGS technology. VdILV2- or VdILV6-silenced V. dahliae had a dramatic reduction in pathogenicity. The results indicated that VdILV2 and VdILV6 are involved in the pathogenicity of V. dahliae. HIGS of VdILV2 or VdILV6 provides a novel fungicide target and an effective control to resist Verticillium wilt caused by V. dahliae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunyan Wei
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Modern Biological Breeding of Henan Province, Henan Key Laboratory Molecular Ecology and Germplasm Innovation of Cotton and Wheat, School of Life Science and Technology, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Henan, Xinxiang, 453003, China.
| | - Tengfei Qin
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Modern Biological Breeding of Henan Province, Henan Key Laboratory Molecular Ecology and Germplasm Innovation of Cotton and Wheat, School of Life Science and Technology, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Henan, Xinxiang, 453003, China.
| | - Yuqing Li
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Modern Biological Breeding of Henan Province, Henan Key Laboratory Molecular Ecology and Germplasm Innovation of Cotton and Wheat, School of Life Science and Technology, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Henan, Xinxiang, 453003, China.
| | - Weipeng Wang
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Modern Biological Breeding of Henan Province, Henan Key Laboratory Molecular Ecology and Germplasm Innovation of Cotton and Wheat, School of Life Science and Technology, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Henan, Xinxiang, 453003, China.
| | - Tao Dong
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Modern Biological Breeding of Henan Province, Henan Key Laboratory Molecular Ecology and Germplasm Innovation of Cotton and Wheat, School of Life Science and Technology, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Henan, Xinxiang, 453003, China.
| | - Qinglian Wang
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Modern Biological Breeding of Henan Province, Henan Key Laboratory Molecular Ecology and Germplasm Innovation of Cotton and Wheat, School of Life Science and Technology, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Henan, Xinxiang, 453003, China.
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Nerva L, Sandrini M, Gambino G, Chitarra W. Double-Stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) as a Sustainable Tool against Gray Mold ( Botrytis cinerea) in Grapevine: Effectiveness of Different Application Methods in an Open-Air Environment. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10020200. [PMID: 32013165 PMCID: PMC7072719 DOI: 10.3390/biom10020200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2019] [Revised: 01/12/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Grapevine is one of the most important and globally widespread fruit species, with a high impact on the economy of many countries but with an intense environmental effect. Therefore, new environmentally friendly defense strategies against fungal pathogens are needed for more sustainable agriculture. A novel emerging approach is spray-induced gene silencing (SIGS), which concerns the exogenous application of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) inducing enhanced plant resistance against fungal pathogens. Here, we tested the ability of SIGS to prevent and counteract infection of Botrytis cinerea, one of the most economically impacting pathogens of grapevine. In particular, we tested three independent approaches for dsRNA delivery into plants: (i) high pressure spraying of leaves; (ii) petiole adsorption of dsRNAs; (iii) postharvest spraying of bunches. We demonstrated that independently from the method of application, SIGS can reduce virulence of the fungus. Moreover, we also observed three different levels of efficacy depending on the method of application. Thus, the present data provide crucial information on the possibility to exploit SIGS as an alternative sustainable and ecofriendly strategy for grapevine pre- and postharvest protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Nerva
- Research Centre for Viticulture and Enology, Council for Agricultural Research and Economics (CREA-VE), Via XXVIII Aprile 26, 31015 Conegliano, Italy
- Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection, National Research Council (IPSP-CNR), Strada delle Cacce 73, 10135 Torino, Italy
- Correspondence: (L.N.); (W.C.); Tel.: +39-043-8456712 (L.N. & W.C.); Fax: +39-043-8450773 (L.N. & W.C.)
| | - Marco Sandrini
- Research Centre for Viticulture and Enology, Council for Agricultural Research and Economics (CREA-VE), Via XXVIII Aprile 26, 31015 Conegliano, Italy
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agroalimentari, Ambientali e Animali, Università degli Studi di Udine, Via delle Scienze 206, 33100 Udine, Italy
| | - Giorgio Gambino
- Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection, National Research Council (IPSP-CNR), Strada delle Cacce 73, 10135 Torino, Italy
| | - Walter Chitarra
- Research Centre for Viticulture and Enology, Council for Agricultural Research and Economics (CREA-VE), Via XXVIII Aprile 26, 31015 Conegliano, Italy
- Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection, National Research Council (IPSP-CNR), Strada delle Cacce 73, 10135 Torino, Italy
- Correspondence: (L.N.); (W.C.); Tel.: +39-043-8456712 (L.N. & W.C.); Fax: +39-043-8450773 (L.N. & W.C.)
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Su X, Lu G, Li X, Rehman L, Liu W, Sun G, Guo H, Wang G, Cheng H. Host-Induced Gene Silencing of an Adenylate Kinase Gene Involved in Fungal Energy Metabolism Improves Plant Resistance to Verticillium dahliae. Biomolecules 2020; 10:E127. [PMID: 31940882 PMCID: PMC7023357 DOI: 10.3390/biom10010127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2019] [Revised: 01/10/2020] [Accepted: 01/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Verticillium wilt, caused by the ascomycete fungus Verticillium dahliae (Vd), is a devastating disease of numerous plant species. However, the pathogenicity/virulence-related genes in this fungus, which may be potential targets for improving plant resistance, remain poorly elucidated. For the study of these genes in Vd, we used a well-established host-induced gene silencing (HIGS) approach and identified 16 candidate genes, including a putative adenylate kinase gene (VdAK). Transiently VdAK-silenced plants developed milder wilt symptoms than control plants did. VdAK-knockout mutants were more sensitive to abiotic stresses and had reduced germination and virulence on host plants. Transgenic Nicotiana benthamiana and Arabidopsis thaliana plants that overexpressed VdAK dsRNAs had improved Vd resistance than the wild-type. RT-qPCR results showed that VdAK was also crucial for energy metabolism. Importantly, in an analysis of total small RNAs from Vd strains isolated from the transgenic plants, a small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting VdAK was identified in transgenic N. benthamiana. Our results demonstrate that HIGS is a promising strategy for efficiently screening pathogenicity/virulence-related genes of Vd and that VdAK is a potential target to control this fungus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofeng Su
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China; (X.S.); (G.L.); (X.L.); (L.R.); (G.S.); (H.G.)
| | - Guoqing Lu
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China; (X.S.); (G.L.); (X.L.); (L.R.); (G.S.); (H.G.)
| | - Xiaokang Li
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China; (X.S.); (G.L.); (X.L.); (L.R.); (G.S.); (H.G.)
| | - Latifur Rehman
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China; (X.S.); (G.L.); (X.L.); (L.R.); (G.S.); (H.G.)
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 23561, Pakistan
| | - Wende Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China;
| | - Guoqing Sun
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China; (X.S.); (G.L.); (X.L.); (L.R.); (G.S.); (H.G.)
| | - Huiming Guo
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China; (X.S.); (G.L.); (X.L.); (L.R.); (G.S.); (H.G.)
| | - Guoliang Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China;
- Department of Plant Pathology, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Hongmei Cheng
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China; (X.S.); (G.L.); (X.L.); (L.R.); (G.S.); (H.G.)
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55
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Dou T, Shao X, Hu C, Liu S, Sheng O, Bi F, Deng G, Ding L, Li C, Dong T, Gao H, He W, Peng X, Zhang S, Huo H, Yang Q, Yi G. Host-induced gene silencing of Foc TR4 ERG6/11 genes exhibits superior resistance to Fusarium wilt of banana. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2020; 18:11-13. [PMID: 31254438 PMCID: PMC6920154 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.13204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2019] [Revised: 06/14/2019] [Accepted: 06/18/2019] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Tongxin Dou
- Institute of Fruit Tree ResearchGuangdong Academy of Agricultural SciencesKey Laboratory of South Subtropical Fruit Biology and Genetic Resource Utilization (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs)Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Fruit Tree ResearchGuangzhouChina
| | - Xiuhong Shao
- Horticulture and Landscape CollegeHunan Agricultural UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Chunhua Hu
- Institute of Fruit Tree ResearchGuangdong Academy of Agricultural SciencesKey Laboratory of South Subtropical Fruit Biology and Genetic Resource Utilization (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs)Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Fruit Tree ResearchGuangzhouChina
| | - Siwen Liu
- College of HorticultureShenyang Agricultural UniversityShenyangChina
| | - Ou Sheng
- Institute of Fruit Tree ResearchGuangdong Academy of Agricultural SciencesKey Laboratory of South Subtropical Fruit Biology and Genetic Resource Utilization (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs)Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Fruit Tree ResearchGuangzhouChina
| | - Fangcheng Bi
- Institute of Fruit Tree ResearchGuangdong Academy of Agricultural SciencesKey Laboratory of South Subtropical Fruit Biology and Genetic Resource Utilization (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs)Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Fruit Tree ResearchGuangzhouChina
| | - Guiming Deng
- Institute of Fruit Tree ResearchGuangdong Academy of Agricultural SciencesKey Laboratory of South Subtropical Fruit Biology and Genetic Resource Utilization (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs)Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Fruit Tree ResearchGuangzhouChina
| | - Lijie Ding
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro‐bioresourcesSouth China Agricultural UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Chunyu Li
- Institute of Fruit Tree ResearchGuangdong Academy of Agricultural SciencesKey Laboratory of South Subtropical Fruit Biology and Genetic Resource Utilization (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs)Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Fruit Tree ResearchGuangzhouChina
| | - Tao Dong
- Institute of Fruit Tree ResearchGuangdong Academy of Agricultural SciencesKey Laboratory of South Subtropical Fruit Biology and Genetic Resource Utilization (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs)Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Fruit Tree ResearchGuangzhouChina
| | - Huijun Gao
- Institute of Fruit Tree ResearchGuangdong Academy of Agricultural SciencesKey Laboratory of South Subtropical Fruit Biology and Genetic Resource Utilization (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs)Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Fruit Tree ResearchGuangzhouChina
| | - Weidi He
- Institute of Fruit Tree ResearchGuangdong Academy of Agricultural SciencesKey Laboratory of South Subtropical Fruit Biology and Genetic Resource Utilization (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs)Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Fruit Tree ResearchGuangzhouChina
| | - Xinxiang Peng
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro‐bioresourcesSouth China Agricultural UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Sheng Zhang
- Institute of BiotechnologyCornell UniversityIthacaNYUSA
| | - Heqiang Huo
- Department of Environmental HorticultureUniversity of FloridaApopkaFLUSA
| | - Qiaosong Yang
- Institute of Fruit Tree ResearchGuangdong Academy of Agricultural SciencesKey Laboratory of South Subtropical Fruit Biology and Genetic Resource Utilization (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs)Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Fruit Tree ResearchGuangzhouChina
| | - Ganjun Yi
- Institute of Fruit Tree ResearchGuangdong Academy of Agricultural SciencesKey Laboratory of South Subtropical Fruit Biology and Genetic Resource Utilization (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs)Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Fruit Tree ResearchGuangzhouChina
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56
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van Esse HP, Reuber TL, van der Does D. Genetic modification to improve disease resistance in crops. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2020; 225:70-86. [PMID: 31135961 PMCID: PMC6916320 DOI: 10.1111/nph.15967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2019] [Accepted: 05/08/2019] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Plant pathogens are a significant challenge in agriculture despite our best efforts to combat them. One of the most effective and sustainable ways to manage plant pathogens is to use genetic modification (GM) and genome editing, expanding the breeder's toolkit. For use in the field, these solutions must be efficacious, with no negative effect on plant agronomy, and deployed thoughtfully. They must also not introduce a potential allergen or toxin. Expensive regulation of biotech crops is prohibitive for local solutions. With 11-30% average global yield losses and greater local impacts, tackling plant pathogens is an ethical imperative. We need to increase world food production by at least 60% using the same amount of land, by 2050. The time to act is now and we cannot afford to ignore the new solutions that GM provides to manage plant pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- H. Peter van Esse
- 2Blades Foundation1630 Chicago AvenueEvanstonIL 60201USA
- The Sainsbury LaboratoryUniversity of East AngliaNorwich Research ParkNR4 7UHUK
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57
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Goodfellow S, Zhang D, Wang MB, Zhang R. Bacterium-Mediated RNA Interference: Potential Application in Plant Protection. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2019; 8:E572. [PMID: 31817412 PMCID: PMC6963952 DOI: 10.3390/plants8120572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Revised: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 11/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
RNAi has emerged as a promising tool for targeting agricultural pests and pathogens and could provide an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional means of control. However, the deployment of this technology is still limited by a lack of suitable exogenous- or externally applied delivery mechanisms. Numerous means of overcoming this limitation are being explored. One such method, bacterium-mediated RNA interference, or bmRNAi, has been explored in other systems and shows great potential for application to agriculture. Here, we review the current state of bmRNAi, examine the technical limitations and possible improvements, and discuss its potential applications in crop protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Goodfellow
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
- CSIRO Agriculture and Food, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Daai Zhang
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
- CSIRO Agriculture and Food, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Ming-Bo Wang
- CSIRO Agriculture and Food, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Ren Zhang
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
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58
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Xiong F, Liu M, Zhuo F, Yin H, Deng K, Feng S, Liu Y, Luo X, Feng L, Zhang S, Li Z, Ren M. Host-induced gene silencing of BcTOR in Botrytis cinerea enhances plant resistance to grey mould. MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY 2019; 20:1722-1739. [PMID: 31622007 PMCID: PMC6859489 DOI: 10.1111/mpp.12873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Botrytis cinerea is the causal agent of grey mould for more than 200 plant species, including economically important vegetables, fruits and crops, which leads to economic losses worldwide. Target of rapamycin (TOR) acts a master regulator to control cell growth and proliferation by integrating nutrient, energy and growth factors in eukaryotic species, but little is known about whether TOR can function as a practicable target in the control of plant fungal pathogens. Here, we characterize TOR signalling of B. cinerea in the regulation of growth and pathogenicity as well as its potential value in genetic engineering for crop protection by bioinformatics analysis, pharmacological assays, biochemistry and genetics approaches. The results show that conserved TOR signalling occurs, and a functional FK506-binding protein 12 kD (FKBP12) mediates the interaction between rapamycin and B. cinerea TOR (BcTOR). RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) analysis revealed that BcTOR displayed conserved functions, particularly in controlling growth and metabolism. Furthermore, pathogenicity assay showed that BcTOR inhibition efficiently reduces the infection of B. cinerea in plant leaves of Arabidopsis and potato or tomato fruits. Additionally, transgenic plants expressing double-stranded RNA of BcTOR through the host-induced gene silencing method could produce abundant small RNAs targeting BcTOR, and significantly block the occurrence of grey mould in potato and tomato. Taken together, our results suggest that BcTOR is an efficient target for genetic engineering in control of grey mould, and also a potential and promising target applied in the biocontrol of plant fungal pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangjie Xiong
- School of Life SciencesChongqing UniversityChongqing401331China
- Key Laboratory of Plant Hormone and Developmental Regulation of ChongqingChongqing401331China
| | - Mei Liu
- School of Life SciencesChongqing UniversityChongqing401331China
- Key Laboratory of Plant Hormone and Developmental Regulation of ChongqingChongqing401331China
| | - Fengping Zhuo
- School of Life SciencesChongqing UniversityChongqing401331China
- Key Laboratory of Plant Hormone and Developmental Regulation of ChongqingChongqing401331China
- School of Chemistry and Chemical EngineeringChongqing University of Science and TechnologyChongqing401331China
| | - Huan Yin
- School of Life SciencesChongqing UniversityChongqing401331China
- Key Laboratory of Plant Hormone and Developmental Regulation of ChongqingChongqing401331China
| | - Kexuan Deng
- School of Life SciencesChongqing UniversityChongqing401331China
- Key Laboratory of Plant Hormone and Developmental Regulation of ChongqingChongqing401331China
| | - Shun Feng
- School of Life SciencesChongqing UniversityChongqing401331China
- Key Laboratory of Plant Hormone and Developmental Regulation of ChongqingChongqing401331China
| | - Yudong Liu
- School of Life SciencesChongqing UniversityChongqing401331China
- Key Laboratory of Plant Hormone and Developmental Regulation of ChongqingChongqing401331China
| | - Xiumei Luo
- School of Life SciencesChongqing UniversityChongqing401331China
- Key Laboratory of Plant Hormone and Developmental Regulation of ChongqingChongqing401331China
| | - Li Feng
- School of Life SciencesChongqing UniversityChongqing401331China
- Key Laboratory of Plant Hormone and Developmental Regulation of ChongqingChongqing401331China
| | - Shumin Zhang
- School of Life SciencesChongqing UniversityChongqing401331China
- Key Laboratory of Plant Hormone and Developmental Regulation of ChongqingChongqing401331China
| | - Zhengguo Li
- School of Life SciencesChongqing UniversityChongqing401331China
- Key Laboratory of Plant Hormone and Developmental Regulation of ChongqingChongqing401331China
| | - Maozhi Ren
- School of Life SciencesChongqing UniversityChongqing401331China
- Key Laboratory of Plant Hormone and Developmental Regulation of ChongqingChongqing401331China
- Institute of Urban AgricultureChinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences/National Chengdu Agricultural Science and Technology CenterChengdu610000China
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59
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Gao F, Zhang BS, Zhao JH, Huang JF, Jia PS, Wang S, Zhang J, Zhou JM, Guo HS. Deacetylation of chitin oligomers increases virulence in soil-borne fungal pathogens. NATURE PLANTS 2019; 5:1167-1176. [PMID: 31636399 DOI: 10.1038/s41477-019-0527-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2019] [Accepted: 09/06/2019] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Soil-borne fungal pathogens that cause crop disease are major threats to agriculture worldwide. Here, we identified a secretory polysaccharide deacetylase (PDA1) from the soil-borne fungus Verticillium dahliae, the most notorious plant pathogen of the Verticillium genus, that facilitates virulence through direct deacetylation of chitin oligomers whose N-acetyl group contributes to host lysine motif (LysM)-containing receptor perception for ligand-triggered immunity. Polysaccharide deacetylases are widely present in fungi, bacteria, insects and marine invertebrates and have been reported to possess diverse functions in developmental processes rather than virulence. A phylogenetics analysis of more than 5,000 fungal proteins with conserved polysaccharide deacetylase domains showed that the V. dahliae PDA1-containing subtree includes a large number of proteins from the Verticillium genus as well as the Fusarium genus, another group of characterized soil-borne fungal pathogens, suggesting that soil-borne fungal pathogens have adopted chitin deacetylation as a major virulence strategy. We showed that a Fusarium PDA1 is required for virulence in cotton plants. This study reveals a substantial virulence function role of polysaccharide deacetylases in pathogenic fungi and demonstrates a subtle mechanism whereby deacetylation of chitin oligomers converts them to ligand-inactive chitosan, representing a common strategy of preventing chitin-triggered host immunity by soil-borne fungal pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Agriculture, Shihezi University, Shihezi, China
| | - Bo-Sen Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Agriculture, Shihezi University, Shihezi, China
| | - Jian-Hua Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jia-Feng Huang
- College of Agriculture, Shihezi University, Shihezi, China
- Key Laboratory at Universities of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region for Oasis Agricultural Pest Management and Plant Protection Resource Utilization, Shihezi, China
| | - Pei-Song Jia
- College of Agriculture, Shihezi University, Shihezi, China
- Key Laboratory at Universities of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region for Oasis Agricultural Pest Management and Plant Protection Resource Utilization, Shihezi, China
| | - Sheng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jian-Min Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hui-Shan Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
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60
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Li C, He Q, Zhang F, Yu J, Li C, Zhao T, Zhang Y, Xie Q, Su B, Mei L, Zhu S, Chen J. Melatonin enhances cotton immunity to Verticillium wilt via manipulating lignin and gossypol biosynthesis. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2019; 100:784-800. [PMID: 31349367 PMCID: PMC6899791 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.14477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2019] [Revised: 07/03/2019] [Accepted: 07/15/2019] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Plants endure challenging environments in which they are constantly threatened by diverse pathogens. The soil-borne fungus Verticillium dahliae is a devastating pathogen affecting many plant species including cotton, in which it significantly reduces crop yield and fiber quality. Melatonin involvement in plant immunity to pathogens has been reported, but the mechanisms of melatonin-induced plant resistance are unclear. In this study, the role of melatonin in enhancing cotton resistance to V. dahliae was investigated. At the transcriptome level, exogenous melatonin increased the expression of genes in phenylpropanoid, mevalonate (MVA), and gossypol pathways after V. dahliae inoculation. As a result, lignin and gossypol, the products of these metabolic pathways, significantly increased. Silencing the serotonin N-acetyltransferase 1 (GhSNAT1) and caffeic acid O-methyltransferase (GhCOMT) melatonin biosynthesis genes compromised cotton resistance, with reduced lignin and gossypol levels after V. dahliae inoculation. Exogenous melatonin pre-treatment prior to V. dahliae inoculation restored the level of cotton resistance reduced by the above gene silencing effects. Melatonin levels were higher in resistant cotton cultivars than in susceptible cultivars after V. dahliae inoculation. The findings indicate that melatonin affects lignin and gossypol synthesis genes in phenylpropanoid, MVA, and gossypol pathways, thereby enhancing cotton resistance to V. dahliae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Li
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Crop GermplasmZhejiang UniversityHangzhou310058China
- Institute of Crop ScienceZhejiang UniversityHangzhou310058China
| | - Qiuling He
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Plant Secondary Metabolism and RegulationZhejiang Sci‐Tech UniversityHangzhou310018China
| | - Fan Zhang
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Crop GermplasmZhejiang UniversityHangzhou310058China
- Institute of Crop ScienceZhejiang UniversityHangzhou310058China
| | - Jingwen Yu
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Crop GermplasmZhejiang UniversityHangzhou310058China
- Institute of Crop ScienceZhejiang UniversityHangzhou310058China
| | - Cong Li
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Crop GermplasmZhejiang UniversityHangzhou310058China
- Institute of Crop ScienceZhejiang UniversityHangzhou310058China
| | - Tianlun Zhao
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Crop GermplasmZhejiang UniversityHangzhou310058China
- Institute of Crop ScienceZhejiang UniversityHangzhou310058China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Crop GermplasmZhejiang UniversityHangzhou310058China
- Institute of Crop ScienceZhejiang UniversityHangzhou310058China
| | - Qianwen Xie
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Crop GermplasmZhejiang UniversityHangzhou310058China
- Institute of Crop ScienceZhejiang UniversityHangzhou310058China
| | - Bangrong Su
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Crop GermplasmZhejiang UniversityHangzhou310058China
- Institute of Crop ScienceZhejiang UniversityHangzhou310058China
| | - Lei Mei
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Crop GermplasmZhejiang UniversityHangzhou310058China
- Institute of Crop ScienceZhejiang UniversityHangzhou310058China
| | - Shuijin Zhu
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Crop GermplasmZhejiang UniversityHangzhou310058China
- Institute of Crop ScienceZhejiang UniversityHangzhou310058China
| | - Jinhong Chen
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Crop GermplasmZhejiang UniversityHangzhou310058China
- Institute of Crop ScienceZhejiang UniversityHangzhou310058China
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61
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Small RNA Functions as a Trafficking Effector in Plant Immunity. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20112816. [PMID: 31181829 PMCID: PMC6600683 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20112816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2019] [Revised: 06/01/2019] [Accepted: 06/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Small RNAs represent a class of small but powerful agents that regulate development and abiotic and biotic stress responses during plant adaptation to a constantly challenging environment. Previous findings have revealed the important roles of small RNAs in diverse cellular processes. The recent discovery of bidirectional trafficking of small RNAs between different kingdoms has raised many interesting questions. The subsequent demonstration of exosome-mediated small RNA export provided a possible tool for further investigating how plants use small RNAs as a weapon during the arms race between plant hosts and pathogens. This review will focus on discussing the roles of small RNAs in plant immunity in terms of three aspects: the biogenesis of extracellular small RNAs and the transportation and trafficking small RNA-mediated gene silencing in pathogens.
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Wong JWH, Plett JM. Root renovation: how an improved understanding of basic root biology could inform the development of elite crops that foster sustainable soil health. FUNCTIONAL PLANT BIOLOGY : FPB 2019; 46:597-612. [PMID: 31029179 DOI: 10.1071/fp18200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2018] [Accepted: 03/08/2019] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
A major goal in agricultural research is to develop 'elite' crops with stronger, resilient root systems. Within this context, breeding practices have focussed on developing plant varieties that are, primarily, able to withstand pathogen attack and, secondarily, able to maximise plant productivity. Although great strides towards breeding disease-tolerant or -resistant root stocks have been made, this has come at a cost. Emerging studies in certain crop species suggest that domestication of crops, together with soil management practices aimed at improving plant yield, may hinder beneficial soil microbial association or reduce microbial diversity in soil. To achieve more sustainable management of agricultural lands, we must not only shift our soil management practices but also our breeding strategy to include contributions from beneficial microbes. For this latter point, we need to advance our understanding of how plants communicate with, and are able to differentiate between, microbes of different lifestyles. Here, we present a review of the key findings on belowground plant-microbial interactions that have been made over the past decade, with a specific focus on how plants and microbes communicate. We also discuss the currently unresolved questions in this area, and propose plausible ways to use currently available research and integrate fast-emerging '-omics' technologies to tackle these questions. Combining past and developing research will enable the development of new crop varieties that will have new, value-added phenotypes belowground.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna W-H Wong
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Richmond, NSW 2753, Australia
| | - Jonathan M Plett
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Richmond, NSW 2753, Australia; and Corresponding author.
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63
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Cross-Kingdom Small RNAs Among Animals, Plants and Microbes. Cells 2019; 8:cells8040371. [PMID: 31018602 PMCID: PMC6523504 DOI: 10.3390/cells8040371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2019] [Revised: 04/12/2019] [Accepted: 04/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Small RNAs (sRNAs), a class of regulatory non-coding RNAs around 20~30-nt long, including small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs), are critical regulators of gene expression. Recently, accumulating evidence indicates that sRNAs can be transferred not only within cells and tissues of individual organisms, but also across different eukaryotic species, serving as a bond connecting the animal, plant, and microbial worlds. In this review, we summarize the results from recent studies on cross-kingdom sRNA communication. We not only review the horizontal transfer of sRNAs among animals, plants and microbes, but also discuss the mechanism of RNA interference (RNAi) signal transmission via cross-kingdom sRNAs. We also compare the advantages of host-induced gene silencing (HIGS) and spray-induced gene silencing (SIGS) technology and look forward to their applicable prospects in controlling fungal diseases.
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64
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Abstract
Plants and pathogenic microbes are engaged in constant attacks and counterattacks at the interface of the interacting organisms. Much of the molecular warfare involves cross-kingdom trafficking of proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, and metabolites that act as toxins, inhibitors, lytic enzymes, and signaling molecules. How various molecules are transported across the boundaries of plants and pathogens has remained largely unknown until now. Extracellular vesicles have emerged as likely carriers of molecular ammunition for both plants and pathogens. Recent advances are beginning to show how extracellular vesicles serve as powerful vehicles that transfer small RNAs from plants to fungal cells to diminish pathogen virulence and from fungi to plant cells to dampen host immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiangxiu Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jian-Min Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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65
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Mcloughlin AG, Walker PL, Wytinck N, Sullivan DS, Whyard S, Belmonte MF. Developing new RNA interference technologies to control fungal pathogens. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF PLANT PATHOLOGY 2018; 40:325-335. [PMID: 0 DOI: 10.1080/07060661.2018.1495268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/25/2018] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Austein G. Mcloughlin
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba, 50 Sifton Road, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Philip L. Walker
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba, 50 Sifton Road, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Nick Wytinck
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba, 50 Sifton Road, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Daniel S. Sullivan
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba, 50 Sifton Road, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Steve Whyard
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba, 50 Sifton Road, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Mark F. Belmonte
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba, 50 Sifton Road, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2N2, Canada
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66
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Zhang L, Wang M, Li N, Wang H, Qiu P, Pei L, Xu Z, Wang T, Gao E, Liu J, Liu S, Hu Q, Miao Y, Lindsey K, Tu L, Zhu L, Zhang X. Long noncoding RNAs involve in resistance to Verticillium dahliae, a fungal disease in cotton. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2018; 16:1172-1185. [PMID: 29149461 PMCID: PMC5978870 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.12861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2017] [Revised: 10/13/2017] [Accepted: 11/01/2017] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have several known functions in plant development, but their possible roles in responding to plant disease remain largely unresolved. In this study, we described a comprehensive disease-responding lncRNA profiles in defence against a cotton fungal disease Verticillium dahliae. We further revealed the conserved and specific characters of disease-responding process between two cotton species. Conservatively for two cotton species, we found the expression dominance of induced lncRNAs in the Dt subgenome, indicating a biased induction pattern in the co-existing subgenomes of allotetraploid cotton. Comparative analysis of lncRNA expression and their proposed functions in resistant Gossypium barbadense cv. '7124' versus susceptible Gossypium hirsutum cv. 'YZ1' revealed their distinct disease response mechanisms. Species-specific (LS) lncRNAs containing more SNPs displayed a fiercer inducing level postinfection than the species-conserved (core) lncRNAs. Gene Ontology enrichment of LS lncRNAs and core lncRNAs indicates distinct roles in the process of biotic stimulus. Further functional analysis showed that two core lncRNAs, GhlncNAT-ANX2- and GhlncNAT-RLP7-silenced seedlings, displayed an enhanced resistance towards V. dahliae and Botrytis cinerea, possibly associated with the increased expression of LOX1 and LOX2. This study represents the first characterization of lncRNAs involved in resistance to fungal disease and provides new clues to elucidate cotton disease response mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Zhang
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic ImprovementHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanHubeiChina
| | - Maojun Wang
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic ImprovementHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanHubeiChina
| | - Nannan Li
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic ImprovementHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanHubeiChina
| | - Honglei Wang
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic ImprovementHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanHubeiChina
| | - Ping Qiu
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic ImprovementHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanHubeiChina
| | - Liuling Pei
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic ImprovementHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanHubeiChina
| | - Zheng Xu
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic ImprovementHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanHubeiChina
| | - Tianyi Wang
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic ImprovementHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanHubeiChina
| | - Erlin Gao
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic ImprovementHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanHubeiChina
| | - Junxia Liu
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic ImprovementHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanHubeiChina
| | - Shiming Liu
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic ImprovementHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanHubeiChina
| | - Qin Hu
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic ImprovementHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanHubeiChina
| | - Yuhuan Miao
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic ImprovementHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanHubeiChina
| | - Keith Lindsey
- Integrative Cell Biology LaboratorySchool of Biological and Biomedical SciencesDurham UniversityDurhamUK
| | - Lili Tu
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic ImprovementHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanHubeiChina
| | - Longfu Zhu
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic ImprovementHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanHubeiChina
| | - Xianlong Zhang
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic ImprovementHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanHubeiChina
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67
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Shaban M, Miao Y, Ullah A, Khan AQ, Menghwar H, Khan AH, Ahmed MM, Tabassum MA, Zhu L. Physiological and molecular mechanism of defense in cotton against Verticillium dahliae. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY : PPB 2018; 125:193-204. [PMID: 29462745 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2018.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2018] [Revised: 02/08/2018] [Accepted: 02/10/2018] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Cotton, a natural fiber producing crop of huge importance for textile industry, has been reckoned as the backbone in the economy of many developing countries. Verticillium wilt caused by Verticillium dahliae reflected as the most devastating disease of cotton crop in several parts of the world. Average losses due to attack of this disease are tremendous every year. There is urgent need to develop strategies for effective control of this disease. In the last decade, progress has been made to understand the interaction between cotton-V. dahliae and several growth and pathogenicity related genes were identified. Still, most of the molecular components and mechanisms of cotton defense against Verticillium wilt are poorly understood. However, from existing knowledge, it is perceived that cotton defense mechanism primarily depends on the pre-formed defense structures including thick cuticle, synthesis of phenolic compounds and delaying or hindering the expansion of the invader through advanced measures such as reinforcement of cell wall structure, accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), release of phytoalexins, the hypersensitive response and the development of broad spectrum resistance named as, systemic acquired resistance (SAR). Investigation of these defense tactics provide valuable information about the improvement of cotton breeding strategies for the development of durable, cost effective, and broad spectrum resistant varieties. Consequently, this management approach will help to reduce the use of fungicides and also minimize other environmental hazards. In the present paper, we summarized the V. dahliae virulence mechanism and comprehensively discussed the cotton molecular mechanisms of defense such as physiological, biochemical responses with the addition of signaling pathways that are implicated towards attaining resistance against Verticillium wilt.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Shaban
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, PR China
| | - Yuhuan Miao
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, PR China
| | - Abid Ullah
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, PR China
| | - Anam Qadir Khan
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, PR China
| | - Hakim Menghwar
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, PR China
| | - Aamir Hamid Khan
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, PR China
| | - Muhammad Mahmood Ahmed
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, PR China
| | - Muhammad Adnan Tabassum
- Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Punjab, Pakistan
| | - Longfu Zhu
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, PR China.
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68
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Machado AK, Brown NA, Urban M, Kanyuka K, Hammond‐Kosack KE. RNAi as an emerging approach to control Fusarium head blight disease and mycotoxin contamination in cereals. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2018; 74:790-799. [PMID: 28967180 PMCID: PMC5873435 DOI: 10.1002/ps.4748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2017] [Revised: 09/11/2017] [Accepted: 09/22/2017] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Fusarium graminearum is a major fungal pathogen of cereals worldwide, causing seedling, stem base and floral diseases, including Fusarium head blight (FHB). In addition to yield and quality losses, FHB contaminates cereal grain with mycotoxins, including deoxynivalenol, which are harmful to human, animal and ecosystem health. Currently, FHB control is only partially effective due to several intractable problems. RNA interference (RNAi) is a natural mechanism that regulates gene expression. RNAi has been exploited in the development of new genomic tools that allow the targeted silencing of genes of interest in many eukaryotes. Host-induced gene silencing (HIGS) is a transgenic technology used to silence fungal genes in planta during attempted infection and thereby reduces disease levels. HIGS relies on the host plant's ability to produce mobile small interfering RNA molecules, generated from long double-stranded RNA, which are complementary to targeted fungal genes. These molecules are transferred from the plant to invading fungi via an uncharacterised mechanism, to cause gene silencing. Here, we describe recent advances in RNAi-mediated control of plant pathogenic fungi, highlighting the key advantages and disadvantages. We then discuss the developments and implications of combining HIGS with other methods of disease control. © 2017 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Karla Machado
- Department of Biointeractions and Crop ProtectionRothamsted ResearchHarpendenUK
| | - Neil A Brown
- Department of Biointeractions and Crop ProtectionRothamsted ResearchHarpendenUK
- Department of Biology & BiochemistryUniversity of Bath, Claverton DownBathUK
| | - Martin Urban
- Department of Biointeractions and Crop ProtectionRothamsted ResearchHarpendenUK
| | - Kostya Kanyuka
- Department of Biointeractions and Crop ProtectionRothamsted ResearchHarpendenUK
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69
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Indispensable Role of Proteases in Plant Innate Immunity. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19020629. [PMID: 29473858 PMCID: PMC5855851 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19020629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2018] [Revised: 02/14/2018] [Accepted: 02/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Plant defense is achieved mainly through the induction of microbe-associated molecular patterns (MAMP)-triggered immunity (MTI), effector-triggered immunity (ETI), systemic acquired resistance (SAR), induced systemic resistance (ISR), and RNA silencing. Plant immunity is a highly complex phenomenon with its own unique features that have emerged as a result of the arms race between plants and pathogens. However, the regulation of these processes is the same for all living organisms, including plants, and is controlled by proteases. Different families of plant proteases are involved in every type of immunity: some of the proteases that are covered in this review participate in MTI, affecting stomatal closure and callose deposition. A large number of proteases act in the apoplast, contributing to ETI by managing extracellular defense. A vast majority of the endogenous proteases discussed in this review are associated with the programmed cell death (PCD) of the infected cells and exhibit caspase-like activities. The synthesis of signal molecules, such as salicylic acid, jasmonic acid, and ethylene, and their signaling pathways, are regulated by endogenous proteases that affect the induction of pathogenesis-related genes and SAR or ISR establishment. A number of proteases are associated with herbivore defense. In this review, we summarize the data concerning identified plant endogenous proteases, their effect on plant-pathogen interactions, their subcellular localization, and their functional properties, if available, and we attribute a role in the different types and stages of innate immunity for each of the proteases covered.
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70
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Xu J, Wang X, Li Y, Zeng J, Wang G, Deng C, Guo W. Host-induced gene silencing of a regulator of G protein signalling gene (VdRGS1) confers resistance to Verticillium wilt in cotton. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2018; 16:1629-1643. [PMID: 29431919 PMCID: PMC6096726 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.12900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2017] [Accepted: 02/03/2018] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Verticillium wilt (VW), caused by soil-borne fungi of the genus Verticillium, is a serious disease affecting a wide range of plants and leading to a constant and major challenge to agriculture worldwide. Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) is the world's most important natural textile fibre and oil crop. VW of cotton is a highly devastating vascular disease; however, few resistant germplasms have been reported in cotton. An increasing number of studies have shown that RNA interference (RNAi)-based host-induced gene silencing (HIGS) is an effective strategy for improving plant resistance to pathogens by silencing genes essential for the pathogenicity of these pathogens. Here, we have identified and characterized multifunctional regulators of G protein signalling (RGS) in the Verticillium dahliae virulence strain, Vd8. Of eight VdRGS genes, VdRGS1 showed the most significant increase in expression in V. dahliae after treating with the roots of cotton seedlings. Based on the phenotype detection of VdRGS1 deletion and complementation mutants, we found that VdRGS1 played crucial roles in spore production, hyphal development, microsclerotia formation and pathogenicity. Tobacco rattle virus-mediated HIGS in cotton plants silenced VdRGS1 transcripts in invaded V. dahliae strains and enhanced broad-spectrum resistance to cotton VW. Our data demonstrate that VdRGS1 is a conserved and essential gene for V. dahliae virulence. HIGS of VdRGS1 provides effective control against V. dahliae infection and could obtain the durable disease resistance in cotton and in other VW-susceptible host crops by developing the stable transformants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm EnhancementNanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjingJiangsuChina
| | - Xinyu Wang
- College of Life SciencesNanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjingJiangsuChina
| | - Yongqing Li
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm EnhancementNanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjingJiangsuChina
| | - Jianguo Zeng
- College of Life SciencesNanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjingJiangsuChina
| | - Guilin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm EnhancementNanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjingJiangsuChina
| | - Chaoyang Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm EnhancementNanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjingJiangsuChina
| | - Wangzhen Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm EnhancementNanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjingJiangsuChina
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71
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Hua C, Zhao JH, Guo HS. Trans-Kingdom RNA Silencing in Plant-Fungal Pathogen Interactions. MOLECULAR PLANT 2018; 11:235-244. [PMID: 29229568 DOI: 10.1016/j.molp.2017.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2017] [Revised: 10/31/2017] [Accepted: 12/01/2017] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Fungal pathogens represent a major group of plant invaders that are the causative agents of many notorious plant diseases. Large quantities of RNAs, especially small RNAs involved in gene silencing, have been found to transmit bidirectionally between fungal pathogens and their hosts. Although host-induced gene silencing (HIGS) technology has been developed and applied to protect crops from fungal infections, the mechanisms of RNA transmission, especially small RNAs regulating trans-kingdom RNA silencing in plant immunity, are largely unknown. In this review, we summarize and discuss recent important findings regarding trans-kingdom sRNAs and RNA silencing in plant-fungal pathogen interactions compared with the well-known RNAi mechanisms in plants and fungi. We focus on the interactions between plant and fungal pathogens with broad hosts, represented by the vascular pathogen Verticillium dahliae and non-vascular pathogen Botrytis cinerea, and discuss the known instances of natural RNAi transmission between fungal pathogens and host plants. Given that HIGS has been developed and recently applied in controlling Verticillium wilt diseases, we propose an ideal research system exploiting plant vasculature-Verticillium interaction to further study trans-kingdom RNA silencing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenlei Hua
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101 Beijing, China
| | - Jian-Hua Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101 Beijing, China
| | - Hui-Shan Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101 Beijing, China; College of Life Science, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049 Beijing, China.
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72
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Jin Y, Zhao P, Fang YY, Gao F, Guo HS, Zhao JH. Genome-wide profiling of sRNAs in the Verticillium dahliae-infected Arabidopsis roots. Mycology 2018; 9:155-165. [PMID: 30181922 PMCID: PMC6115885 DOI: 10.1080/21501203.2018.1426062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2017] [Accepted: 01/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Small RNAs (sRNAs, including small interfering RNAs [siRNAs] and micro RNAs [miRNAs]) are key mediators of RNA silencing (or RNA interference), which play important roles in plant development and response to biotic and abiotic stimulation. Verticillium wilt is a plant vascular disease caused by the soil-borne fungal pathogens, such as Verticillium dahliae. We previously reported that V. dahliae infection increased two plant endogenous miRNAs that were exported to fungal cell to silence virulence genes. To investigate plant sRNAs in genome-wide response to V. dahliae infection, in this study, we constructed two sRNA libraries from Arabidopsis roots with and without V. dahliae infection, respectively. In total, 31 conserved miRNAs were found to be differentially expressed during the early stage of infection with V. dahliae using sRNA sequencing. Among these, the expression levels of miR160, miR164, miR166, miR167, miR390 and miR156h were confirmed by northern blot. Reverse transcription quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction results showed that the induction of miRNAs (miR160, miR164, miR166 and miR167) upon V. dahliae infection downregulated the expression of their targeted genes (ARF10, NAC1, PHV and ARF6), respectively. In addition, we identified specific phased siRNAs generated from distinct regions of two libraries. Profiling of these miRNAs and sRNAs lay the foundation for further understanding and utilising the host-induced gene silencing strategy to control plant vascular pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, BeijingChina
| | - Pan Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, BeijingChina
| | - Yuan-Yuan Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, BeijingChina
| | - Feng Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, BeijingChina.,College of Agriculture, Shihezi University and Key Laboratory at Universities of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region for Oasis Agricultural Pest Management and Plant Protection Resource Utilization, Shihezi, China
| | - Hui-Shan Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, BeijingChina.,College of Life Science, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jian-Hua Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, BeijingChina
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73
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Zhang Q, Gao X, Ren Y, Ding X, Qiu J, Li N, Zeng F, Chu Z. Improvement of Verticillium Wilt Resistance by Applying Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi to a Cotton Variety with High Symbiotic Efficiency under Field Conditions. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:E241. [PMID: 29342876 PMCID: PMC5796189 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19010241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2017] [Revised: 01/03/2018] [Accepted: 01/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) play an important role in nutrient cycling processes and plant stress resistance. To evaluate the effect of Rhizophagus irregularis CD1 on plant growth promotion (PGP) and Verticillium wilt disease, the symbiotic efficiency of AMF (SEA) was first investigated over a range of 3% to 94% in 17 cotton varieties. The high-SEA subgroup had significant PGP effects in a greenhouse. From these results, the highest-SEA variety of Lumian 1 was selected for a two-year field assay. Consistent with the performance from the greenhouse, the AMF-mediated PGP of Lumian 1 also produced significant results, including an increased plant height, stem diameter, number of petioles, and phosphorus content. Compared with the mock treatment, AMF colonization obviously inhibited the symptom development of Verticillium dahliae and more strongly elevated the expression of pathogenesis-related genes and lignin synthesis-related genes. These results suggest that AMF colonization could lead to the mycorrhiza-induced resistance (MIR) of Lumian 1 to V. dahliae. Interestingly, our results indicated that the AMF endosymbiont could directly inhibit the growth of phytopathogenic fungi including V. dahliae by releasing undefined volatiles. In summary, our results suggest that stronger effects of AMF application result from the high-SEA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, College of Agronomy, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an 271018, China.
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Vegetable Disease and Insect Pests, College of Plant Protection, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an 271018, China.
| | - Xinpeng Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, College of Agronomy, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an 271018, China.
| | - Yanyun Ren
- Jining Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jining 272031, China.
| | - Xinhua Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, College of Agronomy, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an 271018, China.
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Vegetable Disease and Insect Pests, College of Plant Protection, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an 271018, China.
| | - Jiajia Qiu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, College of Agronomy, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an 271018, China.
| | - Ning Li
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, College of Agronomy, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an 271018, China.
| | - Fanchang Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, College of Agronomy, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an 271018, China.
| | - Zhaohui Chu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, College of Agronomy, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an 271018, China.
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74
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Song Y, Thomma BPHJ. Host-induced gene silencing compromises Verticillium wilt in tomato and Arabidopsis. MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY 2018; 19:77-89. [PMID: 27749994 PMCID: PMC6638114 DOI: 10.1111/mpp.12500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2016] [Revised: 10/11/2016] [Accepted: 10/12/2016] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Verticillium wilt, caused by soil-borne fungi of the genus Verticillium, is an economically important disease that affects a wide range of host plants. Unfortunately, host resistance against Verticillium wilts is not available for many plant species, and the disease is notoriously difficult to combat. Host-induced gene silencing (HIGS) is an RNA interference (RNAi)-based process in which small RNAs are produced by the host plant to target parasite transcripts. HIGS has emerged as a promising strategy for the improvement of plant resistance against pathogens by silencing genes that are essential for these pathogens. Here, we assessed whether HIGS can be utilized to suppress Verticillium wilt disease by silencing three previously identified virulence genes of V. dahliae (encoding Ave1, Sge1 and NLP1) through the host plants tomato and Arabidopsis. In transient assays, tomato plants were agroinfiltrated with Tobacco rattle virus (TRV) constructs to target V. dahliae transcripts. Subsequent V. dahliae inoculation revealed the suppression of Verticillium wilt disease on treatment with only one of the three TRV constructs. Next, expression of RNAi constructs targeting transcripts of the same three V. dahliae virulence genes was pursued in stable transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana plants. In this host, V. dahliae inoculation revealed reduced Verticillium wilt disease in two of the three targets. Thus, our study suggests that, depending on the target gene chosen, HIGS against V. dahliae is operational in tomato and A. thaliana plants and may be exploited to engineer resistance in Verticillium wilt-susceptible crops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yin Song
- Laboratory of PhytopathologyWageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 1Wageningen6708 PBthe Netherlands
| | - Bart P. H. J. Thomma
- Laboratory of PhytopathologyWageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 1Wageningen6708 PBthe Netherlands
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75
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Abstract
Accumulating evidence indicates that small noncoding RNAs (sRNAs) can be transferred across species for interkingdom communication. In addition to the artificial transgene-derived small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), endogenous microRNAs (miRNAs) can also influence interacting organisms to execute a regulatory function. For instance, we have recently found that, in response to infection with Verticillium dahliae (V. dahliae), cotton plants increase accumulation of miR166 and miR159, which can be exported to the fungal hyphae for specific silencing of virulence genes. These findings suggest a great potential for applying interkingdom mobile miRNAs for crop protection against fungal pathogens. The methods described here provide an approach to identify plant miRNAs and their potential targets in invading fungal pathogens, which will help in revealing the underlying mechanisms of these crosstalk phenomena.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hui-Shan Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
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76
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Li TG, Zhang DD, Zhou L, Kong ZQ, Hussaini AS, Wang D, Li JJ, Short DPG, Dhar N, Klosterman SJ, Wang BL, Yin CM, Subbarao KV, Chen JY, Dai XF. Genome-Wide Identification and Functional Analyses of the CRK Gene Family in Cotton Reveals GbCRK18 Confers Verticillium Wilt Resistance in Gossypium barbadense. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2018; 9:1266. [PMID: 30254650 PMCID: PMC6141769 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2018.01266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2018] [Accepted: 08/10/2018] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Cysteine-rich receptor-like kinases (CRKs) are a large subfamily of plant receptor-like kinases that play a critical role in disease resistance in plants. However, knowledge about the CRK gene family in cotton and its function against Verticillium wilt (VW), a destructive disease caused by Verticillium dahliae that significantly reduces cotton yields is lacking. In this study, we identified a total of 30 typical CRKs in a Gossypium barbadense genome (GbCRKs). Eleven of these (>30%) are located on the A06 and D06 chromosomes, and 18 consisted of 9 paralogous pairs encoded in the A and D subgenomes. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the GbCRKs could be classified into four broad groups, the expansion of which has probably been driven by tandem duplication. Gene expression profiling of the GbCRKs in resistant and susceptible cotton cultivars revealed that a phylogenetic cluster of nine of the GbCRK genes were up-regulated in response to V. dahliae infection. Virus-induced gene silencing of each of these nine GbCRKs independently revealed that the silencing of GbCRK18 was sufficient to compromise VW resistance in G. barbadense. GbCRK18 expression could be induced by V. dahliae infection or jasmonic acid, and displayed plasma membrane localization. Therefore, our expression analyses indicated that the CRK gene family is differentially regulated in response to Verticillium infection, while gene silencing experiments revealed that GbCRK18 in particular confers VW resistance in G. barbadense.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting-Gang Li
- Laboratory of Cotton Disease, Institute of Food Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Dan-Dan Zhang
- Laboratory of Cotton Disease, Institute of Food Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Lei Zhou
- Laboratory of Cotton Disease, Institute of Food Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhi-Qiang Kong
- Laboratory of Cotton Disease, Institute of Food Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Adamu S. Hussaini
- Laboratory of Cotton Disease, Institute of Food Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Dan Wang
- Laboratory of Cotton Disease, Institute of Food Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jun-Jiao Li
- Laboratory of Cotton Disease, Institute of Food Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Dylan P. G. Short
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
- U.S. Agricultural Research Station, Salinas, CA, United States
| | - Nikhilesh Dhar
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
- U.S. Agricultural Research Station, Salinas, CA, United States
| | - Steven J. Klosterman
- Crop Improvement and Protection Research Unit, United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Salinas, CA, United States
| | - Bao-Li Wang
- Laboratory of Cotton Disease, Institute of Food Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chun-Mei Yin
- Laboratory of Cotton Disease, Institute of Food Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Krishna V. Subbarao
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
- U.S. Agricultural Research Station, Salinas, CA, United States
- *Correspondence: Krishna V. Subbarao, Jie-Yin Chen, Xiao-Feng Dai,
| | - Jie-Yin Chen
- Laboratory of Cotton Disease, Institute of Food Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Krishna V. Subbarao, Jie-Yin Chen, Xiao-Feng Dai,
| | - Xiao-Feng Dai
- Laboratory of Cotton Disease, Institute of Food Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Krishna V. Subbarao, Jie-Yin Chen, Xiao-Feng Dai,
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77
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Li T, Ma X, Li N, Zhou L, Liu Z, Han H, Gui Y, Bao Y, Chen J, Dai X. Genome-wide association study discovered candidate genes of Verticillium wilt resistance in upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2017; 15:1520-1532. [PMID: 28371164 PMCID: PMC5698051 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.12734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2017] [Revised: 03/16/2017] [Accepted: 03/21/2017] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Verticillium wilt (VW), caused by infection by Verticillium dahliae, is considered one of the most yield-limiting diseases in cotton. To examine the genetic architecture of cotton VW resistance, we performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) using a panel of 299 accessions and 85 630 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) detected using the specific-locus amplified fragment sequencing (SLAF-seq) approach. Trait-SNP association analysis detected a total of 17 significant SNPs at P < 1.17 × 10-5 (P = 1/85 630, -log10 P = 4.93); the peaks of SNPs associated with VW resistance on A10 were continuous and common in three environments (RDIG2015, RDIF2015 and RDIF2016). Haplotype block structure analysis predicted 22 candidate genes for VW resistance based on A10_99672586 with a minimum P-value (-log10 P = 6.21). One of these genes (CG02) was near the significant SNP A10_99672586 (0.26 Mb), located in a 372-kb haplotype block, and its Arabidopsis AT3G25510 homologues contain TIR-NBS-LRR domains that may be involved in disease resistance response. Real-time quantitative PCR and virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) analysis showed that CG02 was specific to up-regulation in the resistant (R) genotype Zhongzhimian2 (ZZM2) and that silenced plants were more susceptible to V. dahliae. These results indicate that CG02 is likely the candidate gene for resistance against V. dahliae in cotton. The identified locus or gene may serve as a promising target for genetic engineering and selection for improving resistance to VW in cotton.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tinggang Li
- Laboratory of Cotton DiseaseInstitute of Food Science and TechnologyChinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Xuefeng Ma
- Laboratory of Cotton DiseaseInstitute of Food Science and TechnologyChinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Nanyang Li
- Laboratory of Cotton DiseaseInstitute of Food Science and TechnologyChinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Lei Zhou
- Laboratory of Cotton DiseaseInstitute of Food Science and TechnologyChinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Zheng Liu
- Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural and Reclamation ScienceXinjiangChina
| | - Huanyong Han
- Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural and Reclamation ScienceXinjiangChina
| | - Yuejing Gui
- Laboratory of Cotton DiseaseInstitute of Food Science and TechnologyChinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Yuming Bao
- Laboratory of Cotton DiseaseInstitute of Food Science and TechnologyChinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Jieyin Chen
- Laboratory of Cotton DiseaseInstitute of Food Science and TechnologyChinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Xiaofeng Dai
- Laboratory of Cotton DiseaseInstitute of Food Science and TechnologyChinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesBeijingChina
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78
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Rehman L, Su X, Li X, Qi X, Guo H, Cheng H. FreB is involved in the ferric metabolism and multiple pathogenicity-related traits of Verticillium dahliae. Curr Genet 2017; 64:645-659. [PMID: 29177887 DOI: 10.1007/s00294-017-0780-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2017] [Revised: 10/25/2017] [Accepted: 11/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Ferric reductases are integral membrane proteins involved in the reduction of environmental ferric iron into the biologically available ferrous iron. In the most overwhelming phytopathogenic fungus, Verticillium dahliae, these ferric reductase are not studied in details. In this study we explored the role of FreB gene (VDAG_06616) in the ferric reduction and virulence of V. dahliae by generating the knockout mutants (ΔFreB) and complementary strains (ΔFreB-C) using protoplast transformation. When cultured on media supplemented with FeSO4, FeCl3 and no iron, ΔFreB exhibited significantly reduced growth and spore production especially on media with no iron. Transmembrane ferric reductase activity of ΔFreB was decreased up to 50% than wild type strains (Vd-wt). The activity was fully restored in ΔFreB-C. Meanwhile, the expression levels of other related genes (Frect-4, Frect-5, Frect-6 and Met) were obviously increased in ΔFreB. Compared with the Vd-wt and ΔFreB-C, ΔFreB-1 and ΔFreB-2 were impaired in colony diameter and spore number on different carbon sources (starch, sucrose, galactose and xylose). ΔFreB-1 and ΔFreB-2 were also highly sensitive to oxidative stress as revealed by the plate diffusion assay when 100 µM H2O2 was applied to the fungal culture. When Nicotiana benthamiana plants were inoculated, ΔFreB exhibited less disease symptoms than Vd-wt and ΔFreB-C. In conclusion, the present findings not only indicate that FreB mediates the ferric metabolism and is required for the full virulence in V. dahliae, but would also accelerate future investigation to uncover the pathogenic mechanism of this fungus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Latifur Rehman
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Xiaofeng Su
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Xiaokang Li
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Xiliang Qi
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Huiming Guo
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Hongmei Cheng
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China.
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79
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Su X, Rehman L, Guo H, Li X, Cheng H. The oligosaccharyl transferase subunit STT3 mediates fungal development and is required for virulence in Verticillium dahliae. Curr Genet 2017; 64:235-246. [DOI: 10.1007/s00294-017-0729-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2017] [Revised: 07/23/2017] [Accepted: 07/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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80
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VdPKS1 is required for melanin formation and virulence in a cotton wilt pathogen Verticillium dahliae. SCIENCE CHINA-LIFE SCIENCES 2017; 60:868-879. [PMID: 28755294 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-017-9075-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2017] [Accepted: 04/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Verticillium dahliae is a soil-borne phytopathogenic fungus that causes vascular wilt disease in a broad range of hosts. This pathogen survives for many years in soil in the form of melanized microsclerotia. To investigate the melanin synthesis in V. dahliae, we identified a polyketide synthase gene in V. dahliae, namely VdPKS1. PKS1 is known to involve in the dihydroxynaphthalene melanin synthesis pathway in many fungi. We found that VdPKS1 was required for melanin formation but not for microsclerotial production in V. dahliae. The VdPKS1 gene-disruption mutant (vdpks1) formed melanin-deficient albino microsclerotia, which did not affect the fungal colonization in host tissues but significantly reduced the disease severity. Gene transcription analysis in the wild-type and the vdpks1 strains suggested that VdPKS1 gene-disruption influenced the expression of a series of genes involved in ethylene biosynthesis, microsclerotial formation and pathogenesis. Our results suggest that the VdPKS1-mediated melanin synthesis is important for virulence and developmental traits of V. dahliae.
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81
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Zhao YL, Zhang T, Guo HS. Penetration Assays, Fungal Recovery and Pathogenicity Assays for Verticillium dahliae. Bio Protoc 2017; 7:e2133. [PMID: 34458454 DOI: 10.21769/bioprotoc.2133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2016] [Revised: 01/16/2017] [Accepted: 01/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Verticillium dahliae is a soil-borne phytopathogenic fungus that infects host roots and proliferates in vascular tissues. The great loss of economically important crop caused by V. dahliae has raised worldwide concern, however, little is known about the mechanism of its pathogenicity ( Klosterman et al., 2011 ; Yadeta and Thomma, 2013). Our recent work has shown that V. dahliae develops hyphopodium as an infection structure to breach plant root cell wall ( Zhao et al., 2016 ). Here, we provide a detailed protocol to analyze the penetration ability and the pathogenicity of V. dahliae as well as recover fungal hyphae from infected cotton stems developed from our previous studies ( Zhang et al., 2016a and 2016b; Zhao et al., 2016 ). Cellophane membrane has been used in inducing appressorium development of foliar pathogens but not root pathogens (Bourett and Howard, 1990). We adopted the method of using the cellophane membrane to induce and assess the development of hyphopodium. Hopefully, it will greatly promote the research of molecular events involved in recognition of the host that regulate infectious development. This protocol is also helpful to identify the key component controlling the pathogenicity of V. dahliae and widen our understanding of the mechanism of plant-microbe interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun-Long Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Tao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hui-Shan Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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82
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Su X, Rehman L, Guo H, Li X, Zhang R, Cheng H. AAC as a Potential Target Gene to Control Verticillium dahliae. Genes (Basel) 2017; 8:genes8010025. [PMID: 28075391 PMCID: PMC5295020 DOI: 10.3390/genes8010025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2016] [Revised: 12/28/2016] [Accepted: 01/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Verticillium dahliae invades the roots of host plants and causes vascular wilt, which seriously diminishes the yield of cotton and other important crops. The protein AAC (ADP, ATP carrier) is responsible for transferring ATP from the mitochondria into the cytoplasm. When V. dahliae protoplasts were transformed with short interfering RNAs (siRNAs) targeting the VdAAC gene, fungal growth and sporulation were significantly inhibited. To further confirm a role for VdAAC in fungal development, we generated knockout mutants (ΔVdACC). Compared with wild-type V. dahliae (Vd wt), ΔVdAAC was impaired in germination and virulence; these impairments were rescued in the complementary strains (ΔVdAAC-C). Moreover, when an RNAi construct of VdAAC under the control of the 35S promoter was used to transform Nicotiana benthamiana, the expression of VdAAC was downregulated in the transgenic seedlings, and they had elevated resistance against V. dahliae. The results of this study suggest that VdAAC contributes to fungal development, virulence and is a promising candidate gene to control V. dahliae. In addition, RNAi is a highly efficient way to silence fungal genes and provides a novel strategy to improve disease resistance in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofeng Su
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China.
| | - Latifur Rehman
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China.
| | - Huiming Guo
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China.
| | - Xiaokang Li
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China.
| | - Rui Zhang
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China.
| | - Hongmei Cheng
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China.
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83
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Majumdar R, Rajasekaran K, Cary JW. RNA Interference (RNAi) as a Potential Tool for Control of Mycotoxin Contamination in Crop Plants: Concepts and Considerations. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2017; 8:200. [PMID: 28261252 PMCID: PMC5306134 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2017.00200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2016] [Accepted: 02/02/2017] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Mycotoxin contamination in food and feed crops is a major concern worldwide. Fungal pathogens of the genera Aspergillus. Fusarium, and Penicillium are a major threat to food and feed crops due to production of mycotoxins such as aflatoxins, 4-deoxynivalenol, patulin, and numerous other toxic secondary metabolites that substantially reduce the value of the crop. While host resistance genes are frequently used to introgress disease resistance into elite germplasm, either through traditional breeding or transgenic approaches, such resistance is often compromised by the evolving pathogen over time. RNAi-based host-induced gene silencing of key genes required by the pathogen for optimal growth, virulence and/or toxin production, can serve as an alternative, pre-harvest approach for disease control. RNAi represents a robust and efficient tool that can be used in a highly targeted, tissue specific manner to combat mycotoxigenic fungi infecting crop plants. Successful transgenic RNAi implementation depends on several factors including (1) designing vectors to produce double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) that will generate small interfering RNA (siRNA) species for optimal gene silencing and reduced potential for off-target effects; (2) availability of ample target siRNAs at the infection site; (3) efficient uptake of siRNAs by the fungus; (4) siRNA half-life and (5) amplification of the silencing effect. This review provides a critical and comprehensive evaluation of the published literature on the use of RNAi-based approaches to control mycotoxin contamination in crop plants. It also examines experimental strategies used to better understand the mode of action of RNAi with the aim of eliminating mycotoxin contamination, thereby improving food and feed safety.
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