Microbe-induced gene silencing boosts crop protection against soil-borne fungal pathogens

Harnessing RNA interference for the control of Fusarium species: A critical review

Fusarium fungi are a pervasive threat to global agricultural productivity. They cause a spectrum of plant diseases that result in significant yield losses and threaten food safety by producing mycotoxins that are harmful to human and animal health. In recent years, the exploitation of the RNA interference (RNAi) mechanism has emerged as a promising avenue for the control of Fusarium-induced diseases, providing both a mechanistic understanding of Fusarium gene function and a potential strategy for environmentally sustainable disease management. However, despite significant progress in elucidating the presence and function of the RNAi pathway in different Fusarium species, a comprehensive understanding of its individual protein components and underlying silencing mechanisms remains elusive. Accordingly, while a considerable number of RNAi-based approaches to Fusarium control have been developed and many reports of RNAi applications in Fusarium control under laboratory conditions have been published, the applicability of this knowledge in agronomic settings remains an open question, and few convincing data on RNAi-based disease control under field conditions have been published. This review aims to consolidate the current knowledge on the role of RNAi in Fusarium disease control by evaluating current research and highlighting important avenues for future investigation.

Trans-Species Mobility of RNA Interference between Plants and Associated Organisms

Trans-species RNA interference (RNAi) occurs naturally when small RNAs (sRNAs) silence genes in species different from their origin. This phenomenon has been observed between plants and various organisms including fungi, animals and other plant species. Understanding the mechanisms used in natural cases of trans-species RNAi, such as sRNA processing and movement, will enable more effective development of crop protection methods using host-induced gene silencing (HIGS). Recent progress has been made in understanding the mechanisms of cell-to-cell and long-distance movement of sRNAs within individual plants. This increased understanding of endogenous plant sRNA movement may be translatable to trans-species sRNA movement. Here, we review diverse cases of natural trans-species RNAi focusing on current theories regarding intercellular and long-distance sRNA movement. We also touch on trans-species sRNA evolution, highlighting its research potential and its role in improving the efficacy of HIGS.

An Efficient Homologous Recombination-Based In Situ Protein-Labeling Method in Verticillium dahliae

Accurate determination of protein localization, levels, or protein-protein interactions is pivotal for the study of their function, and in situ protein labeling via homologous recombination has emerged as a critical tool in many organisms. While this approach has been refined in various model fungi, the study of protein function in most plant pathogens has predominantly relied on ex situ or overexpression manipulations. To dissect the molecular mechanisms of development and infection for Verticillium dahliae, a formidable plant pathogen responsible for vascular wilt diseases, we have established a robust, homologous recombination-based in situ protein labeling strategy in this organism. Utilizing Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation (ATMT), this methodology facilitates the precise tagging of specific proteins at their C-termini with epitopes, such as GFP and Flag, within the native context of V. dahliae. We demonstrate the efficacy of our approach through the in situ labeling of VdCf2 and VdDMM2, followed by subsequent confirmation via subcellular localization and protein-level analyses. Our findings confirm the applicability of homologous recombination for in situ protein labeling in V. dahliae and suggest its potential utility across a broad spectrum of filamentous fungi. This labeling method stands to significantly advance the field of functional genomics in plant pathogenic fungi, offering a versatile and powerful tool for the elucidation of protein function.