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Liu C, Kogel K, Ladera‐Carmona M. Harnessing RNA interference for the control of Fusarium species: A critical review. MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY 2024; 25:e70011. [PMID: 39363756 PMCID: PMC11450251 DOI: 10.1111/mpp.70011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2024] [Revised: 08/13/2024] [Accepted: 09/10/2024] [Indexed: 10/05/2024]
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caihong Liu
- Institute of Phytopathology, Research Centre for BioSystems, Land Use and NutritionJustus Liebig University GiessenGiessenGermany
| | - Karl‐Heinz Kogel
- Institute of Phytopathology, Research Centre for BioSystems, Land Use and NutritionJustus Liebig University GiessenGiessenGermany
- Institut de Biologie Moléculaire des Plantes, CNRSUniversité de StrasbourgStrasbourgFrance
| | - Maria Ladera‐Carmona
- Institute of Phytopathology, Research Centre for BioSystems, Land Use and NutritionJustus Liebig University GiessenGiessenGermany
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2
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Capriotti L, Molesini B, Pandolfini T, Jin H, Baraldi E, Cecchin M, Mezzetti B, Sabbadini S. RNA interference-based strategies to control Botrytis cinerea infection in cultivated strawberry. PLANT CELL REPORTS 2024; 43:201. [PMID: 39048858 PMCID: PMC11269516 DOI: 10.1007/s00299-024-03288-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2024] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
KEY MESSAGE Gene silencing of BcDCL genes improves gray mold disease control in the cultivated strawberry. Gene silencing technology offers new opportunities to develop new formulations or new pathogen-resistant plants for reducing impacts of agricultural systems. Recent studies offered the proof of concept that the symptoms of gray mold can be reduced by downregulating Dicer-like 1 (DCL1) and 2 (DCL2) genes of Botrytis cinerea. In this study, we demonstrate that both solutions based on dsRNA topical treatment and in planta expression targeting BcDCL1 and BcDCL2 genes can be used to control the strawberry gray mold, the most harmful disease for different fruit crops. 50, 70 and 100 ng μL-1 of naked BcDCL1/2 dsRNA, sprayed on plants of Fragaria x ananassa cultivar Romina in the greenhouse, displayed significant reduction of susceptibility, compared to the negative controls, but to a lesser extent than the chemical fungicide. Three independent lines of Romina cultivar were confirmed for their stable expression of the hairpin gene construct that targets the Bc-DCL1 and 2 sequences (hp-Bc-DCL1/2), and for the production of hp construct-derived siRNAs, by qRT-PCR and Northern blot analyses. In vitro and in vivo detached leaves, and fruits from the hp-Bc-DCL1/2 lines showed significantly enhanced tolerance to this fungal pathogen compared to the control. This decreased susceptibility was correlated to the reduced fungal biomass and the downregulation of the Bc-DCL1 and 2 genes in B. cinerea. These results confirm the potential of both RNAi-based products and plants for protecting the cultivated strawberry from B. cinerea infection, reducing the impact of chemical pesticides on the environment and the health of consumers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Capriotti
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Barbara Molesini
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie, 15, 37134, Verona, Italy
| | - Tiziana Pandolfini
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie, 15, 37134, Verona, Italy
| | - Hailing Jin
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, Center for Plant Cell Biology, Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Elena Baraldi
- Department of Agricultural and Food Science, DISTAL, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Michela Cecchin
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie, 15, 37134, Verona, Italy
| | - Bruno Mezzetti
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy.
| | - Silvia Sabbadini
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy.
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3
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Spada M, Pugliesi C, Fambrini M, Pecchia S. Challenges and Opportunities Arising from Host- Botrytis cinerea Interactions to Outline Novel and Sustainable Control Strategies: The Key Role of RNA Interference. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:6798. [PMID: 38928507 PMCID: PMC11203536 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25126798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2024] [Revised: 06/18/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The necrotrophic plant pathogenic fungus Botrytis cinerea (Pers., 1794), the causative agent of gray mold disease, causes significant losses in agricultural production. Control of this fungal pathogen is quite difficult due to its wide host range and environmental persistence. Currently, the management of the disease is still mainly based on chemicals, which can have harmful effects not only on the environment and on human health but also because they favor the development of strains resistant to fungicides. The flexibility and plasticity of B. cinerea in challenging plant defense mechanisms and its ability to evolve strategies to escape chemicals require the development of new control strategies for successful disease management. In this review, some aspects of the host-pathogen interactions from which novel and sustainable control strategies could be developed (e.g., signaling pathways, molecules involved in plant immune mechanisms, hormones, post-transcriptional gene silencing) were analyzed. New biotechnological tools based on the use of RNA interference (RNAi) are emerging in the crop protection scenario as versatile, sustainable, effective, and environmentally friendly alternatives to the use of chemicals. RNAi-based fungicides are expected to be approved soon, although they will face several challenges before reaching the market.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Spada
- Department of Agriculture Food and Environment, University of Pisa, Via del Borghetto 80, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Claudio Pugliesi
- Department of Agriculture Food and Environment, University of Pisa, Via del Borghetto 80, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Marco Fambrini
- Department of Agriculture Food and Environment, University of Pisa, Via del Borghetto 80, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Susanna Pecchia
- Department of Agriculture Food and Environment, University of Pisa, Via del Borghetto 80, 56124 Pisa, Italy
- Interdepartmental Research Center Nutrafood “Nutraceuticals and Food for Health”, University of Pisa, Via del Borghetto 80, 56124 Pisa, Italy
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4
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Chong NF, Van de Wouw AP, Idnurm A. The ilv2 gene, encoding acetolactate synthase for branched chain amino acid biosynthesis, is required for plant pathogenicity by Leptosphaeria maculans. Mol Biol Rep 2024; 51:682. [PMID: 38796647 PMCID: PMC11127833 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-024-09620-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/28/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Control of blackleg disease of canola caused by the fungus Leptosphaeria maculans relies on strategies such as the inhibition of growth with fungicides. However, other chemicals are used during canola cultivation, including fertilizers and herbicides. There is widespread use of herbicides that target the acetolactate synthase (ALS) enzyme involved in branched chain amino acid synthesis and low levels of these amino acids within leaves of Brassica species. In L. maculans the ilv2 gene encodes ALS and thus ALS-inhibiting herbicides may inadvertently impact the fungus. METHODS AND RESULTS Here, the impact of a commercial herbicide targeting ALS and mutation of the homologous ilv2 gene in L. maculans was explored. Exposure to herbicide had limited impact on growth in vitro but reduced lesion sizes in plant disease experiments. Furthermore, the mutation of the ilv2 gene via CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing rendered the fungus non-pathogenic. CONCLUSION Herbicide applications can influence disease outcome, but likely to a minor extent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas F Chong
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Angela P Van de Wouw
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Alexander Idnurm
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia.
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5
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Saberi Riseh R, Gholizadeh Vazvani M, Vatankhah M, Kennedy JF. Chitin-induced disease resistance in plants: A review. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 266:131105. [PMID: 38531527 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.131105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
Chitin is composed of N-acetylglucosamine units. Chitin a polysaccharide found in the cell walls of fungi and exoskeletons of insects and crustaceans, can elicit a potent defense response in plants. Through the activation of defense genes, stimulation of defensive compound production, and reinforcement of physical barriers, chitin enhances the plant's ability to defend against pathogens. Chitin-based treatments have shown efficacy against various plant diseases caused by fungal, bacterial, viral, and nematode pathogens, and have been integrated into sustainable agricultural practices. Furthermore, chitin treatments have demonstrated additional benefits, such as promoting plant growth and improving tolerance to abiotic stresses. Further research is necessary to optimize treatment parameters, explore chitin derivatives, and conduct long-term field studies. Continued efforts in these areas will contribute to the development of innovative and sustainable strategies for disease management in agriculture, ultimately leading to improved crop productivity and reduced reliance on chemical pesticides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roohallah Saberi Riseh
- Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Vali-e-Asr University of Rafsanjan, 7718897111 Rafsanjan, Iran.
| | - Mozhgan Gholizadeh Vazvani
- Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Vali-e-Asr University of Rafsanjan, 7718897111 Rafsanjan, Iran
| | - Masoumeh Vatankhah
- Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Vali-e-Asr University of Rafsanjan, 7718897111 Rafsanjan, Iran
| | - John F Kennedy
- Chembiotech Laboratories Ltd, WR15 8FF Tenbury Wells, United Kingdom.
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Chen A, Han X, Liu C, Zhou Y, Ren Y, Shen X, Shim WB, Chai Y, Ma Z, Chen Y. Profiling of deubiquitinases that control virulence in the pathogenic plant fungus Fusarium graminearum. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2024; 242:192-210. [PMID: 38332398 DOI: 10.1111/nph.19562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
Eukaryotes have evolved sophisticated post-translational modifications to regulate protein function and numerous biological processes, including ubiquitination controlled by the coordinated action of ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes and deubiquitinating enzymes (Dubs). However, the function of deubiquitination in pathogenic fungi is largely unknown. Here, the distribution of Dubs in the fungal kingdom was surveyed and their functions were systematically characterized using the phytopathogen Fusarium graminearum as the model species, which causes devastating diseases of all cereal species world-wide. Our findings demonstrate that Dubs are critical for fungal development and virulence, especially the ubiquitin-specific protease 15 (Ubp15). Global ubiquitome analysis and subsequent experiments identified three important substrates of Ubp15, including the autophagy-related protein Atg8, the mitogen-activated protein kinase Gpmk1, and the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON) biosynthetic protein Tri4. Ubp15 regulates the deubiquitination of the Atg8, thereby impacting its subcellular localization and the autophagy process. Moreover, Ubp15 also modulates the deubiquitination of Gpmk1 and Tri4. This modulation subsequently influences their protein stabilities and further affects the formation of penetration structures and the biosynthetic process of DON, respectively. Collectively, our findings reveal a previously unknown regulatory pathway of a deubiquitinating enzyme for fungal virulence and highlight the potential of Ubp15 as a target for combating fungal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahai Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding, The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- FAFU-UCR Joint Center for Horticultural Biology and Metabolomics, Haixia Institute of Science and Technology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Xingmin Han
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding, The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Chao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding, The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Yifan Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding, The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Yiyi Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding, The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Xingxing Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology, The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Won Bo Shim
- Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Yunrong Chai
- Department of Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Zhonghua Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding, The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Yun Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding, The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
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Cong H, Sun Y, Li C, Zhang Y, Wang Y, Ma D, Jiang J, Li L, Li L. The APSES transcription factor CfSwi6 is required for growth, cell wall integrity, and pathogenicity of Ceratocystis fimbriata. Microbiol Res 2024; 281:127624. [PMID: 38295680 DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2024.127624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Cell wall integrity (CWI) is crucial for the growth, development, and host invasion of pathogenic fungi. The APSES transcription factor Swi6 in fungi plays a role in mediating cell wall integrity through the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway. Ceratocystis fimbriata is a notorious pathogenic fungus responsible for causing black rot in sweet potatoes. In this study, an orthologous APSES transcription factor Swi6 (CfSwi6) downstream of the CWI regulatory pathway in C. fimbriata was characterized. Deletion of CfSWI6 leads to impaired hyphal development, conidiation, and compromised cell wall integrity, resulting in a significant reduction in virulence. Transcriptome analysis revealed the involvement of CfSWI6 in various pathways, including the MAPK pathway, DNA synthesis and stress response. ChIP-seq data provided predictions of potential target genes regulated by CfSwi6. Through yeast one-hybrid, we confirmed the direct binding of CfSwi6 to the promoter of the chitin synthetase gene. In summary, these findings indicated that CfSwi6 plays an important role in the growth, development, and pathogenicity of C. fimbriata. This study provides new insights into the pathogenic mechanism of C. fimbriata in sweet potato and inspires potential strategies to control sweet potato black rot.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Cong
- The Key Laboratory of Biotechnology for Medicinal and Edible Plant Resources of Jiangsu Province, School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221116, China
| | - Yong Sun
- The Key Laboratory of Biotechnology for Medicinal and Edible Plant Resources of Jiangsu Province, School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221116, China
| | - Changgen Li
- The Key Laboratory of Biotechnology for Medicinal and Edible Plant Resources of Jiangsu Province, School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221116, China
| | - Yongjing Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Biotechnology for Medicinal and Edible Plant Resources of Jiangsu Province, School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221116, China
| | - Yiming Wang
- The Key Laboratory of Biotechnology for Medicinal and Edible Plant Resources of Jiangsu Province, School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221116, China
| | - Daifu Ma
- Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences Sweet Potato Research Institute, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221131, China
| | - Jihong Jiang
- The Key Laboratory of Biotechnology for Medicinal and Edible Plant Resources of Jiangsu Province, School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221116, China
| | - Lianwei Li
- The Key Laboratory of Biotechnology for Medicinal and Edible Plant Resources of Jiangsu Province, School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221116, China.
| | - Ludan Li
- The Key Laboratory of Biotechnology for Medicinal and Edible Plant Resources of Jiangsu Province, School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221116, China.
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Chauhan S, Rajam MV. Host RNAi-mediated silencing of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici specific-fasciclin-like protein genes provides improved resistance to Fusarium wilt in Solanum lycopersicum. PLANTA 2024; 259:79. [PMID: 38431538 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-024-04360-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
MAIN CONCLUSION Tomato transgenics expressing dsRNA against FoFLPs act as biofungicides and result in enhanced disease resistance upon Fol infection, by downregulating the endogenous gene expression levels of FoFLPs within Fol. Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici (Fol) hijacks plant immunity by colonizing within the host and further instigating secondary infection causing vascular wilt disease in tomato that leads to significant yield loss. Here, RNA interference (RNAi) technology was used to determine its potential in enduring resistance against Fusarium wilt in tomato. To gain resistance against Fol infection, host-induced gene silencing (HIGS) of Fol-specific genes encoding for fasciclin-like proteins (FoFLPs) was done by generating tomato transgenics harbouring FoFLP1, FoFLP4 and FoFLP5 RNAi constructs confirmed by southern hybridizations. These tomato transgenics were screened for stable siRNA production in T0 and T1 lines using northern hybridizations. This confirmed stable dsRNAhp expression in tomato transgenics and suggested durable trait heritability in the subsequent progenies. FoFLP-specific siRNAs producing T1 tomato progenies were further selected to ascertain its disease resistance ability using seedling infection assays. We observed a significant reduction in FoFLP1, FoFLP4 and FoFLP5 transcript levels in Fol, upon infecting their respective RNAi tomato transgenic lines. Moreover, tomato transgenic lines, expressing intended siRNA molecules in the T1 generation, exhibit delayed disease onset with improved resistance. Furthermore, reduced fungal colonization was observed in the roots of Fol-infected T1 tomato progenies, without altering the plant photosynthetic efficiency of transgenic plants. These results substantiate the cross-kingdom dsRNA or siRNA delivery from transgenic tomato to Fol, leading to enhanced resistance against Fusarium wilt disease. The results also demonstrated that HIGS is a successful approach in rendering resistance to Fol infection in tomato plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sambhavana Chauhan
- Department of Genetics, University of Delhi South Campus, Benito Juarez Marg, New Delhi, 110021, India
| | - Manchikatla Venkat Rajam
- Department of Genetics, University of Delhi South Campus, Benito Juarez Marg, New Delhi, 110021, India.
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Gao D, Abdullah S, Baldwin T, Caspersen A, Williams E, Carlson A, Petersen M, Hu G, Klos KE, Bregitzer P. Agrobacterium-mediated transfer of the Fusarium graminearum Tri6 gene into barley using mature seed-derived shoot tips as explants. PLANT CELL REPORTS 2024; 43:40. [PMID: 38244048 PMCID: PMC10799836 DOI: 10.1007/s00299-023-03129-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
KEY MESSAGE We transferred the Tri6 gene into the elite barley GemCraft via new transformation method through shoot organogenesis and identified the rearrangements of transgenes and phenotypic variations in the transgenic plants. Despite its agronomic and economic importance, barley transformation is still very challenging for many elite varieties. In this study, we used direct shoot organogenesis to transform the elite barley cultivar GemCraft with the RNAi constructs containing Tri6 gene of Fusarium graminearum, which causes fusarium head blight (FHB). We isolated 4432 shoot tips and co-cultured these explants with Agrobacterium tumefaciens. A total of 25 independent T0 transgenic plants were generated including 15 events for which transgene-specific PCR amplicons were observed. To further determine the presence of transgenes, the T1 progenies of all 15 T0 plants were analyzed, and the expected PCR products were obtained in 10 T1 lines. Droplet digital (dd) PCR analysis revealed various copy numbers of transgenes in the transgenic plants. We determined the insertion site of transgenes using long-read sequencing data and observed the rearrangements of transgenes. We found phenotypic variations in both T1 and T2 generation plants. FHB disease was evaluated under growth chamber conditions, but no significant differences in disease severity or deoxynivalenol accumulation were observed between two Tri6 transgenic lines and the wildtype. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of the shoot tip transformation and may open the door for applying this system for genetic improvement and gene function research in other barley genotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongying Gao
- Small Grains and Potato Germplasm Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Aberdeen, ID, 83210, USA.
| | - Sidrat Abdullah
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) Research Participant, Small Grains and Potato Germplasm Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Aberdeen, ID, 83210, USA
| | - Thomas Baldwin
- Department of Plant Pathology, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, 58108, USA
| | - Ann Caspersen
- Small Grains and Potato Germplasm Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Aberdeen, ID, 83210, USA
| | - Edward Williams
- Wisconsin Crop Innovation Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Middleton, WI, 53562, USA
| | - Alvar Carlson
- Wisconsin Crop Innovation Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Middleton, WI, 53562, USA
| | - Mike Petersen
- Wisconsin Crop Innovation Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Middleton, WI, 53562, USA
| | - Gongshe Hu
- Small Grains and Potato Germplasm Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Aberdeen, ID, 83210, USA
| | - Kathy Esvelt Klos
- Small Grains and Potato Germplasm Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Aberdeen, ID, 83210, USA
| | - Phil Bregitzer
- Small Grains and Potato Germplasm Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Aberdeen, ID, 83210, USA
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10
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Chen X, Liu C, Wang H, Liu Q, Yue Y, Duan Y, Wang Z, Zheng L, Chen X, Wang Y, Huang J, Xu Q, Pan Y. Ustilaginoidea virens-secreted effector Uv1809 suppresses rice immunity by enhancing OsSRT2-mediated histone deacetylation. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2024; 22:148-164. [PMID: 37715970 PMCID: PMC10754013 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.14174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/18/2023]
Abstract
Rice false smut caused by Ustilaginoidea virens is a devastating rice (Oryza sativa) disease worldwide. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying U. virens-rice interactions are largely unknown. In this study, we identified a secreted protein, Uv1809, as a key virulence factor. Heterologous expression of Uv1809 in rice enhanced susceptibility to rice false smut and bacterial blight. Host-induced gene silencing of Uv1809 in rice enhanced resistance to U. virens, suggesting that Uv1809 inhibits rice immunity and promotes infection by U. virens. Uv1809 suppresses rice immunity by targeting and enhancing rice histone deacetylase OsSRT2-mediated histone deacetylation, thereby reducing H4K5ac and H4K8ac levels and interfering with the transcriptional activation of defence genes. CRISPR-Cas9 edited ossrt2 mutants showed no adverse effects in terms of growth and yield but displayed broad-spectrum resistance to rice pathogens, revealing a potentially valuable genetic resource for breeding disease resistance. Our study provides insight into defence mechanisms against plant pathogens that inactivate plant immunity at the epigenetic level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyang Chen
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Crop Integrated Pest ManagementAnhui Agricultural UniversityHefeiChina
| | - Chen Liu
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Crop Integrated Pest ManagementAnhui Agricultural UniversityHefeiChina
| | - Hailin Wang
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Crop Integrated Pest ManagementAnhui Agricultural UniversityHefeiChina
| | - Qi Liu
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Crop Integrated Pest ManagementAnhui Agricultural UniversityHefeiChina
| | - Yaping Yue
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic ImprovementHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Yuhang Duan
- The Key Lab of Plant Pathology of Hubei ProvinceHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Zhaoyun Wang
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Crop Integrated Pest ManagementAnhui Agricultural UniversityHefeiChina
| | - Lu Zheng
- The Key Lab of Plant Pathology of Hubei ProvinceHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Xiaolin Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural MicrobiologyHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Yaohui Wang
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Crop Integrated Pest ManagementAnhui Agricultural UniversityHefeiChina
- Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant SciencesChinese Academy of SciencesShanghaiChina
| | - Junbin Huang
- The Key Lab of Plant Pathology of Hubei ProvinceHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Qiutao Xu
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic ImprovementHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Yuemin Pan
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Crop Integrated Pest ManagementAnhui Agricultural UniversityHefeiChina
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11
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Yang P, Liu W, Yuan P, Zhao Z, Zhang C, Opiyo SO, Adhikari A, Zhao L, Harsh G, Xia Y. Plant Growth Promotion and Stress Tolerance Enhancement through Inoculation with Bacillus proteolyticus OSUB18. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:1495. [PMID: 38132321 PMCID: PMC10740446 DOI: 10.3390/biology12121495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 12/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
The isolation of B. proteolyticus OSUB18 from switchgrass unveiled its significant potential in both the enhancement of plant growth and the suppression of plant diseases in our previous study. The elucidation of the related mechanisms governing this intricate plant-microbe interaction involved the utilization of the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. In our comprehensive study on Arabidopsis, OSUB18 treatment was found to significantly alter root architecture and enhance plant growth under various abiotic stresses. An RNA-seq analysis revealed that OSUB18 modified gene expression, notably upregulating the genes involved in glucosinolate biosynthesis and plant defense, while downregulating those related to flavonoid biosynthesis and wound response. Importantly, OSUB18 also induces systemic resistance in Arabidopsis against a spectrum of bacterial and fungal pathogens and exhibits antagonistic effects on phytopathogenic bacteria, fungi, and oomycetes, highlighting its potential as a beneficial agent in plant stress management and pathogen resistance. Overall, our findings substantiate that OSUB18 exerts a stimulatory influence on plant growth and health, potentially attributed to the remodeling of root architecture, defense signaling, and the comprehensive mitigation of various biotic and abiotic stresses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piao Yang
- Department of Plant Pathology, College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; (P.Y.); (W.L.); (P.Y.); (Z.Z.); (S.O.O.); (A.A.); (L.Z.); (G.H.)
| | - Wenshan Liu
- Department of Plant Pathology, College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; (P.Y.); (W.L.); (P.Y.); (Z.Z.); (S.O.O.); (A.A.); (L.Z.); (G.H.)
| | - Pu Yuan
- Department of Plant Pathology, College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; (P.Y.); (W.L.); (P.Y.); (Z.Z.); (S.O.O.); (A.A.); (L.Z.); (G.H.)
| | - Zhenzhen Zhao
- Department of Plant Pathology, College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; (P.Y.); (W.L.); (P.Y.); (Z.Z.); (S.O.O.); (A.A.); (L.Z.); (G.H.)
| | - Chunquan Zhang
- College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences, Alcorn State University, 1000 ASU Dr. #690, Lorman, MS 39096, USA;
| | - Stephen Obol Opiyo
- Department of Plant Pathology, College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; (P.Y.); (W.L.); (P.Y.); (Z.Z.); (S.O.O.); (A.A.); (L.Z.); (G.H.)
| | - Ashna Adhikari
- Department of Plant Pathology, College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; (P.Y.); (W.L.); (P.Y.); (Z.Z.); (S.O.O.); (A.A.); (L.Z.); (G.H.)
| | - Lijing Zhao
- Department of Plant Pathology, College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; (P.Y.); (W.L.); (P.Y.); (Z.Z.); (S.O.O.); (A.A.); (L.Z.); (G.H.)
| | - Garrett Harsh
- Department of Plant Pathology, College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; (P.Y.); (W.L.); (P.Y.); (Z.Z.); (S.O.O.); (A.A.); (L.Z.); (G.H.)
| | - Ye Xia
- Department of Plant Pathology, College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; (P.Y.); (W.L.); (P.Y.); (Z.Z.); (S.O.O.); (A.A.); (L.Z.); (G.H.)
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12
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Moonjely S, Ebert M, Paton-Glassbrook D, Noel ZA, Roze L, Shay R, Watkins T, Trail F. Update on the state of research to manage Fusarium head blight. Fungal Genet Biol 2023; 169:103829. [PMID: 37666446 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2023.103829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
Fusarium head blight (FHB) is one of the most devastating diseases of cereal crops, causing severe reduction in yield and quality of grain worldwide. In the United States, the major causal agent of FHB is the mycotoxigenic fungus, Fusarium graminearum. The contamination of grain with mycotoxins, including deoxynivalenol and zearalenone, is a particularly serious concern due to its impact on the health of humans and livestock. For the past few decades, multidisciplinary studies have been conducted on management strategies designed to reduce the losses caused by FHB. However, effective management is still challenging due to the emergence of fungicide-tolerant strains of F. graminearum and the lack of highly resistant wheat and barley cultivars. This review presents multidisciplinary approaches that incorporate advances in genomics, genetic-engineering, new fungicide chemistries, applied biocontrol, and consideration of the disease cycle for management of FHB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soumya Moonjely
- Department of Plant Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48823, USA
| | - Malaika Ebert
- Department of Plant Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48823, USA
| | - Drew Paton-Glassbrook
- Department of Plant Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48823, USA; Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48823, USA
| | - Zachary A Noel
- Department of Plant Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48823, USA
| | - Ludmila Roze
- Department of Plant Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48823, USA
| | - Rebecca Shay
- Department of Plant Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48823, USA
| | - Tara Watkins
- Department of Plant Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48823, USA; Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48823, USA
| | - Frances Trail
- Department of Plant Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48823, USA; Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48823, USA.
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13
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Bhagta S, Bhardwaj V, Kant A. Exogenous dsRNA trigger RNAi in Venturia inaequalis resulting in down regulation of target genes and growth reduction. Mol Biol Rep 2023; 50:8421-8429. [PMID: 37620739 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-023-08736-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Venturia inaequalis is an apple scab causing fungal pathogen. It is a highly contagious and destructive pathogen which rapidly spreads infection in the surrounding orchards if not managed. The management and control of disease require multiple fungicides to be sprayed at different development stages of the apple. Persistent applications of fungicides also raises environmental concerns. Here, we demonstrate the potential of using spray induced gene silencing (SIGS) by developing target specific gene constructs for the synthesis of corresponding double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). METHODS AND RESULTS The exogenous application of dsRNAs was found to reduce mycelial growth and spore formation of V. inaequalis on culture plates. Four genes of V. inaequalis viz. CIN1, CE5, VICE12 and VICE16 which get upregulated during infection, were selected as targets for the development of gene construct expressing the corresponding dsRNA. The effect of exogenously supplied in vitro synthesized dsRNA on V. inaequalis was assessed in culture bioassay experiments with respect to growth, and spore formation. The expression level of the target genes in treated and control fungus was evaluated using quantitative PCR. Fungus treated with VICE12 targeted dsRNA showed maximum reduction in colony size (~ 55%), conidia formation (~ 93%) and expression level of the corresponding gene (2.2 fold), which was followed by CIN1-dsRNA. VICE16-dsRNA treatment was least effective with 32% reduction in growth, the non-significant effect of conidial spore formation and 1.13 fold down regulation of corresponding target gene expression level. CONCLUSION The result of this investigation validates the hypothesis that RNAi is evoked in V. inaequalis by exogenously supplied dsRNA and spray induced gene silencing (SIGS) based solutions may reduce burden of fungicide usage on apple crop against apple scab disease in future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suhani Bhagta
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Jaypee University of Information Technology, Waknaghat, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, 173234, India
- ICAR-Central Potato Research Institute, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, 171001, India
| | - Vinay Bhardwaj
- ICAR-Central Potato Research Institute, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, 171001, India
| | - Anil Kant
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Jaypee University of Information Technology, Waknaghat, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, 173234, India.
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14
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Hao G, Naumann TA, Chen H, Bai G, McCormick S, Kim HS, Tian B, Trick HN, Naldrett MJ, Proctor R. Fusarium graminearum Effector FgNls1 Targets Plant Nuclei to Induce Wheat Head Blight. MOLECULAR PLANT-MICROBE INTERACTIONS : MPMI 2023; 36:478-488. [PMID: 36853197 DOI: 10.1094/mpmi-12-22-0254-r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Fusarium head blight (FHB) caused by Fusarium graminearum is one of the most devastating diseases of wheat and barley worldwide. Effectors suppress host immunity and promote disease development. The genome of F. graminearum contains hundreds of effectors with unknown function. Therefore, investigations of the functions of these effectors will facilitate developing novel strategies to enhance wheat resistance to FHB. We characterized a F. graminearum effector, FgNls1, containing a signal peptide and multiple eukaryotic nuclear localization signals. A fusion protein of green fluorescent protein and FgNls1 accumulated in plant cell nuclei when transiently expressed in Nicotiana benthamiana. FgNls1 suppressed Bax-induced cell death when co-expressed in N. benthamiana. We revealed that the expression of FgNLS1 was induced in wheat spikes infected with F. graminearum. The Fgnls1 mutants significantly reduced initial infection and FHB spread within a spike. The function of FgNLS1 was restored in the Fgnls1-complemented strains. Wheat histone 2B was identified as an interacting protein by FgNls1-affinity chromatography. Furthermore, transgenic wheat plants that silence FgNLS1 expression had significantly lower FHB severity than control plants. This study demonstrates a critical role of FgNls1 in F. graminearum pathogenesis and indicates that host-induced gene silencing targeting F. graminearum effectors is a promising approach to enhance FHB resistance. [Formula: see text] Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guixia Hao
- USDA, Agricultural Research Service, National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, Mycotoxin Prevention and Applied Microbiology Research Unit, 1815 N. University, Peoria, IL 61604, U.S.A
| | - Todd A Naumann
- USDA, Agricultural Research Service, National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, Mycotoxin Prevention and Applied Microbiology Research Unit, 1815 N. University, Peoria, IL 61604, U.S.A
| | - Hui Chen
- Department of Agronomy, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, U.S.A
| | - Guihua Bai
- Department of Agronomy, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, U.S.A
- USDA-ARS, Hard Winter Wheat Genetics Research Unit, Manhattan, KS 66506, U.S.A
| | - Susan McCormick
- USDA, Agricultural Research Service, National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, Mycotoxin Prevention and Applied Microbiology Research Unit, 1815 N. University, Peoria, IL 61604, U.S.A
| | - Hye-Seon Kim
- USDA, Agricultural Research Service, National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, Mycotoxin Prevention and Applied Microbiology Research Unit, 1815 N. University, Peoria, IL 61604, U.S.A
| | - Bin Tian
- Department of Plant Pathology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, U.S.A
| | - Harold N Trick
- Department of Plant Pathology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, U.S.A
| | - Michael J Naldrett
- Nebraska Center for Biotechnology, Beadle Center, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588, U.S.A
| | - Robert Proctor
- USDA, Agricultural Research Service, National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, Mycotoxin Prevention and Applied Microbiology Research Unit, 1815 N. University, Peoria, IL 61604, U.S.A
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15
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Luo K, Guo J, He D, Li G, Ouellet T. Deoxynivalenol accumulation and detoxification in cereals and its potential role in wheat- Fusarium graminearum interactions. ABIOTECH 2023; 4:155-171. [PMID: 37581023 PMCID: PMC10423186 DOI: 10.1007/s42994-023-00096-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023]
Abstract
Deoxynivalenol (DON) is a prominent mycotoxin showing significant accumulation in cereal plants during infection by the phytopathogen Fusarium graminearum. It is a virulence factor that is important in the spread of F. graminearum within cereal heads, and it causes serious yield losses and significant contamination of cereal grains. In recent decades, genetic and genomic studies have facilitated the characterization of the molecular pathways of DON biosynthesis in F. graminearum and the environmental factors that influence DON accumulation. In addition, diverse scab resistance traits related to the repression of DON accumulation in plants have been identified, and experimental studies of wheat-pathogen interactions have contributed to understanding detoxification mechanisms in host plants. The present review illustrates and summarizes the molecular networks of DON mycotoxin production in F. graminearum and the methods of DON detoxification in plants based on the current literature, which provides molecular targets for crop improvement programs. This review also comprehensively discusses recent advances and challenges related to genetic engineering-mediated cultivar improvements to strengthen scab resistance. Furthermore, ongoing advancements in genetic engineering will enable the application of these molecular targets to develop more scab-resistant wheat cultivars with DON detoxification traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Luo
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Jujube, College of Life Science, Yan’an University, Yan’an, 716000 China
| | - Jiao Guo
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Jujube, College of Life Science, Yan’an University, Yan’an, 716000 China
| | - Dejia He
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Jujube, College of Life Science, Yan’an University, Yan’an, 716000 China
| | - Guangwei Li
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Jujube, College of Life Science, Yan’an University, Yan’an, 716000 China
| | - Thérèse Ouellet
- Ottawa Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 960 Carling Ave, Ottawa, ON K1A 0C6 Canada
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Padilla-Roji I, Ruiz-Jiménez L, Bakhat N, Vielba-Fernández A, Pérez-García A, Fernández-Ortuño D. RNAi Technology: A New Path for the Research and Management of Obligate Biotrophic Phytopathogenic Fungi. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24109082. [PMID: 37240427 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24109082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Powdery mildew and rust fungi are major agricultural problems affecting many economically important crops and causing significant yield losses. These fungi are obligate biotrophic parasites that are completely dependent on their hosts for growth and reproduction. Biotrophy in these fungi is determined by the presence of haustoria, specialized fungal cells that are responsible for nutrient uptake and molecular dialogue with the host, a fact that undoubtedly complicates their study under laboratory conditions, especially in terms of genetic manipulation. RNA interference (RNAi) is the biological process of suppressing the expression of a target gene through double-stranded RNA that induces mRNA degradation. RNAi technology has revolutionized the study of these obligate biotrophic fungi by enabling the analysis of gene function in these fungal. More importantly, RNAi technology has opened new perspectives for the management of powdery mildew and rust diseases, first through the stable expression of RNAi constructs in transgenic plants and, more recently, through the non-transgenic approach called spray-induced gene silencing (SIGS). In this review, the impact of RNAi technology on the research and management of powdery mildew and rust fungi will be addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Padilla-Roji
- Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Málaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain
- Instituto de Hortofruticultura Subtropical y Mediterránea "La Mayora", Universidad de Málaga, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IHSM-UMA-CSIC), 29071 Málaga, Spain
| | - Laura Ruiz-Jiménez
- Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Málaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain
- Instituto de Hortofruticultura Subtropical y Mediterránea "La Mayora", Universidad de Málaga, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IHSM-UMA-CSIC), 29071 Málaga, Spain
| | - Nisrine Bakhat
- Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Málaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain
- Instituto de Hortofruticultura Subtropical y Mediterránea "La Mayora", Universidad de Málaga, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IHSM-UMA-CSIC), 29071 Málaga, Spain
| | - Alejandra Vielba-Fernández
- Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Málaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain
- Instituto de Hortofruticultura Subtropical y Mediterránea "La Mayora", Universidad de Málaga, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IHSM-UMA-CSIC), 29071 Málaga, Spain
| | - Alejandro Pérez-García
- Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Málaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain
- Instituto de Hortofruticultura Subtropical y Mediterránea "La Mayora", Universidad de Málaga, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IHSM-UMA-CSIC), 29071 Málaga, Spain
| | - Dolores Fernández-Ortuño
- Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Málaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain
- Instituto de Hortofruticultura Subtropical y Mediterránea "La Mayora", Universidad de Málaga, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IHSM-UMA-CSIC), 29071 Málaga, Spain
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Raruang Y, Omolehin O, Hu D, Wei Q, Promyou S, Parekattil LJ, Rajasekaran K, Cary JW, Wang K, Chen ZY. Targeting the Aspergillus flavus p2c gene through host-induced gene silencing reduces A. flavus infection and aflatoxin contamination in transgenic maize. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1150086. [PMID: 37229129 PMCID: PMC10203651 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1150086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Aspergillus flavus is an opportunistic fungal pathogen that infects maize and produces aflatoxins. Using biocontrol or developing resistant cultivars to reduce aflatoxin contamination has only achieved limited success. Here, the A. flavus polygalacturonase gene (p2c) was targeted for suppression through host-induced gene silencing (HIGS) to reduce aflatoxin contamination in maize. An RNAi vector carrying a portion of the p2c gene was constructed and transformed into maize B104. Thirteen out of fifteen independent transformation events were confirmed to contain p2c. The T2 generation kernels containing the p2c transgene had less aflatoxin than those without the transgene in six out of eleven events we examined. Homozygous T3 transgenic kernels from four events produced significantly less aflatoxins (P ≤ 0.02) than the kernels from the null or B104 controls under field inoculation conditions. The F1 kernels from the crosses between six elite inbred lines with P2c5 and P2c13 also supported significantly less aflatoxins (P ≤ 0.02) than those from the crosses with null plants. The reduction in aflatoxin ranged from 93.7% to 30.3%. Transgenic leaf (T0 and T3) and kernel tissues (T4) were also found to have significantly higher levels of p2c gene-specific small RNAs. Further, homozygous transgenic maize kernels had significantly less fungal growth (27~40 fold) than the null control kernels 10 days after fungal inoculation in the field. The calculated suppression of p2c gene expression based on RNAseq data was 57.6% and 83.0% in P2c5 and P2c13 events, respectively. These results indicate clearly that the reduced aflatoxin production in the transgenic kernels is due to RNAi-based suppression of p2c expression, which results in reduced fungal growth and toxin production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yenjit Raruang
- Department of Plant Pathology and Crop Physiology, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge, LA, United States
| | - Olanike Omolehin
- Department of Plant Pathology and Crop Physiology, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge, LA, United States
| | - Dongfang Hu
- Department of Plant Pathology and Crop Physiology, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge, LA, United States
| | - Qijian Wei
- Food and Feed Safety Research Unit, United States Department of Agriculture – Agricultural Research Service, Southern Regional Research Center, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Surassawadee Promyou
- Faculty of Natural Resources and Agro-Industry, Kasetsart University, Sakonnakhon, Thailand
| | - Lidiya J. Parekattil
- Department of Plant Pathology and Crop Physiology, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge, LA, United States
| | - Kanniah Rajasekaran
- Food and Feed Safety Research Unit, United States Department of Agriculture – Agricultural Research Service, Southern Regional Research Center, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Jeffrey W. Cary
- Food and Feed Safety Research Unit, United States Department of Agriculture – Agricultural Research Service, Southern Regional Research Center, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Kan Wang
- Department of Agronomy, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States
| | - Zhi-Yuan Chen
- Department of Plant Pathology and Crop Physiology, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge, LA, United States
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18
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Wang S, Xie X, Che X, Lai W, Ren Y, Fan X, Hu W, Tang M, Chen H. Host- and virus-induced gene silencing of HOG1-MAPK cascade genes in Rhizophagus irregularis inhibit arbuscule development and reduce resistance of plants to drought stress. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2023; 21:866-883. [PMID: 36609693 PMCID: PMC10037146 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.14006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi can form beneficial associations with the most terrestrial vascular plant species. AM fungi not only facilitate plant nutrient acquisition but also enhance plant tolerance to various environmental stresses such as drought stress. However, the molecular mechanisms by which AM fungal mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades mediate the host adaptation to drought stimulus remains to be investigated. Recently, many studies have shown that virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) and host-induced gene silencing (HIGS) strategies are used for functional studies of AM fungi. Here, we identify the three HOG1 (High Osmolarity Glycerol 1)-MAPK cascade genes RiSte11, RiPbs2 and RiHog1 from Rhizophagus irregularis. The expression levels of the three HOG1-MAPK genes are significantly increased in mycorrhizal roots of the plant Astragalus sinicus under severe drought stress. RiHog1 protein was predominantly localized in the nucleus of yeast in response to 1 M sorbitol treatment, and RiPbs2 interacts with RiSte11 or RiHog1 directly by pull-down assay. Importantly, VIGS or HIGS of RiSte11, RiPbs2 or RiHog1 hampers arbuscule development and decreases relative water content in plants during AM symbiosis. Moreover, silencing of HOG1-MAPK cascade genes led to the decreased expression of drought-resistant genes (RiAQPs, RiTPSs, RiNTH1 and Ri14-3-3) in the AM fungal symbiont in response to drought stress. Taken together, this study demonstrates that VIGS or HIGS of AM fungal HOG1-MAPK cascade inhibits arbuscule development and expression of AM fungal drought-resistant genes under drought stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sijia Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro‐Bioresources, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangdong Key Laboratory for Innovative Development and Utilization of Forest Plant Germplasm, College of Forestry and Landscape ArchitectureSouth China Agricultural UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Xianan Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro‐Bioresources, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangdong Key Laboratory for Innovative Development and Utilization of Forest Plant Germplasm, College of Forestry and Landscape ArchitectureSouth China Agricultural UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Xianrong Che
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro‐Bioresources, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangdong Key Laboratory for Innovative Development and Utilization of Forest Plant Germplasm, College of Forestry and Landscape ArchitectureSouth China Agricultural UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Wenzhen Lai
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro‐Bioresources, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangdong Key Laboratory for Innovative Development and Utilization of Forest Plant Germplasm, College of Forestry and Landscape ArchitectureSouth China Agricultural UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Ying Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro‐Bioresources, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangdong Key Laboratory for Innovative Development and Utilization of Forest Plant Germplasm, College of Forestry and Landscape ArchitectureSouth China Agricultural UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Xiaoning Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro‐Bioresources, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangdong Key Laboratory for Innovative Development and Utilization of Forest Plant Germplasm, College of Forestry and Landscape ArchitectureSouth China Agricultural UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Wentao Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro‐Bioresources, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangdong Key Laboratory for Innovative Development and Utilization of Forest Plant Germplasm, College of Forestry and Landscape ArchitectureSouth China Agricultural UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Ming Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro‐Bioresources, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangdong Key Laboratory for Innovative Development and Utilization of Forest Plant Germplasm, College of Forestry and Landscape ArchitectureSouth China Agricultural UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Hui Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro‐Bioresources, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangdong Key Laboratory for Innovative Development and Utilization of Forest Plant Germplasm, College of Forestry and Landscape ArchitectureSouth China Agricultural UniversityGuangzhouChina
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Volatiles from Pseudomonas palleroniana Strain B-BH16-1 Suppress Aflatoxin Production and Growth of Aspergillus flavus on Coix lacryma-jobi during Storage. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:toxins15010077. [PMID: 36668896 PMCID: PMC9861347 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15010077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Semen coicis is not only a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), but also a typical food in China, with significant medical and healthcare value. Because semen coicis is rich in starch and oil, it can be easily contaminated with Aspergillus flavus and its aflatoxins (AFs). Preventing and controlling the contamination of semen coicis with Aspergillus flavus and its aflatoxins is vital to ensuring its safety as a drug and as a food. In this study, the endosphere bacteria Pseudomonas palleroniana strain B-BH16-1 produced volatiles that strongly inhibited the mycelial growth and spore formation activity of A. flavus. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry profiling revealed three volatiles emitted from B-BH16-1, of which 1-undecene was the most abundant. We obtained authentic reference standards for these three volatiles; these significantly reduced mycelial growth and sporulation in Aspergillus, with dimethyl disulfide showing the most robust inhibitory activity. Strain B-BH16-1 was able to completely inhibit the biosynthesis of aflatoxins in semen coicis samples during storage by emitting volatile bioactive components. The microscope revealed severely damaged mycelia and a complete lack of sporulation. This newly identified plant endophyte bacterium was able to strongly inhibit the sporulation and growth of Aspergillus and the synthesis of associated mycotoxins, thus not only providing valuable information regarding an efficient potential strategy for the prevention of A. flavus contamination in TCM and food, but potentially also serving as a reference in the control of toxic fungi.
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Chen A, Ren Y, Han X, Liu C, Zhou Y, Xu C, Qi H, Ma Z, Chen Y. The COP9 signalosome complex regulates fungal development and virulence in the wheat scab fungus Fusarium graminearum. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1179676. [PMID: 37168110 PMCID: PMC10165099 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1179676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The COP9 signalosome (Csn) complex is an evolutionarily conserved complex that regulates various important cellular processes. However, the function of the Csn complex in pathogenic fungi remains elusive. Here, the distribution of Csn subunits in the fungal kingdom was surveyed, and their biological functions were systematically characterized in the fungal pathogen Fusarium graminearum, which is among the top 10 plant fungal pathogens. The results obtained from bioinformatic analyses suggested that the F. graminearum Csn complex consisted of seven subunits (Csn1-Csn7) and that Csn5 was the most conserved subunit across the fungi kingdom. Yeast two-hybrid assays demonstrated that the seven Csn subunits formed a complex in F. graminearum. The Csn complex was localized to both the nucleus and cytoplasm and necessary for hyphal growth, asexual and sexual development and stress response. Transcriptome profiling revealed that the Csn complex regulated the transcription abundance of TRI genes necessary for mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON) biosynthesis, subsequently regulating DON production to control fungal virulence. Collectively, the roles of the Csn complex in F. graminearum were comprehensively analyzed, providing new insights into the functions of the Csn complex in fungal virulence and suggesting that the complex may be a potential target for combating fungal diseases.
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Bharathi JK, Anandan R, Benjamin LK, Muneer S, Prakash MAS. Recent trends and advances of RNA interference (RNAi) to improve agricultural crops and enhance their resilience to biotic and abiotic stresses. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY : PPB 2023; 194:600-618. [PMID: 36529010 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2022.11.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Over the last two decades, significant advances have been made using genetic engineering technology to modify genes from various exotic origins and introduce them into plants to induce favorable traits. RNA interference (RNAi) was discovered earlier as a natural process for controlling the expression of genes across all higher species. It aims to enhance precision and accuracy in pest/pathogen resistance, quality improvement, and manipulating the architecture of plants. However, it existed as a widely used technique recently. RNAi technologies could well be used to down-regulate any genes' expression without disrupting the expression of other genes. The use of RNA interference to silence genes in various organisms has become the preferred method for studying gene functions. The establishment of new approaches and applications for enhancing desirable characters is essential in crops by gene suppression and the refinement of knowledge of endogenous RNAi mechanisms in plants. RNAi technology in recent years has become an important and choicest method for controlling insects, pests, pathogens, and abiotic stresses like drought, salinity, and temperature. Although there are certain drawbacks in efficiency of this technology such as gene candidate selection, stability of trigger molecule, choice of target species and crops. Nevertheless, from past decade several target genes has been identified in numerous crops for their improvement towards biotic and abiotic stresses. The current review is aimed to emphasize the research done on crops under biotic and abiotic stress using RNAi technology. The review also highlights the gene regulatory pathways/gene silencing, RNA interference, RNAi knockdown, RNAi induced biotic and abiotic resistance and advancements in the understanding of RNAi technology and the functionality of various components of the RNAi machinery in crops for their improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jothi Kanmani Bharathi
- Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar, 608 002, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Ramaswamy Anandan
- Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar, 608 002, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Lincy Kirubhadharsini Benjamin
- Horticulture and Molecular Physiology Lab, School of Agricultural Innovations and Advanced Learning, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, 632014, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Sowbiya Muneer
- Horticulture and Molecular Physiology Lab, School of Agricultural Innovations and Advanced Learning, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, 632014, Tamil Nadu, India.
| | - Muthu Arjuna Samy Prakash
- Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar, 608 002, Tamil Nadu, India.
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Mapuranga J, Chang J, Zhang L, Zhang N, Yang W. Fungal Secondary Metabolites and Small RNAs Enhance Pathogenicity during Plant-Fungal Pathogen Interactions. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 9:4. [PMID: 36675825 PMCID: PMC9862911 DOI: 10.3390/jof9010004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Fungal plant pathogens use proteinaceous effectors as well as newly identified secondary metabolites (SMs) and small non-coding RNA (sRNA) effectors to manipulate the host plant's defense system via diverse plant cell compartments, distinct organelles, and many host genes. However, most molecular studies of plant-fungal interactions have focused on secreted effector proteins without exploring the possibly equivalent functions performed by fungal (SMs) and sRNAs, which are collectively known as "non-proteinaceous effectors". Fungal SMs have been shown to be generated throughout the plant colonization process, particularly in the early biotrophic stages of infection. The fungal repertoire of non-proteinaceous effectors has been broadened by the discovery of fungal sRNAs that specifically target plant genes involved in resistance and defense responses. Many RNAs, particularly sRNAs involved in gene silencing, have been shown to transmit bidirectionally between fungal pathogens and their hosts. However, there are no clear functional approaches to study the role of these SM and sRNA effectors. Undoubtedly, fungal SM and sRNA effectors are now a treasured land to seek. Therefore, understanding the role of fungal SM and sRNA effectors may provide insights into the infection process and identification of the interacting host genes that are targeted by these effectors. This review discusses the role of fungal SMs and sRNAs during plant-fungal interactions. It will also focus on the translocation of sRNA effectors across kingdoms, the application of cross-kingdom RNA interference in managing plant diseases and the tools that can be used to predict and study these non-proteinaceous effectors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Wenxiang Yang
- College of Plant Protection, Technological Innovation Center for Biological Control of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests of Hebei Province, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071001, China
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Maksimov IV, Shein MY, Burkhanova GF. RNA Interference in Plant Protection from Fungal and Oomycete Infection. APPL BIOCHEM MICRO+ 2022. [DOI: 10.1134/s0003683822100106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/01/2023]
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Ma H, Liu Y, Zhao X, Zhang S, Ma H. Exploring and applying genes to enhance the resistance to Fusarium head blight in wheat. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:1026611. [PMID: 36388594 PMCID: PMC9647131 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.1026611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Fusarium head blight (FHB) is a destructive disease in wheat worldwide. Fusarium graminearum species complex (FGSC) is the main causal pathogen causing severe damage to wheat with reduction in both grain yield and quality. Additionally, mycotoxins produced by the FHB pathogens are hazardous to the health of human and livestock. Large numbers of genes conferring FHB resistance to date have been characterized from wheat and its relatives, and some of them have been widely used in breeding and significantly improved the resistance to FHB in wheat. However, the disease spreads rapidly and has been severe due to the climate and cropping system changes in the last decade. It is an urgent necessity to explore and apply more genes related to FHB resistant for wheat breeding. In this review, we summarized the genes with FHB resistance and mycotoxin detoxication identified from common wheat and its relatives by using forward- and reverse-genetic approaches, and introduced the effects of such genes and the genes with FHB resistant from other plant species, and host-induced gene silencing (HIGS) in enhancing the resistance to FHB in wheat. We also outlined the molecular rationale of the resistance and the application of the cloned genes for FHB control. Finally, we discussed the future challenges and opportunities in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haigang Ma
- *Correspondence: Haigang Ma, ; Hongxiang Ma,
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Host-induced gene silencing of PcCesA3 and PcOSBP1 confers resistance to Phytophthora capsici in Nicotiana benthamiana through NbDCL3 and NbDCL4 processed small interfering RNAs. Int J Biol Macromol 2022; 222:1665-1675. [PMID: 36167102 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.09.178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Host-induced gene silencing (HIGS) is a RNA-based system depend on the biological macromolecules generated in plants to control diseases. However, the effector proteins active in the HIGS are uncertain, which impedes its further application, especially for oomycete that lack efficient HIGS targets. Phytophthora capsici is an important oomycete causes blight in over 70 crops. Here, we comprehensively screened efficient HIGS vectors targeting PcCesA3 or PcOSBP1 in P. capsici to better control it and explore the characteristics of efficient HIGS vectors. Among the 26 vectors with different lengths and structures, we found that hairpin vectors with a 70 nt loop and ~ 500 bp stem showed the highest control efficacy, with the expressing of the screened vectors, the infection and fertility of P. capsici were greatly inhibited in transgenic Nicotiana benthamiana. Based on these efficient vectors, we demonstrated that the amount of HIGS vector generated small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) was positively related to gene silencing efficiency and resistance, and that NbDCL3 and NbDCL4 were the key effectors producing siRNAs. This work discovers the principles for efficient HIGS vectors design, and elucidates the molecular mechanism of HIGS, which could benefit the control of many other plant diseases based on HIGS.
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Ray P, Sahu D, Aminedi R, Chandran D. Concepts and considerations for enhancing RNAi efficiency in phytopathogenic fungi for RNAi-based crop protection using nanocarrier-mediated dsRNA delivery systems. FRONTIERS IN FUNGAL BIOLOGY 2022; 3:977502. [PMID: 37746174 PMCID: PMC10512274 DOI: 10.3389/ffunb.2022.977502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Existing, emerging, and reemerging strains of phytopathogenic fungi pose a significant threat to agricultural productivity globally. This risk is further exacerbated by the lack of resistance source(s) in plants or a breakdown of resistance by pathogens through co-evolution. In recent years, attenuation of essential pathogen gene(s) via double-stranded (ds) RNA-mediated RNA interference (RNAi) in host plants, a phenomenon known as host-induced gene silencing, has gained significant attention as a way to combat pathogen attack. Yet, due to biosafety concerns regarding transgenics, country-specific GMO legislation has limited the practical application of desirable attributes in plants. The topical application of dsRNA/siRNA targeting essential fungal gene(s) through spray-induced gene silencing (SIGS) on host plants has opened up a transgene-free avenue for crop protection. However, several factors influence the outcome of RNAi, including but not limited to RNAi mechanism in plant/fungi, dsRNA/siRNA uptake efficiency, dsRNA/siRNA design parameters, dsRNA stability and delivery strategy, off-target effects, etc. This review emphasizes the significance of these factors and suggests appropriate measures to consider while designing in silico and in vitro experiments for successful RNAi in open-field conditions. We also highlight prospective nanoparticles as smart delivery vehicles for deploying RNAi molecules in plant systems for long-term crop protection and ecosystem compatibility. Lastly, we provide specific directions for future investigations that focus on blending nanotechnology and RNAi-based fungal control for practical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Poonam Ray
- Laboratory of Plant-Microbe Interactions, Regional Centre for Biotechnology, NCR Biotech Science Cluster, Faridabad, India
| | - Debashish Sahu
- Laboratory of Plant-Microbe Interactions, Regional Centre for Biotechnology, NCR Biotech Science Cluster, Faridabad, India
| | - Raghavendra Aminedi
- Division of Genomic Resources, ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, New Delhi, India
| | - Divya Chandran
- Laboratory of Plant-Microbe Interactions, Regional Centre for Biotechnology, NCR Biotech Science Cluster, Faridabad, India
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Chen X, Duan Y, Qiao F, Liu H, Huang J, Luo C, Chen X, Li G, Xie K, Hsiang T, Zheng L. A secreted fungal effector suppresses rice immunity through host histone hypoacetylation. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2022; 235:1977-1994. [PMID: 35592995 DOI: 10.1111/nph.18265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2022] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Histone acetylation is a critical epigenetic modification that regulates plant immunity. Fungal pathogens secrete effectors that modulate host immunity and facilitate infection, but whether fungal pathogens have evolved effectors that directly target plant histone acetylation remains unknown. Here, we identified a secreted protein, UvSec117, from the rice false smut fungus, Ustilaginoidea virens, as a key effector that can target the rice histone deacetylase OsHDA701 and negatively regulates rice broad-spectrum resistance against rice pathogens. UvSec117 disrupts host immunity by recruiting OsHDA701 to the nucleus and enhancing OsHDA701-modulated deacetylation, thereby reducing histone H3K9 acetylation levels in rice plants and interfering with defense gene activation. Host-induced gene silencing of UvSec117 promotes rice resistance to U. virens, thus providing an alternative way for developing rice false smut-resistant plants. This is the first direct evidence demonstrating that a fungal effector targets a histone deacetylase to suppress plant immunity. Our data provided insight into a counter-defense mechanism in a plant pathogen that inactivates host defense responses at the epigenetic level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyang Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Plant Pathology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Yuhang Duan
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Plant Pathology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Fugang Qiao
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Plant Pathology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Hao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Plant Pathology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Junbin Huang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Plant Pathology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Chaoxi Luo
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Plant Pathology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Xiaolin Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Plant Pathology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Guotian Li
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Plant Pathology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Kabin Xie
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Plant Pathology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Tom Hsiang
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Lu Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Plant Pathology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
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Bilir Ö, Göl D, Hong Y, McDowell JM, Tör M. Small RNA-based plant protection against diseases. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:951097. [PMID: 36061762 PMCID: PMC9434005 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.951097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Plant diseases cause significant decreases in yield and quality of crops and consequently pose a very substantial threat to food security. In the continuous search for environmentally friendly crop protection, exploitation of RNA interferance machinery is showing promising results. It is well established that small RNAs (sRNAs) including microRNA (miRNA) and small interfering RNA (siRNA) are involved in the regulation of gene expression via both transcriptional and post-transcriptional RNA silencing. sRNAs from host plants can enter into pathogen cells during invasion and silence pathogen genes. This process has been exploited through Host-Induced Gene Silencing (HIGS), in which plant transgenes that produce sRNAs are engineered to silence pest and pathogen genes. Similarly, exogenously applied sRNAs can enter pest and pathogen cells, either directly or via the hosts, and silence target genes. This process has been exploited in Spray-Induced Gene Silencing (SIGS). Here, we focus on the role of sRNAs and review how they have recently been used against various plant pathogens through HIGS or SIGS-based methods and discuss advantages and drawbacks of these approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Özlem Bilir
- Department of Biotechnology, Trakya Agricultural Research Institute, Edirne, Turkey
| | - Deniz Göl
- Department of Biology, School of Science and the Environment, University of Worcester, Worcester, United Kingdom
| | - Yiguo Hong
- Department of Biology, School of Science and the Environment, University of Worcester, Worcester, United Kingdom
- Research Centre for Plant RNA Signaling, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - John M. McDowell
- School of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States
| | - Mahmut Tör
- Department of Biology, School of Science and the Environment, University of Worcester, Worcester, United Kingdom
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Wang M, Dean RA. Host induced gene silencing of Magnaporthe oryzae by targeting pathogenicity and development genes to control rice blast disease. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:959641. [PMID: 36035704 PMCID: PMC9403838 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.959641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Rice blast disease caused by the hemi-biotrophic fungus Magnaporthe oryzae is the most destructive disease of rice world-wide. Traditional disease resistance strategies for the control of rice blast disease have not proved durable. HIGS (host induced gene silencing) is being developed as an alternative strategy. Six genes (CRZ1, PMC1, MAGB, LHS1, CYP51A, CYP51B) that play important roles in pathogenicity and development of M. oryzae were chosen for HIGS. HIGS vectors were transformed into rice calli through Agrobacterium-mediated transformation and T0, T1 and T2 generations of transgenic rice plants were generated. Except for PMC1 and LHS1, HIGS transgenic rice plants challenged with M. oryzae showed significantly reduced disease compared with non-silenced control plants. Following infection with M. oryzae of HIGS transgenic plants, expression levels of target genes were reduced as demonstrated by Quantitative RT-PCR. In addition, treating M. oryzae with small RNA derived from the target genes inhibited fungal growth. These findings suggest RNA silencing signals can be transferred from host to an invasive fungus and that HIGS has potential to generate resistant rice against M. oryzae.
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Breeding Tools for Assessing and Improving Resistance and Limiting Mycotoxin Production by Fusarium graminearum in Wheat. PLANTS 2022; 11:plants11151933. [PMID: 35893637 PMCID: PMC9330798 DOI: 10.3390/plants11151933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
The recently adopted conservation and minimum tillage practices in wheat-production systems coupled with the concomitant warming of the Earth are believed to have caused the upsurges in Fusarium head blight (FHB) prevalence in major wheat-producing regions of the world. Measures to counter this effect include breeding for resistance to both initial infection of wheat and spread of the disease. Cases of mycotoxicosis caused by ingestion of wheat by-products contaminated with FHB mycotoxins have necessitated the need for resistant wheat cultivars that can limit mycotoxin production by the dominant causal pathogen, Fusarium graminearum. This manuscript reviews breeding tools for assessing and improving resistance as well as limiting mycotoxin contamination in wheat to reflect on the current state of affairs. Combining these aspects in wheat research and development promotes sustainable quality grain production and safeguards human and livestock health from mycotoxicosis.
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Ciofini A, Negrini F, Baroncelli R, Baraldi E. Management of Post-Harvest Anthracnose: Current Approaches and Future Perspectives. PLANTS 2022; 11:plants11141856. [PMID: 35890490 PMCID: PMC9319655 DOI: 10.3390/plants11141856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2022] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Anthracnose is a severe disease caused by Colletotrichum spp. on several crop species. Fungal infections can occur both in the field and at the post-harvest stage causing severe lesions on fruits and economic losses. Physical treatments and synthetic fungicides have traditionally been the preferred means to control anthracnose adverse effects; however, the urgent need to decrease the use of toxic chemicals led to the investigation of innovative and sustainable protection techniques. Evidence for the efficacy of biological agents and vegetal derivates has been reported; however, their introduction into actual crop protection strategies requires the solutions of several critical issues. Biotechnology-based approaches have also been explored, revealing the opportunity to develop innovative and safe methods for anthracnose management through genome editing and RNA interference technologies. Nevertheless, besides the number of advantages related to their use, e.g., the putative absence of adverse effects due to their high specificity, a number of aspects remain to be clarified to enable their introduction into Integrated Pest Management (IPM) protocols against Colletotrichum spp. disease.
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S S, Sharma S, Bairwa A, Tomar M, Kumar R, Bhardwaj V, Jeevalatha A, Bakade R, Salaria N, Thakur K, Singh BP, Chakrabarti SK. Spraying of dsRNA molecules derived from Phytophthora infestans, along with nanoclay carriers as a proof of concept for developing novel protection strategy for potato late blight. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2022; 78:3183-3192. [PMID: 35478320 DOI: 10.1002/ps.6949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Phytophthora infestans is a late blight-causing oomycetes pathogen. It rapidly evolves and adapts to the host background and new fungicide molecules within a few years of their release, most likely because of the predominance of transposable elements in its genome. Frequent applications of fungicides cause environmental concerns. Here, we developed target-specific RNA interference (RNAi)-based molecules, along with nanoclay carriers, that when sprayed on plants are capable of effectively reducing late blight infection. RESULTS Targeted the genes unique to sporulation, early satge infection and the metabolism pathway stages based on in an our own microarray data. We used nanoclay as a carrier for sorbitol dehydrogenase, heat shock protein 90, translation elongation factor 1-α, phospholipase-D like 3 and glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored acidic serine-threonine-rich HAM34-like protein double-stranded (ds)RNAs, which were assessed by culture bioassay, detached leaf assay and spray methods, and revealed a reduction in growth, sporulation and symptom expression. Plants sprayed with multigene targeted dsRNA-nanoclay showed enhanced disease resistance (4% disease severity) and less sporulation (<1 × 103 ) compared with plants sprayed with dsRNA alone. CONCLUSION The use of nanoclay with multigene targeted dsRNA was assumed to be involved in effective delivery, protection and boosting the action of RNAi as a spray-induced gene silencing approach (SIGS). A significant reduction in growth, sporulation, disease severity and decreased gene expression authenticates the effects of SIGS on late blight progression. This study demonstrated as a proof of concept the dsRNA-nanoclay SIGS approach, which could be used as an alternative to chemical fungicides and transgenic approaches to develop an environmentally friendly novel plant protection strategy for late blight. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sundaresha S
- Plant Protection, ICAR-Central Potato Research Institute, Shimla, India
| | - Sanjeev Sharma
- Plant Protection, ICAR-Central Potato Research Institute, Shimla, India
| | - Aarti Bairwa
- Plant Protection, ICAR-Central Potato Research Institute, Shimla, India
| | - Maharishi Tomar
- Plant Protection, ICAR-Central Potato Research Institute, Shimla, India
- Plant Biochemistry, ICAR-Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute, Jhansi, India
| | - Ravinder Kumar
- Plant Protection, ICAR-Central Potato Research Institute, Shimla, India
| | - Vinay Bhardwaj
- Plant Protection, ICAR-Central Potato Research Institute, Shimla, India
| | - A Jeevalatha
- Plant Protection, ICAR-Central Potato Research Institute, Shimla, India
- Plant Protection, ICAR-Indian Institute of Spice Research, Kozhikode, India
| | - Rahul Bakade
- Plant Protection, ICAR-Central Potato Research Institute, Shimla, India
| | - Neha Salaria
- Plant Protection, ICAR-Central Potato Research Institute, Shimla, India
| | - Kajal Thakur
- Plant Protection, ICAR-Central Potato Research Institute, Shimla, India
| | - Bir Pal Singh
- Plant Protection, ICAR-Central Potato Research Institute, Shimla, India
| | - S K Chakrabarti
- Plant Protection, ICAR-Central Potato Research Institute, Shimla, India
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Chitin Synthase Genes Are Differentially Required for Growth, Stress Response, and Virulence in Verticillium dahliae. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8070681. [PMID: 35887437 PMCID: PMC9320267 DOI: 10.3390/jof8070681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Revised: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Crop wilt disease caused by Verticillium dahliae usually leads to serious yield loss. Chitin, an important component of most fungal cell walls, functions to maintain the rigidity of cell walls and septa. Chitin synthesis mainly relies on the activity of chitin synthase (CHS). Eight CHS genes have been predicted in V. dahliae. In this study, we characterized the functions of these genes in terms of growth, stress responses, penetration, and virulence. Results showed that VdCHS5 is important for conidia germination and resistance to hyperosmotic stress. Conidial production is significantly decreased in Vdchs1, Vdchs4, and Vdchs8 mutants. VdCHS1, VdCHS2, VdCHS4, VdCHS6, VdCHS7, and VdCHS8 genes are important for cell wall integrity, while all mutants are important for cell membrane integrity. All of the VdCHS genes, except for VdCHS3, are required for the full pathogenicity of V. dahliae to Arabidopsis thaliana and cotton plants. The in vitro and in vivo penetration of Vdchs1, Vdchs4, Vdchs6, and Vdchs7 mutants was impaired, while that of the other mutants was normal. Overall, our results indicate that the VdCHS genes exert diverse functions to regulate the growth and development, conidial germination, conidial production, stress response, penetration, and virulence in V. dahliae.
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Kong L, Shi X, Chen D, Yang N, Yin C, Yang J, Wang G, Huang W, Peng H, Peng D, Liu S. Host-induced silencing of a nematode chitin synthase gene enhances resistance of soybeans to both pathogenic Heterodera glycines and Fusarium oxysporum. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2022; 20:809-811. [PMID: 35301818 PMCID: PMC9055809 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.13808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Lingan Kong
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect PestsInstitute of Plant ProtectionChinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Xue Shi
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect PestsInstitute of Plant ProtectionChinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Deng Chen
- College of Plant ProtectionChina Agricultural UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Nan Yang
- College of Plant ProtectionChina Agricultural UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Changfa Yin
- Institute of Plant ProtectionJiangxi Academy of Agricultural SciencesNanchangChina
| | - Jun Yang
- College of Plant ProtectionChina Agricultural UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Gaofeng Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect PestsInstitute of Plant ProtectionChinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Wenkun Huang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect PestsInstitute of Plant ProtectionChinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Huan Peng
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect PestsInstitute of Plant ProtectionChinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Deliang Peng
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect PestsInstitute of Plant ProtectionChinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Shiming Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect PestsInstitute of Plant ProtectionChinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesBeijingChina
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35
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Biocontrol Methods in Avoidance and Downsizing of Mycotoxin Contamination of Food Crops. Processes (Basel) 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/pr10040655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
By increasing the resistance of seeds against abiotic and biotic stress, the possibility of cereal mold contamination and hence the occurrence of secondary mold metabolites mycotoxins decreases. The use of biological methods of seed treatment represents a complementary strategy, which can be implemented as an environmental-friendlier approach to increase the agricultural sustainability. Whereas the use of resistant cultivars helps to reduce mold growth and mycotoxin contamination at the very beginning of the production chain, biological detoxification of cereals provides additional weapons against fungal pathogens in the later stage. Most efficient techniques can be selected and combined on an industrial scale to reduce losses and boost crop yields and agriculture sustainability, increasing at the same time food and feed safety. This paper strives to emphasize the possibility of implementation of biocontrol methods in the production of resistant seeds and the prevention and reduction in cereal mycotoxin contamination.
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36
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RNAi technology for plant protection and its application in wheat. ABIOTECH 2021; 2:365-374. [PMID: 36304420 PMCID: PMC9590511 DOI: 10.1007/s42994-021-00036-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The RNAi technology takes advantage of the intrinsic RNA interference (RNAi) mechanism that exists in nearly all eukaryotes in which target mRNAs are degraded or functionally suppressed. Significant progress has been made in recent years where RNAi technology is applied to several crops and economic plants for protection against diseases like fungi, pests, and nematode. RNAi technology is also applied in controlling pathogen damages in wheat, one of the most important crops in the world. In this review, we first give a brief introduction of the RNAi technology and the underneath mechanism. We then review the recent progress of its utilization in crops, particular wheat. Finally, we discuss the existing challenges and prospect future development of this technology in crop protection.
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Goulin EH, de Lima TA, dos Santos PJC, Machado MA. RNAi-induced silencing of the succinate dehydrogenase subunits gene in Colletotrichum abscissum, the causal agent of postbloom fruit drop (PFD) in citrus. Microbiol Res 2021; 260:126938. [DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2021.126938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2020] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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38
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Liu Y, Zhu G, Zhu Z, Chen L, Niu H, He W, Tong H, Song J, Zhang Y, Ma D, Gao C. Investigation and Genome-Wide Association Analysis of Fusarium Seedling Blight Resistance in Chinese Elite Wheat Lines. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:777494. [PMID: 34868179 PMCID: PMC8635748 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.777494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Fusarium seedling blight (FSB) is an important disease of wheat occurring as part of the Fusarium disease complex consisting also of Fusarium head blight (FHB). 240 Chinese elite cultivars and lines were evaluated in greenhouse experiments for FSB resistance and genotyped using the wheat 90 K single nucleotide polymorphism arrays. Among them, 23 accessions had an average lesion length of less than 0.6 cm, exhibiting potential for breeding for FSB resistance in wheat. Jingfumai 1 and Yangmai 11 had a relatively high resistance to both FSB and FHB simultaneously. Six relatively stable quantitative trait loci (QTLs) were detected on chromosome arms 1DL, 3AS, 3BL, 6BL, 7AL, and Un using the mixed linear model approach, interpreting 4.83-7.53% of phenotypic variation. There was a negative correlation between the average FSB lesion length and the BLUE FHB index with a low coefficient, and resistance to both diseases appeared to be conferred by different QTLs across the same population. Four KASP markers were detected on 1DL, 3AS, 3BL, and 6BL in QTLs to facilitate marker-assisted selection. Combined with transcriptome data analysis, eight defense-related genes were considered as candidates for mapping QTLs. The resistant elite germplasm, mapped QTLs, and KASP markers developed in this study are useful resources for enhancing Fusarium seedling blight in wheat breeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yike Liu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Food Crop Germplasm and Genetic Improvement, Food Crops Institute, Hubei Engineering and Technology Research, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan, China
- Center of Wheat, Wheat Disease Biology Research Station for Central China, Wuhan, China
| | - Guang Zhu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Food Crop Germplasm and Genetic Improvement, Food Crops Institute, Hubei Engineering and Technology Research, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhangwang Zhu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Food Crop Germplasm and Genetic Improvement, Food Crops Institute, Hubei Engineering and Technology Research, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Lin Chen
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Food Crop Germplasm and Genetic Improvement, Food Crops Institute, Hubei Engineering and Technology Research, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Hongli Niu
- Engineering Research Center of Ecology and Agricultural Use of Wetland, Ministry of Education, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
- Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Grain Industry, College of Agriculture, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
| | - Weijie He
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Food Crop Germplasm and Genetic Improvement, Food Crops Institute, Hubei Engineering and Technology Research, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Hanwen Tong
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Food Crop Germplasm and Genetic Improvement, Food Crops Institute, Hubei Engineering and Technology Research, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Jinghan Song
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Food Crop Germplasm and Genetic Improvement, Food Crops Institute, Hubei Engineering and Technology Research, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Yuqing Zhang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Food Crop Germplasm and Genetic Improvement, Food Crops Institute, Hubei Engineering and Technology Research, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Dongfang Ma
- Center of Wheat, Wheat Disease Biology Research Station for Central China, Wuhan, China
- Engineering Research Center of Ecology and Agricultural Use of Wetland, Ministry of Education, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
- Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Grain Industry, College of Agriculture, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
| | - Chunbao Gao
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Food Crop Germplasm and Genetic Improvement, Food Crops Institute, Hubei Engineering and Technology Research, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan, China
- Center of Wheat, Wheat Disease Biology Research Station for Central China, Wuhan, China
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39
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Hao G, McCormick S, Vaughan MM. Effects of Double-Stranded RNAs Targeting Fusarium graminearum TRI6 on Fusarium Head Blight and Mycotoxins. PHYTOPATHOLOGY 2021; 111:2080-2087. [PMID: 33823648 DOI: 10.1094/phyto-10-20-0468-r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Fusarium graminearum is the causal agent of Fusarium head blight (FHB), which reduces crop yield and contaminates grains with poisonous trichothecene mycotoxins, including deoxynivalenol (DON). DON functions as an important virulence factor that promotes FHB spread in wheat; therefore, reducing DON production will decrease yield losses to FHB and increase food safety. Recent progress in the topical application of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) to reduce F. graminearum infection has provided encouraging results. In this study, we designed and synthesized dsRNA targeting the transcription factor TRI6 (TRI6-dsRNA), which is a key regulator of DON biosynthesis. The expression of F. graminearum TRI6 was significantly lower in detached wheat heads treated with TRI6-dsRNA solution compared with the controls. Furthermore, TRI6-dsRNA treatments reduced disease and DON accumulation in inoculated detached wheat heads. Therefore, topical applications of TRI6-dsRNA on wheat heads of intact plants were assessed for their ability to reduce FHB and DON under growth chamber and greenhouse conditions. When wheat heads were treated with TRI6-dsRNA solution in growth chamber conditions, TRI6-dsRNA treatments failed to prevent FHB spread. However, when wheat heads were treated with TRI6-dsRNA solution under greenhouse conditions, FHB and DON were significantly reduced, and infection was restricted to the inoculated floret. In addition, addition of TRI6-dsRNA to toxin induction liquid media had no effect on F. graminearum 15-ADON production. Our study demonstrates that the efficacy of dsRNA applications is strongly dependent on application methods and environmental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guixia Hao
- U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, Mycotoxin Prevention and Applied Microbiology Research Unit, Peoria, IL 61604
| | - Susan McCormick
- U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, Mycotoxin Prevention and Applied Microbiology Research Unit, Peoria, IL 61604
| | - Martha M Vaughan
- U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, Mycotoxin Prevention and Applied Microbiology Research Unit, Peoria, IL 61604
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40
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Ding Y, Chen Y, Yan B, Liao H, Dong M, Meng X, Wan H, Qian W. Host-Induced Gene Silencing of a Multifunction Gene Sscnd1 Enhances Plant Resistance Against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:693334. [PMID: 34690946 PMCID: PMC8531507 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.693334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is a devastating necrotrophic fungal pathogen and has a substantial economic impact on crop production worldwide. Magnaporthe appressoria-specific (MAS) proteins have been suggested to be involved in the appressorium formation in Magnaporthe oryzae. Sscnd1, an MAS homolog gene, is highly induced at the early infection stage of S. sclerotiorum. Knock-down the expression of Sscnd1 gene severely reduced the virulence of S. sclerotiorum on intact rapeseed leaves, and their virulence was partially restored on wounded leaves. The Sscnd1 gene-silenced strains exhibited a defect in compound appressorium formation and cell integrity. The instantaneous silencing of Sscnd1 by tobacco rattle virus (TRV)-mediated host-induced gene silencing (HIGS) resulted in a significant reduction in disease development in tobacco. Three transgenic HIGS Arabidopsis lines displayed high levels of resistance to S. sclerotiorum and decreased Sscnd1 expression. Production of specific Sscnd1 siRNA in transgenic HIGS Arabidopsis lines was confirmed by stem-loop qRT-PCR. This study revealed that the compound appressorium-related gene Sscnd1 is required for cell integrity and full virulence in S. sclerotiorum and that Sclerotinia stem rot can be controlled by expressing the silencing constructs of Sscnd1 in host plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yijuan Ding
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China.,Engineering Research Center of South Upland Agriculture, Ministry of Education, Chongqing, China
| | - Yangui Chen
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China.,Engineering Research Center of South Upland Agriculture, Ministry of Education, Chongqing, China
| | - Baoqin Yan
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China.,Engineering Research Center of South Upland Agriculture, Ministry of Education, Chongqing, China
| | - Hongmei Liao
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China.,Engineering Research Center of South Upland Agriculture, Ministry of Education, Chongqing, China
| | - Mengquan Dong
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China.,Engineering Research Center of South Upland Agriculture, Ministry of Education, Chongqing, China
| | - Xinran Meng
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China.,Engineering Research Center of South Upland Agriculture, Ministry of Education, Chongqing, China
| | - Huafang Wan
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China.,Engineering Research Center of South Upland Agriculture, Ministry of Education, Chongqing, China
| | - Wei Qian
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China.,Engineering Research Center of South Upland Agriculture, Ministry of Education, Chongqing, China
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41
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Resistance to Aflatoxin Accumulation in Maize Mediated by Host-Induced Silencing of the Aspergillus flavus Alkaline Protease ( alk) Gene. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:jof7110904. [PMID: 34829193 PMCID: PMC8622731 DOI: 10.3390/jof7110904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2021] [Revised: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus flavus is a fungal pathogen that infects maize and produces aflatoxins. Host-Induced Gene Silencing (HIGS) has been shown to reduce host infection by various fungal pathogens. Here, the A. flavus alkaline protease (alk) gene was targeted for silencing through HIGS. An RNAi vector carrying a portion of the alk gene was incorporated into the B104 maize genome. Four out of eight transformation events containing the alk gene, Alk-3, Alk-4, Alk-7 and Alk-9, were self-pollinated to T4/T6 generations. At T3, the Alk-transgenic lines showed up to 87% reduction in aflatoxin accumulation under laboratory conditions. T4 transgenic Alk-3 and Alk-7 lines, and T5 and T6 Alk-4 and Alk-9 showed an average of 84% reduction in aflatoxin accumulation compared to their null controls under field inoculations (p < 0.05). F1 hybrids of three elite maize inbred lines and the transgenic lines also showed significant improvement in aflatoxin resistance (p < 0.006 to p < 0.045). Reduced A. flavus growth and levels of fungal ß-tubulin DNA were observed in transgenic kernels during in vitro inoculation. Alk-4 transgenic leaf and immature kernel tissues also contained about 1000-fold higher levels of alk-specific small RNAs compared to null controls, indicating that the enhanced aflatoxin resistance in the transgenic maize kernels is due to suppression of A. flavus infection through HIGS of alk gene.
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42
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Zhang S, Zhu P, Cao B, Ma S, Li R, Wang X, Zhao A. An APSES Transcription Factor Xbp1 Is Required for Sclerotial Development, Appressoria Formation, and Pathogenicity in Ciboria shiraiana. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:739686. [PMID: 34646256 PMCID: PMC8503677 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.739686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Sclerotinia diseases are important plant fungal diseases that, causes huge economic worldwide losses every year. Ciboria shiraiana is the main pathogen that results in mulberry sclerotia diseases. Sclerotia and appressoria play important roles in long-term pathogen survival and in host infection during life and disease cycles. However, the molecular mechanisms of sclerotial development and appressoria formation in C. shiraiana have not been well studied. Here, an Asm1p, Phd1p, Sok2p, Efg1p and StuAp (APSES)-type transcription factor in C. shiraiana, CsXbp1, involved in sclerotial development and appressoria formation was functionally characterized. Bioinformatics analyses showed that CsXbp1 contained an APSES-type DNA binding domain. The expression levels of CsXbp1 were higher in sclerotia and during later stages of infection. Compared with wild-type strains, hyphal growth was slower, the number and weight of sclerotia were reduced significantly, and appressoria formation was obviously delayed in CsXbp1 RNA interference (RNAi) strains. Moreover, the CsXbp1 RNAi strains showed weakened pathogenicity owing to compound appressoria defects. Tobacco rattle virus-mediated host-induced gene silencing enabled Nicotiana benthamiana to increase its resistance to C. shiraiana by reducing the CsXbp1 transcripts level. Thus, CsXbp1 plays vital roles in sclerotial formation, appressoria formation, and pathogenicity in C. shiraiana. This study provides new insights into the infection mechanisms of C. shiraiana and plant resistance breeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Panpan Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China.,Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Boning Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China.,College of Life Sciences, Xinyang Normal University, Xinyang, China
| | - Shuyu Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ruolan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xie Wang
- Institute of Agricultural Resources and Environment, Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Sichuan, China
| | - Aichun Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
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Rajput M, Choudhary K, Kumar M, Vivekanand V, Chawade A, Ortiz R, Pareek N. RNA Interference and CRISPR/Cas Gene Editing for Crop Improvement: Paradigm Shift towards Sustainable Agriculture. PLANTS 2021; 10:plants10091914. [PMID: 34579446 PMCID: PMC8467553 DOI: 10.3390/plants10091914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
With the rapid population growth, there is an urgent need for innovative crop improvement approaches to meet the increasing demand for food. Classical crop improvement approaches involve, however, a backbreaking process that cannot equipoise with increasing crop demand. RNA-based approaches i.e., RNAi-mediated gene regulation and the site-specific nuclease-based CRISPR/Cas9 system for gene editing has made advances in the efficient targeted modification in many crops for the higher yield and resistance to diseases and different stresses. In functional genomics, RNA interference (RNAi) is a propitious gene regulatory approach that plays a significant role in crop improvement by permitting the downregulation of gene expression by small molecules of interfering RNA without affecting the expression of other genes. Gene editing technologies viz. the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein (CRISPR/Cas) have appeared prominently as a powerful tool for precise targeted modification of nearly all crops' genome sequences to generate variation and accelerate breeding efforts. In this regard, the review highlights the diverse roles and applications of RNAi and CRISPR/Cas9 system as powerful technologies to improve agronomically important plants to enhance crop yields and increase tolerance to environmental stress (biotic or abiotic). Ultimately, these technologies can prove to be important in view of global food security and sustainable agriculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meenakshi Rajput
- Department of Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, Central University of Rajasthan, Ajmer 305801, Rajasthan, India; (M.R.); (K.C.); (M.K.)
| | - Khushboo Choudhary
- Department of Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, Central University of Rajasthan, Ajmer 305801, Rajasthan, India; (M.R.); (K.C.); (M.K.)
| | - Manish Kumar
- Department of Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, Central University of Rajasthan, Ajmer 305801, Rajasthan, India; (M.R.); (K.C.); (M.K.)
| | - V. Vivekanand
- Centre for Energy and Environment, Malaviya National Institute of Technology, Jaipur 302017, Rajasthan, India;
| | - Aakash Chawade
- Department of Plant Breeding, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 101, 230 53 Alnarp, Sweden;
- Correspondence: (A.C.); (N.P.)
| | - Rodomiro Ortiz
- Department of Plant Breeding, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 101, 230 53 Alnarp, Sweden;
| | - Nidhi Pareek
- Department of Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, Central University of Rajasthan, Ajmer 305801, Rajasthan, India; (M.R.); (K.C.); (M.K.)
- Correspondence: (A.C.); (N.P.)
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44
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Chen X, Li P, Liu H, Chen X, Huang J, Luo C, Li G, Hsiang T, Collinge DB, Zheng L. A novel transcription factor UvCGBP1 regulates development and virulence of rice false smut fungus Ustilaginoidea virens. Virulence 2021; 12:1563-1579. [PMID: 34348597 PMCID: PMC8344781 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2021.1936768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Ustilaginoidea virens, causing rice false smut (RFS) is an economically important ascomycetous fungal pathogen distributed in rice-growing regions worldwide. Here, we identified a novel transcription factor UvCGBP1 (Cutinase G-box binding protein) from this fungus, which is unique to ascomycetes. Deletion of UvCGBP1 affected development and virulence of U. virens. A total of 865 downstream target genes of UvCGBP1 was identified using ChIP-seq and the most significant KEGG enriched functional pathway was the MAPK signaling pathway. Approximately 36% of target genes contain the AGGGG (G-box) motif in their promoter. Among the targets, deletion of UvCGBP1 affected transcriptional and translational levels of UvPmk1 and UvSlt2, both of which were important in virulence. ChIP-qPCR, yeast one-hybrid and EMSA confirmed that UvCGBP1 can bind the promoter of UvPmk1 or UvSlt2. Overexpression of UvPmk1 in the ∆UvCGBP1-33 mutant restored partially its virulence and hyphae growth, indicating that UvCGBP1 could function via the MAPK pathway to regulate fungal virulence. Taken together, this study uncovered a novel regulatory mechanism of fungal virulence linking the MAPK pathway mediated by a G-box binding transcription factor, UvCGBP1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyang Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology/Hubei Key Laboratory of Plant Pathology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Pingping Li
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology/Hubei Key Laboratory of Plant Pathology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Hao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology/Hubei Key Laboratory of Plant Pathology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Xiaolin Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology/Hubei Key Laboratory of Plant Pathology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Junbin Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology/Hubei Key Laboratory of Plant Pathology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Chaoxi Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology/Hubei Key Laboratory of Plant Pathology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Guotian Li
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology/Hubei Key Laboratory of Plant Pathology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Tom Hsiang
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - David B Collinge
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Lu Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology/Hubei Key Laboratory of Plant Pathology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
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45
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Recent Progress in Enhancing Fungal Disease Resistance in Ornamental Plants. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22157956. [PMID: 34360726 PMCID: PMC8348885 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22157956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Revised: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Fungal diseases pose a major threat to ornamental plants, with an increasing percentage of pathogen-driven host losses. In ornamental plants, management of the majority of fungal diseases primarily depends upon chemical control methods that are often non-specific. Host basal resistance, which is deficient in many ornamental plants, plays a key role in combating diseases. Despite their economic importance, conventional and molecular breeding approaches in ornamental plants to facilitate disease resistance are lagging, and this is predominantly due to their complex genomes, limited availability of gene pools, and degree of heterozygosity. Although genetic engineering in ornamental plants offers feasible methods to overcome the intrinsic barriers of classical breeding, achievements have mainly been reported only in regard to the modification of floral attributes in ornamentals. The unavailability of transformation protocols and candidate gene resources for several ornamental crops presents an obstacle for tackling the functional studies on disease resistance. Recently, multiomics technologies, in combination with genome editing tools, have provided shortcuts to examine the molecular and genetic regulatory mechanisms underlying fungal disease resistance, ultimately leading to the subsequent advances in the development of novel cultivars with desired fungal disease-resistant traits, in ornamental crops. Although fungal diseases constitute the majority of ornamental plant diseases, a comprehensive overview of this highly important fungal disease resistance seems to be insufficient in the field of ornamental horticulture. Hence, in this review, we highlight the representative mechanisms of the fungal infection-related resistance to pathogens in plants, with a focus on ornamental crops. Recent progress in molecular breeding, genetic engineering strategies, and RNAi technologies, such as HIGS and SIGS for the enhancement of fungal disease resistance in various important ornamental crops, is also described.
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Yang P, Yi SY, Nian JN, Yuan QS, He WJ, Zhang JB, Liao YC. Application of Double-Strand RNAs Targeting Chitin Synthase, Glucan Synthase, and Protein Kinase Reduces Fusarium graminearum Spreading in Wheat. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:660976. [PMID: 34305830 PMCID: PMC8299488 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.660976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Controlling the devastating fungal pathogen Fusarium graminearum (Fg) is a challenge due to inadequate resistance in nature. Here, we report on the identification of RNAi molecules and their applications for controlling Fg in wheat through silencing chitin synthase 7 (Chs7), glucan synthase (Gls) and protein kinase C (Pkc). From transgenic Fg strains four RNAi constructs from Chs7 (Chs7RNAi−1, −2, −3, and −4), three RNAi constructs from Gls (GlsRNAi−2, −3, and −6), and one RNAi construct from Pkc (PkcRNAi−5) were identified that displayed effective silencing effects on mycelium growth in medium and pathogenicity in wheat spikes. Transcript levels of Chs7, Gls and Pkc were markedly reduced in those strains. Double-strand RNAs (dsRNAs) of three selected RNAi constructs (Chs7RNAi-4, GlsRNAi-6 and PkcRNA-5) strongly inhibited mycelium growth in vitro. Spray of those dsRNAs on detached wheat leaves significantly reduced lesion sizes; the independent dsRNAs showed comparable effects on lesions with combination of two or three dsRNAs. Expression of three targets Chs7, Gls, and Pkc was substantially down-regulated in Fg-infected wheat leaves. Further application of dsRNAs on wheat spikes in greenhouse significantly reduced infected spikelets. The identified RNAi constructs may be directly used for spray-induced gene silencing and stable expression in plants to control Fusarium pathogens in agriculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Yang
- Molecular Biotechnology Laboratory of Triticeae Crops, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China.,College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Shu-Yuan Yi
- Molecular Biotechnology Laboratory of Triticeae Crops, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China.,College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China.,Forestry and Fruit Tree Research Institute, Wuhan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Jun-Na Nian
- Molecular Biotechnology Laboratory of Triticeae Crops, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China.,College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Qing-Song Yuan
- Molecular Biotechnology Laboratory of Triticeae Crops, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China.,College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China.,Resource Institute for Chinese & Ethnic Materia Medica, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, China
| | - Wei-Jie He
- Molecular Biotechnology Laboratory of Triticeae Crops, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China.,College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jing-Bo Zhang
- Molecular Biotechnology Laboratory of Triticeae Crops, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China.,College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yu-Cai Liao
- Molecular Biotechnology Laboratory of Triticeae Crops, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China.,College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
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Biotechnological Resources to Increase Disease-Resistance by Improving Plant Immunity: A Sustainable Approach to Save Cereal Crop Production. PLANTS 2021; 10:plants10061146. [PMID: 34199861 PMCID: PMC8229257 DOI: 10.3390/plants10061146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Plant diseases are globally causing substantial losses in staple crop production, undermining the urgent goal of a 60% increase needed to meet the food demand, a task made more challenging by the climate changes. Main consequences concern the reduction of food amount and quality. Crop diseases also compromise food safety due to the presence of pesticides and/or toxins. Nowadays, biotechnology represents our best resource both for protecting crop yield and for a science-based increased sustainability in agriculture. Over the last decades, agricultural biotechnologies have made important progress based on the diffusion of new, fast and efficient technologies, offering a broad spectrum of options for understanding plant molecular mechanisms and breeding. This knowledge is accelerating the identification of key resistance traits to be rapidly and efficiently transferred and applied in crop breeding programs. This review gathers examples of how disease resistance may be implemented in cereals by exploiting a combination of basic research derived knowledge with fast and precise genetic engineering techniques. Priming and/or boosting the immune system in crops represent a sustainable, rapid and effective way to save part of the global harvest currently lost to diseases and to prevent food contamination.
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RNA Interference Strategies for Future Management of Plant Pathogenic Fungi: Prospects and Challenges. PLANTS 2021; 10:plants10040650. [PMID: 33805521 PMCID: PMC8067263 DOI: 10.3390/plants10040650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Plant pathogenic fungi are the largest group of disease-causing agents on crop plants and represent a persistent and significant threat to agriculture worldwide. Conventional approaches based on the use of pesticides raise social concern for the impact on the environment and human health and alternative control methods are urgently needed. The rapid improvement and extensive implementation of RNA interference (RNAi) technology for various model and non-model organisms has provided the initial framework to adapt this post-transcriptional gene silencing technology for the management of fungal pathogens. Recent studies showed that the exogenous application of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) molecules on plants targeting fungal growth and virulence-related genes provided disease attenuation of pathogens like Botrytis cinerea, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and Fusarium graminearum in different hosts. Such results highlight that the exogenous RNAi holds great potential for RNAi-mediated plant pathogenic fungal disease control. Production of dsRNA can be possible by using either in-vitro or in-vivo synthesis. In this review, we describe exogenous RNAi involved in plant pathogenic fungi and discuss dsRNA production, formulation, and RNAi delivery methods. Potential challenges that are faced while developing a RNAi strategy for fungal pathogens, such as off-target and epigenetic effects, with their possible solutions are also discussed.
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Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid Disodium Salt Acts as an Antifungal Candidate Molecule against Fusarium
graminearum by Inhibiting DON Biosynthesis and Chitin Synthase Activity. Toxins (Basel) 2020; 13:toxins13010017. [PMID: 33375470 PMCID: PMC7823441 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13010017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Fusarium fungi are the cause of an array of devastating diseases affecting yield losses and accumulating mycotoxins. Fungicides can be exploited against Fusarium and deoxynivalenol (DON) production. However, Fusarium resistance to common chemicals has become a therapeutic challenge worldwide, which indicates that new control agents carrying different mechanisms of action are desperately needed. Here, we found that a nonantibiotic drug, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt (EDTANa2), exhibited various antifungal activities against Fusarium species and DON biosynthesis. The infection of wheat seeding caused by F. graminearum was suppressed over 90% at 4 mM EDTANa2. A similar control effect was observed in field tests. Mycotoxin production assays showed DON production was significantly inhibited, 47% lower than the control, by 0.4 mM EDTANa2. In vitro experiments revealed a timely inhibition of H2O2 production as quickly as 4 h after amending cultures with EDTANa2 and the expression of several TRI genes significantly decreased. Chitin synthases of Fusarium were Mn2+-containing enzymes that were strongly inhibited by Mn2+ deficiency. EDTANa2 inhibited chitin synthesis and destroyed the cell wall and cytomembrane integrity of Fusarium, mainly via the chelation of Mn2+ by EDTANa2, and thus led to Mn deficiency in Fusarium cells. Taken together, these findings uncover the potential of EDTANa2 as a fungicide candidate to manage Fusarium head blight (FHB) and DON in agricultural production.
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Wang M, Wu L, Mei Y, Zhao Y, Ma Z, Zhang X, Chen Y. Host-induced gene silencing of multiple genes of Fusarium graminearum enhances resistance to Fusarium head blight in wheat. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2020; 18:2373-2375. [PMID: 32436275 PMCID: PMC7680546 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.13401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2020] [Revised: 04/10/2020] [Accepted: 05/10/2020] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Minhui Wang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and InsectsInstitute of BiotechnologyZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
- State Key Laboratory of Rice BiologyInstitute of BiotechnologyZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Lei Wu
- Provincial Key Laboratory of AgrobiologyInstitute of Food CropsJiangsu Academy of Agricultural SciencesNanjingChina
| | - Yuzhen Mei
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and InsectsInstitute of BiotechnologyZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
- State Key Laboratory of Rice BiologyInstitute of BiotechnologyZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Youfu Zhao
- Department of Crop SciencesUniversity of Illinois at Urbana‐ChampaignUrbanaILUSA
| | - Zhonghua Ma
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and InsectsInstitute of BiotechnologyZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
- State Key Laboratory of Rice BiologyInstitute of BiotechnologyZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Xu Zhang
- Provincial Key Laboratory of AgrobiologyInstitute of Food CropsJiangsu Academy of Agricultural SciencesNanjingChina
| | - Yun Chen
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and InsectsInstitute of BiotechnologyZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
- State Key Laboratory of Rice BiologyInstitute of BiotechnologyZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
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