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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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Ping X, Khan RAA, Chen S, Jiao Y, Zhuang X, Jiang L, Song L, Yang Y, Zhao J, Li Y, Mao Z, Xie B, Ling J. Deciphering the role of rhizosphere microbiota in modulating disease resistance in cabbage varieties. MICROBIOME 2024; 12:160. [PMID: 39215347 PMCID: PMC11363401 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-024-01883-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 07/27/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cabbage Fusarium wilt (CFW) is a devastating disease caused by the soil-borne fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. conglutinans (Foc). One of the optimal measures for managing CFW is the employment of tolerant/resistant cabbage varieties. However, the interplay between plant genotypes and the pathogen Foc in shaping the rhizosphere microbial community, and the consequent influence of these microbial assemblages on biological resistance, remains inadequately understood. RESULTS Based on amplicon metabarcoding data, we observed distinct differences in the fungal alpha diversity index (Shannon index) and beta diversity index (unweighted Bray-Curtis dissimilarity) within the rhizosphere of the YR (resistant to Foc) and ZG (susceptible to Foc) cabbage varieties, irrespective of Foc inoculation. Notably, the Shannon diversity shifts in the resistant YR variety were more pronounced following Foc inoculation. Disease-resistant plant variety demonstrate a higher propensity for harboring beneficial microorganisms, such as Pseudomonas, and exhibit superior capabilities in evading harmful microorganisms, in contrast to their disease-susceptible counterparts. Furthermore, the network analysis was performed on rhizosphere-associated microorganisms, including both bacteria and fungi. The networks of association recovered from YR exhibited greater complexity, robustness, and density, regardless of Foc inoculation. Following Foc infection in the YR rhizosphere, there was a notable increase in the dominant bacterium NA13, which is also a hub taxon in the microbial network. Reintroducing NA13 into the soil significantly improved disease resistance in the susceptible ZG variety, by directly inhibiting Foc and triggering defense mechanisms in the roots. CONCLUSIONS The rhizosphere microbial communities of these two cabbage varieties are markedly distinct, with the introduction of the pathogen eliciting significant alterations in their microbial networks which is correlated with susceptibility or resistance to soil-borne pathogens. Furthermore, we identified a rhizobacteria species that significantly boosts disease resistance in susceptible cabbages. Our results indicated that the induction of resistance genes leading to varied responses in microbial communities to pathogens may partly explain the differing susceptibilities of the cabbage varieties tested to CFW. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingxing Ping
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable Biobreeding, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
- Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Raja Asad Ali Khan
- School of Breeding and Multiplication (Sanya Institute of Breeding and Multiplication), Hainan University, YaZhou, 572024, China
| | - Shumin Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable Biobreeding, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Yang Jiao
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable Biobreeding, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Xia Zhuang
- School of Life Sciences, National Navel Orange Engineering Research Center, Gannan Normal University, Ganzhou, China
| | - Lijun Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable Biobreeding, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Liqun Song
- Microbial Research Institute of Liaoning Province, Liaoning Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chaoyang, China
| | - Yuhong Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable Biobreeding, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Jianlong Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable Biobreeding, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Yan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable Biobreeding, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Zhenchuan Mao
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable Biobreeding, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China.
| | - Bingyan Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable Biobreeding, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China.
| | - Jian Ling
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable Biobreeding, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China.
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Mukherjee S, Beligala G, Feng C, Marzano SY. Double-Stranded RNA Targeting White Mold Sclerotinia sclerotiorum Argonaute 2 for Disease Control via Spray-Induced Gene Silencing. PHYTOPATHOLOGY 2024; 114:1253-1262. [PMID: 38170667 DOI: 10.1094/phyto-11-23-0431-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: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, the causal agent of white mold infection, is a cosmopolitan fungal pathogen that causes major yield losses in many economically important crops. Spray-induced gene silencing has recently been shown to be a promising alternative method for controlling plant diseases. Based on our prior research, we focused on developing a spray-induced gene silencing approach to control white mold by silencing S. sclerotiorum argonaute 2 (SsAgo2), a crucial part of the fungal small RNA pathway. We compared the lesion size as a result of targeting each ∼500-bp segment of SsAgo2 from the 5' to the 3' end and found that targeting the PIWI/RNaseH domain of SsAgo2 is most effective. External application of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)-suppressed white mold infection using either in vitro or in vivo transcripts was determined at the rate of 800 ng/0.2 cm2 area with a downregulation of SsAgo2 from infected leaf tissue confirmed by RT-qPCR. Furthermore, magnesium/iron-layered double hydroxide nanosheets loaded with in vitro- and in vivo-transcribed dsRNA segments significantly reduced the rate of S. sclerotiorum lesion expansion. In vivo-produced dsRNA targeting the PIWI/RNaseH domain of the SsAgo2 transcript showed increased efficacy in reducing the white mold symptoms of S. sclerotiorum when combined with layered double hydroxide nanosheets. This approach is promising to produce a large scale of dsRNA that can be deployed as an environmentally friendly fungicide to manage white mold infections in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soumya Mukherjee
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH
| | | | - Chenchen Feng
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH
| | - Shin-Yi Marzano
- U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Services, Application Technology Research Unit, Toledo, OH
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Chen A, Halilovic L, Shay JH, Koch A, Mitter N, Jin H. Improving RNA-based crop protection through nanotechnology and insights from cross-kingdom RNA trafficking. CURRENT OPINION IN PLANT BIOLOGY 2023; 76:102441. [PMID: 37696727 PMCID: PMC10777890 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbi.2023.102441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023]
Abstract
Spray-induced gene silencing (SIGS) is a powerful and eco-friendly method for crop protection. Based off the discovery of RNA uptake ability in many fungal pathogens, the application of exogenous RNAs targeting pathogen/pest genes results in gene silencing and infection inhibition. However, SIGS remains hindered by the rapid degradation of RNA in the environment. As extracellular vesicles are used by plants, animals, and microbes in nature to transport RNAs for cross-kingdom/species RNA interference between hosts and microbes/pests, nanovesicles and other nanoparticles have been used to prevent RNA degradation. Efforts examining the effect of nanoparticles on RNA stability and internalization have identified key attributes that can inform better nanocarrier designs for SIGS. Understanding sRNA biogenesis, cross-kingdom/species RNAi, and how plants and pathogens/pests naturally interact are paramount for the design of SIGS strategies. Here, we focus on nanotechnology advancements for the engineering of innovative RNA-based disease control strategies against eukaryotic pathogens and pests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Chen
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, Center for Plant Cell Biology, Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Lida Halilovic
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, Center for Plant Cell Biology, Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Jia-Hong Shay
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, Center for Plant Cell Biology, Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Aline Koch
- Institute of Plant Sciences Cell Biology and Plant Biochemistry, Plant RNA Transport, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Neena Mitter
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, Centre for Horticultural Science, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, 4072, Australia
| | - Hailing Jin
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, Center for Plant Cell Biology, Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA.
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5
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Cheng AP, Lederer B, Oberkofler L, Huang L, Johnson NR, Platten F, Dunker F, Tisserant C, Weiberg A. A fungal RNA-dependent RNA polymerase is a novel player in plant infection and cross-kingdom RNA interference. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011885. [PMID: 38117848 PMCID: PMC10766185 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Small RNAs act as fungal pathogen effectors that silence host target genes to promote infection, a virulence mechanism termed cross-kingdom RNA interference (RNAi). The essential pathogen factors of cross-kingdom small RNA production are largely unknown. We here characterized the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RDR)1 in the fungal plant pathogen Botrytis cinerea that is required for pathogenicity and cross-kingdom RNAi. B. cinerea bcrdr1 knockout (ko) mutants exhibited reduced pathogenicity and loss of cross-kingdom small RNAs. We developed a "switch-on" GFP reporter to study cross-kingdom RNAi in real-time within the living plant tissue which highlighted that bcrdr1 ko mutants were compromised in cross-kingdom RNAi. Moreover, blocking seven pathogen cross-kingdom small RNAs by expressing a short-tandem target mimic RNA in transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana led to reduced infection levels of the fungal pathogen B. cinerea and the oomycete pathogen Hyaloperonospora arabidopsidis. These results demonstrate that cross-kingdom RNAi is significant to promote host infection and making pathogen small RNAs an effective target for crop protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- An-Po Cheng
- Institute of Genetics, Faculty of Biology, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Bernhard Lederer
- Institute of Genetics, Faculty of Biology, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Lorenz Oberkofler
- Institute of Genetics, Faculty of Biology, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Lihong Huang
- Institute of Genetics, Faculty of Biology, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Nathan R. Johnson
- Centro de Genómica y Bioinformática, Facultad de Ciencias, Ingeniería y Tecnología, Universidad Mayor, Santiago, Chile
- ANID-Millennium Science Initiative Program-Millennium Institute for Integrative Biology (iBio), Santiago, Chile
| | - Fabian Platten
- Institute of Genetics, Faculty of Biology, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Florian Dunker
- Institute of Genetics, Faculty of Biology, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Constance Tisserant
- Institute of Genetics, Faculty of Biology, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Arne Weiberg
- Institute of Genetics, Faculty of Biology, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Martinsried, Germany
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6
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He B, Wang H, Liu G, Chen A, Calvo A, Cai Q, Jin H. Fungal small RNAs ride in extracellular vesicles to enter plant cells through clathrin-mediated endocytosis. Nat Commun 2023; 14:4383. [PMID: 37474601 PMCID: PMC10359353 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40093-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Small RNAs (sRNAs) of the fungal pathogen Botrytis cinerea can enter plant cells and hijack host Argonaute protein 1 (AGO1) to silence host immunity genes. However, the mechanism by which these fungal sRNAs are secreted and enter host cells remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate that B. cinerea utilizes extracellular vesicles (EVs) to secrete Bc-sRNAs, which are then internalized by plant cells through clathrin-mediated endocytosis (CME). The B. cinerea tetraspanin protein, Punchless 1 (BcPLS1), serves as an EV biomarker and plays an essential role in fungal pathogenicity. We observe numerous Arabidopsis clathrin-coated vesicles (CCVs) around B. cinerea infection sites and the colocalization of B. cinerea EV marker BcPLS1 and Arabidopsis CLATHRIN LIGHT CHAIN 1, one of the core components of CCV. Meanwhile, BcPLS1 and the B. cinerea-secreted sRNAs are detected in purified CCVs after infection. Arabidopsis knockout mutants and inducible dominant-negative mutants of key components of the CME pathway exhibit increased resistance to B. cinerea infection. Furthermore, Bc-sRNA loading into Arabidopsis AGO1 and host target gene suppression are attenuated in those CME mutants. Together, our results demonstrate that fungi secrete sRNAs via EVs, which then enter host plant cells mainly through CME.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baoye He
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, Center for Plant Cell Biology, Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Huan Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, Center for Plant Cell Biology, Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Guosheng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Hybrid Rice, College of Life Science, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Angela Chen
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, Center for Plant Cell Biology, Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Alejandra Calvo
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, Center for Plant Cell Biology, Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Qiang Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Hybrid Rice, College of Life Science, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Hailing Jin
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, Center for Plant Cell Biology, Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA.
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7
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He B, Wang H, Liu G, Chen A, Calvo A, Cai Q, Jin H. Fungal small RNAs ride in extracellular vesicles to enter plant cells through clathrin-mediated endocytosis. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.06.15.545159. [PMID: 37398405 PMCID: PMC10312686 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.15.545159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
Small RNAs (sRNAs) of the fungal pathogen Botrytis cinerea can enter plant cells and hijack host Argonaute protein 1 (AGO1) to silence host immunity genes. However, the mechanism by which these fungal sRNAs are secreted and enter host cells remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate that B. cinerea utilizes extracellular vesicles (EVs) to secrete Bc-sRNAs, which are then internalized by plant cells through clathrin-mediated endocytosis (CME). The B. cinerea tetraspanin protein, Punchless 1 (BcPLS1), serves as an EV biomarker and plays an essential role in fungal pathogenicity. We observe numerous Arabidopsis clathrin-coated vesicles (CCVs) around B. cinerea infection sites and the colocalization of B. cinerea EV marker BcPLS1 and Arabidopsis CLATHRIN LIGHT CHAIN 1, one of the core components of CCV. Meanwhile, BcPLS1 and the B. cinerea-secreted sRNAs are detected in purified CCVs after infection. Arabidopsis knockout mutants and inducible dominant-negative mutants of key components of CME pathway exhibit increased resistance to B. cinerea infection. Furthermore, Bc-sRNA loading into Arabidopsis AGO1 and host target gene suppression are attenuated in those CME mutants. Together, our results demonstrate that fungi secrete sRNAs via EVs, which then enter host plant cells mainly through CME.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baoye He
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, Center for Plant Cell Biology, Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Huan Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, Center for Plant Cell Biology, Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Guosheng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Hybrid Rice, College of Life Science, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Angela Chen
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, Center for Plant Cell Biology, Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Alejandra Calvo
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, Center for Plant Cell Biology, Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Qiang Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Hybrid Rice, College of Life Science, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Hailing Jin
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, Center for Plant Cell Biology, Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA
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8
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Cai Q, Halilovic L, Shi T, Chen A, He B, Wu H, Jin H. Extracellular vesicles: cross-organismal RNA trafficking in plants, microbes, and mammalian cells. EXTRACELLULAR VESICLES AND CIRCULATING NUCLEIC ACIDS 2023; 4:262-282. [PMID: 37575974 PMCID: PMC10419970 DOI: 10.20517/evcna.2023.10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membrane-enclosed nanometer-scale particles that transport biological materials such as RNAs, proteins, and metabolites. EVs have been discovered in nearly all kingdoms of life as a form of cellular communication across different cells and between interacting organisms. EV research has primarily focused on EV-mediated intra-organismal transport in mammals, which has led to the characterization of a plethora of EV contents from diverse cell types with distinct and impactful physiological effects. In contrast, research into EV-mediated transport in plants has focused on inter-organismal interactions between plants and interacting microbes. However, the overall molecular content and functions of plant and microbial EVs remain largely unknown. Recent studies into the plant-pathogen interface have demonstrated that plants produce and secrete EVs that transport small RNAs into pathogen cells to silence virulence-related genes. Plant-interacting microbes such as bacteria and fungi also secrete EVs which transport proteins, metabolites, and potentially RNAs into plant cells to enhance their virulence. This review will focus on recent advances in EV-mediated communications in plant-pathogen interactions compared to the current state of knowledge of mammalian EV capabilities and highlight the role of EVs in cross-kingdom RNA interference.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Hybrid Rice, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, Hubei, China
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Wuhan 430072, Hubei, China
| | - Lida Halilovic
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, Center for Plant Cell Biology, Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92507, United States
| | - Ting Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Hybrid Rice, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, Hubei, China
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Wuhan 430072, Hubei, China
| | - Angela Chen
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, Center for Plant Cell Biology, Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92507, United States
| | - Baoye He
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, Center for Plant Cell Biology, Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92507, United States
| | - Huaitong Wu
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, Center for Plant Cell Biology, Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92507, United States
| | - Hailing Jin
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, Center for Plant Cell Biology, Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92507, United States
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Qiao L, Niño‐Sánchez J, Hamby R, Capriotti L, Chen A, Mezzetti B, Jin H. Artificial nanovesicles for dsRNA delivery in spray-induced gene silencing for crop protection. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2023; 21:854-865. [PMID: 36601704 PMCID: PMC10037145 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.14001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Spray-induced gene silencing (SIGS) is an innovative and eco-friendly technology where topical application of pathogen gene-targeting RNAs to plant material can enable disease control. SIGS applications remain limited because of the instability of RNA, which can be rapidly degraded when exposed to various environmental conditions. Inspired by the natural mechanism of cross-kingdom RNAi through extracellular vesicle trafficking, we describe herein the use of artificial nanovesicles (AVs) for RNA encapsulation and control against the fungal pathogen, Botrytis cinerea. AVs were synthesized using three different cationic lipid formulations, DOTAP + PEG, DOTAP and DODMA, and examined for their ability to protect and deliver double stranded RNA (dsRNA). All three formulations enabled dsRNA delivery and uptake by B. cinerea. Further, encapsulating dsRNA in AVs provided strong protection from nuclease degradation and from removal by leaf washing. This improved stability led to prolonged RNAi-mediated protection against B. cinerea both on pre- and post-harvest plant material using AVs. Specifically, the AVs extended the protection duration conferred by dsRNA to 10 days on tomato and grape fruits and to 21 days on grape leaves. The results of this work demonstrate how AVs can be used as a new nanocarrier to overcome RNA instability in SIGS for crop protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lulu Qiao
- Department of Microbiology & Plant Pathology, Center for Plant Cell Biology, Institute for Integrative Genome BiologyUniversity of CaliforniaLos AngelesCAUSA
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Life SciencesZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Jonatan Niño‐Sánchez
- Department of Microbiology & Plant Pathology, Center for Plant Cell Biology, Institute for Integrative Genome BiologyUniversity of CaliforniaLos AngelesCAUSA
- Department of Plant Production and Forest ResourcesUniversity of ValladolidPalenciaSpain
- Sustainable Forest Management Research Institute (iuFOR)University of ValladolidPalenciaSpain
| | - Rachael Hamby
- Department of Microbiology & Plant Pathology, Center for Plant Cell Biology, Institute for Integrative Genome BiologyUniversity of CaliforniaLos AngelesCAUSA
| | - Luca Capriotti
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental SciencesMarche Polytechnic UniversityAnconaItaly
| | - Angela Chen
- Department of Microbiology & Plant Pathology, Center for Plant Cell Biology, Institute for Integrative Genome BiologyUniversity of CaliforniaLos AngelesCAUSA
| | - Bruno Mezzetti
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental SciencesMarche Polytechnic UniversityAnconaItaly
| | - Hailing Jin
- Department of Microbiology & Plant Pathology, Center for Plant Cell Biology, Institute for Integrative Genome BiologyUniversity of CaliforniaLos AngelesCAUSA
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10
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Qiao L, Niño-Sánchez J, Hamby R, Capriotti L, Chen A, Mezzetti B, Jin H. Artificial nanovesicles for dsRNA delivery in spray induced gene silencing for crop protection. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.03.522662. [PMID: 36711993 PMCID: PMC9882009 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.03.522662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Spray-Induced Gene Silencing (SIGS) is an innovative and eco-friendly technology where topical application of pathogen gene-targeting RNAs to plant material can enable disease control. SIGS applications remain limited because of the instability of dsRNA, which can be rapidly degraded when exposed to various environmental conditions. Inspired by the natural mechanism of cross-kingdom RNAi through extracellular vesicle trafficking, we describe herein the use of artificial nanovesicles (AVs) for dsRNA encapsulation and control against the fungal pathogen, Botrytis cinerea. AVs were synthesized using three different cationic lipid formulations, DOTAP + PEG, DOTAP, and DODMA, and examined for their ability to protect and deliver dsRNA. All three formulations enabled dsRNA delivery and uptake by B. cinerea. Further, encapsulating dsRNA in AVs provided strong protection from nuclease degradation and from removal by leaf washing. This improved stability led to prolonged RNAi-mediated protection against B. cinerea both on pre- and post-harvest plant material using AVs. Specifically, the AVs extended the protection duration conferred by dsRNA to 10 days on tomato and grape fruits and to 21 days on grape leaves. The results of this work demonstrate how AVs can be used as a new nanocarrier to overcome dsRNA instability in SIGS for crop protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lulu Qiao
- Department of Microbiology & Plant Pathology, Center for Plant Cell Biology, Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside, California 92521, USA
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Jonatan Niño-Sánchez
- Department of Microbiology & Plant Pathology, Center for Plant Cell Biology, Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside, California 92521, USA
- Department of Plant Production and Forest Resources, University of Valladolid, Palencia 34004, Spain
- Sustainable Forest Management Research Institute (iuFOR). University of Valladolid, Palencia 34004, Spain
| | - Rachael Hamby
- Department of Microbiology & Plant Pathology, Center for Plant Cell Biology, Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside, California 92521, USA
| | - Luca Capriotti
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, Marche Polytechnic University, 60131 Ancona, Italy
| | - Angela Chen
- Department of Microbiology & Plant Pathology, Center for Plant Cell Biology, Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside, California 92521, USA
| | - Bruno Mezzetti
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, Marche Polytechnic University, 60131 Ancona, Italy
| | - Hailing Jin
- Department of Microbiology & Plant Pathology, Center for Plant Cell Biology, Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside, California 92521, USA
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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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Hasterok R, Catalan P, Hazen SP, Roulin AC, Vogel JP, Wang K, Mur LAJ. Brachypodium: 20 years as a grass biology model system; the way forward? TRENDS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 27:1002-1016. [PMID: 35644781 DOI: 10.1016/j.tplants.2022.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
It has been 20 years since Brachypodium distachyon was suggested as a model grass species, but ongoing research now encompasses the entire genus. Extensive Brachypodium genome sequencing programmes have provided resources to explore the determinants and drivers of population diversity. This has been accompanied by cytomolecular studies to make Brachypodium a platform to investigate speciation, polyploidisation, perenniality, and various aspects of chromosome and interphase nucleus organisation. The value of Brachypodium as a functional genomic platform has been underscored by the identification of key genes for development, biotic and abiotic stress, and cell wall structure and function. While Brachypodium is relevant to the biofuel industry, its impact goes far beyond that as an intriguing model to study climate change and combinatorial stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Hasterok
- Plant Cytogenetics and Molecular Biology Group, Institute of Biology, Biotechnology and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Silesia in Katowice, Katowice 40-032, Poland.
| | - Pilar Catalan
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, High Polytechnic School of Huesca, University of Zaragoza, Huesca 22071, Spain; Grupo de Bioquímica, Biofísica y Biología Computacional (BIFI, UNIZAR), Unidad Asociada al CSIC, Zaragoza E-50059, Spain
| | - Samuel P Hazen
- Biology Department, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Anne C Roulin
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of Zürich, Zürich 8008, Switzerland
| | - John P Vogel
- DOE Joint Genome Institute, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; University California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Kai Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Nantong University, Nantong 226019, Jiangsu, China
| | - Luis A J Mur
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Edward Llwyd Building, Aberystwyth SY23 3DA, UK; College of Agronomy, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taiyuan 030801, Shanxi, China.
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Pradhan M, Requena N. Distinguishing friends from foes: Can smRNAs modulate plant interactions with beneficial and pathogenic organisms? CURRENT OPINION IN PLANT BIOLOGY 2022; 69:102259. [PMID: 35841651 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbi.2022.102259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
In their agro-ecological habitats, plants are constantly challenged by fungal interactions that might be pathogenic or beneficial in nature, and thus, plants need to exhibit appropriate responses to discriminate between them. Such interactions involve sophisticated molecular mechanism of signal exchange, signal transduction and regulation of gene expression. Small RNAs (smRNAs), including the microRNAs (miRNAs), form an essential layer of regulation in plant developmental processes as well as in plant adaptation to environmental stresses, being key for the outcome during plant-microbial interactions. Further, smRNAs are mobile signals that can go across kingdoms from one interacting partner to the other and hence can be used as communication as well as regulatory tools not only by the host plant but also by the colonising fungus. Here, largely with a focus on plant-fungal interactions and miRNAs, we will discuss the role of smRNAs, and how they might help plants to discriminate between friends and foes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maitree Pradhan
- Molecular Phytopathology, Botanical Institute, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Fritz-Haber-Weg 4, D-76131, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Natalia Requena
- Molecular Phytopathology, Botanical Institute, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Fritz-Haber-Weg 4, D-76131, Karlsruhe, Germany.
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Schlemmer T, Lischka R, Wegner L, Ehlers K, Biedenkopf D, Koch A. Extracellular vesicles isolated from dsRNA-sprayed barley plants exhibit no growth inhibition or gene silencing in Fusarium graminearum. Fungal Biol Biotechnol 2022; 9:14. [PMID: 35836276 PMCID: PMC9284790 DOI: 10.1186/s40694-022-00143-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Numerous reports have shown that incorporating a double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)-expressing transgene into plants or applying dsRNA by spraying it onto their leaves successfully protects them against invading pathogens exploiting the mechanism of RNA interference (RNAi). How dsRNAs or siRNAs are transferred between donor host cells and recipient fungal cells is largely unknown. It is speculated that plant extracellular vesicles (EVs) function as RNA shuttles between plants and their pathogens. Recently, we found that EVs isolated from host-induced gene silencing (HIGS) or spray-induced gene silencing (SIGS) plants contained dsRNA-derived siRNAs. In this study, we evaluated whether isolated EVs from dsRNA-sprayed barley (Hordeum vulgare) plants affected the growth of the phytopathogenic ascomycete Fusarium graminearum. Encouraged by our previous finding that dropping barley-derived EVs on F. graminearum cultures caused fungal stress phenotypes, we conducted an in vitro growth experiment in microtiter plates where we co-cultivated F. graminearum with plant EVs isolated from dsRNA-sprayed barley leaves. We observed that co-cultivation of F. graminearum macroconidia with barley EVs did not affect fungal growth. Furthermore, plant EVs containing SIGS-derived siRNA appeared not to affect F. graminearum growth and showed no gene silencing activity on F. graminearum CYP51 genes. Based on our findings, we concluded that either the amount of SIGS-derived siRNA was insufficient to induce target gene silencing in F. graminearum, indicating that the role of EVs in SIGS is minor, or that F. graminearum uptake of plant EVs from liquid cultures was inefficient or impossible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timo Schlemmer
- Centre for BioSystems, Land Use and Nutrition, Institute of Phytopathology, Justus Liebig University, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26, 35392, Giessen, Germany.,Institute of Phytomedicine, University of Hohenheim, Otto-Sander-Strasse 5, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Richard Lischka
- Centre for BioSystems, Land Use and Nutrition, Institute of Phytopathology, Justus Liebig University, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Linus Wegner
- Intitute of Botany, Justus Liebig University, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 38, 35292, Giessen, Germany
| | - Katrin Ehlers
- Intitute of Botany, Justus Liebig University, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 38, 35292, Giessen, Germany
| | - Dagmar Biedenkopf
- Centre for BioSystems, Land Use and Nutrition, Institute of Phytopathology, Justus Liebig University, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Aline Koch
- Institute of Phytomedicine, University of Hohenheim, Otto-Sander-Strasse 5, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany.
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A fungal effector suppresses the nuclear export of AGO1-miRNA complex to promote infection in plants. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2114583119. [PMID: 35290117 PMCID: PMC8944911 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2114583119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
SignificanceIncreasing evidence demonstrates that small RNAs can serve as trafficking effectors to mediate bidirectional transkingdom RNA interference (RNAi) in interacting organisms, including plant-pathogenic fungi systems. Previous findings demonstrated that plants can send microRNAs (miRNAs) to fungal pathogen Verticillium dahliae to trigger antifungal RNAi. Here we report that V. dahliae is able to secret an effector to the plant nucleus to interfere with the nuclear export of AGO1-miRNA complexes, leading to an inhibition in antifungal RNAi and increased virulence in plants. Thus, we reveal an antagonistic mechanism that can be exploited by fungal pathogens to counteract antifungal RNAi immunity via manipulation of plant small RNA function.
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