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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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Vatanparast M, Merkel L, Amari K. Exogenous Application of dsRNA in Plant Protection: Efficiency, Safety Concerns and Risk Assessment. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:6530. [PMID: 38928236 PMCID: PMC11204322 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25126530] [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: 05/17/2024] [Revised: 06/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The use of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) for plant protection shows great potential as a sustainable alternative to traditional pesticides. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge on using exogenous dsRNA in plant protection and includes the latest findings on the safety and efficiency of this strategy. The review also emphasizes the need for a cautious and comprehensive approach, considering safety considerations such as off-target effects and formulation challenges. The regulatory landscape in different regions is also discussed, underscoring the need for specific guidelines tailored to dsRNA-based pesticides. The review provides a crucial resource for researchers, regulators, and industry stakeholders, promoting a balanced approach incorporating innovation with thorough safety assessments. The continuous dialog emphasized in this review is essential for shaping the future of dsRNA-based plant protection. As the field advances, collaboration among scientists, regulators, and industry partners will play a vital role in establishing guidelines and ensuring the responsible, effective, and sustainable use of dsRNA in agriculture.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Khalid Amari
- Julius Kühn Institute (JKI), Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plant, Institute for Biosafety in Plant Biotechnology, D-06484 Quedlinburg, Germany
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Xi Y, Long X, Song M, Liu Y, Yan J, Lv Y, Yang H, Zhang Y, Miao W, Lin C. The fatty acid 2-hydroxylase CsSCS7 is a key hyphal growth factor and potential control target in Colletotrichum siamense. mBio 2024; 15:e0201523. [PMID: 38197633 PMCID: PMC10865788 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02015-23] [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: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024] Open
Abstract
SCS7 is a fatty acid 2-hydroxylase required for the synthesis of inositol phosphorylceramide but is not essential for normal growth in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Here, we demonstrate that the Colletotrichum siamense SCS7 homolog CsSCS7 plays a key role in hyphal growth. The CsSCS7 deletion mutant showed strong hyphal growth inhibition, small conidia, and marginally reduced sporulation and also resulted in a sharp reduction in the full virulence and increasing the fungicide sensitivity. The three protein domains (a cytochrome b5 domain, a transmembrane domain, and a hydroxylase domain) are important to CsSCS7 protein function in hyphal growth. The fatty acid assay results revealed that the CsSCS7 gene is important for balancing the contents of multiple mid-long- and short-chain fatty acids. Additionally, the retarded growth and virulence of C. siamense ΔCsSCS7 can be recovered partly by the reintroduction of homologous sequences from Magnaporthe oryzae and Fusarium graminearum but not SCS7 of S. cerevisiae. In addition, the spraying of C. siamense with naked CsSCS7-double-stranded RNA (dsRNAs), which leads to RNAi, increases the inhibition of hyphal growth and slightly decreases disease lesions. Then, we used nano material Mg-Al-layered double hydroxide as carriers to deliver dsRNA, which significantly enhanced the control effect of dsRNA, and the lesion area was obviously reduced. These data indicated that CsSCS7 is an important factor for hyphal growth and affects virulence and may be a potential control target in C. siamense and even in filamentous plant pathogenic fungi.IMPORTANCECsSCS7, which is homologous to yeast fatty acid 2-hydroxylase SCS7, was confirmed to play a key role in the hyphal growth of Colletotrichum siamense and affect its virulence. The CsSCS7 gene is involved in the synthesis and metabolism of fatty acids. Homologs from the filamentous fungi Magnaporthe oryzae and Fusarium graminearum can recover the retarded growth and virulence of C. siamense ΔCsSCS7. The spraying of double-stranded RNAs targeting CsSCS7 can inhibit hyphal growth and reduce the disease lesion area to some extent. After using nano material Mg-Al layered double hydroxide as carrier, the inhibition rates were significantly increased. We demonstrated that CsSCS7 is an important factor for hyphal growth and affects virulence and may be a potential control target in C. siamense and even in filamentous plant pathogenic fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yitao Xi
- Sanya Institute of Breeding and Mutiplication, Key Laboratory of Green Prevention and Control of Tropical Plant Diseases and Pest (Ministry of Education)/School of Tropical Agriculture and Forestry, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Xiping Long
- Sanya Institute of Breeding and Mutiplication, Key Laboratory of Green Prevention and Control of Tropical Plant Diseases and Pest (Ministry of Education)/School of Tropical Agriculture and Forestry, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Miao Song
- Sanya Institute of Breeding and Mutiplication, Key Laboratory of Green Prevention and Control of Tropical Plant Diseases and Pest (Ministry of Education)/School of Tropical Agriculture and Forestry, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Yu Liu
- Sanya Institute of Breeding and Mutiplication, Key Laboratory of Green Prevention and Control of Tropical Plant Diseases and Pest (Ministry of Education)/School of Tropical Agriculture and Forestry, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Jingting Yan
- Sanya Institute of Breeding and Mutiplication, Key Laboratory of Green Prevention and Control of Tropical Plant Diseases and Pest (Ministry of Education)/School of Tropical Agriculture and Forestry, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Yanyun Lv
- Sanya Institute of Breeding and Mutiplication, Key Laboratory of Green Prevention and Control of Tropical Plant Diseases and Pest (Ministry of Education)/School of Tropical Agriculture and Forestry, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Hong Yang
- Sanya Institute of Breeding and Mutiplication, Key Laboratory of Green Prevention and Control of Tropical Plant Diseases and Pest (Ministry of Education)/School of Tropical Agriculture and Forestry, Hainan University, Haikou, China
- Rubber Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Science, Haikou, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Sanya Institute of Breeding and Mutiplication, Key Laboratory of Green Prevention and Control of Tropical Plant Diseases and Pest (Ministry of Education)/School of Tropical Agriculture and Forestry, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Weiguo Miao
- Sanya Institute of Breeding and Mutiplication, Key Laboratory of Green Prevention and Control of Tropical Plant Diseases and Pest (Ministry of Education)/School of Tropical Agriculture and Forestry, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Chunhua Lin
- Sanya Institute of Breeding and Mutiplication, Key Laboratory of Green Prevention and Control of Tropical Plant Diseases and Pest (Ministry of Education)/School of Tropical Agriculture and Forestry, Hainan University, Haikou, China
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Venios X, Gkizi D, Nisiotou A, Korkas E, Tjamos SE, Zamioudis C, Banilas G. Emerging Roles of Epigenetics in Grapevine and Winegrowing. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 13:515. [PMID: 38498480 PMCID: PMC10893341 DOI: 10.3390/plants13040515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 02/10/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
Epigenetics refers to dynamic chemical modifications to the genome that can perpetuate gene activity without changes in the DNA sequence. Epigenetic mechanisms play important roles in growth and development. They may also drive plant adaptation to adverse environmental conditions by buffering environmental variation. Grapevine is an important perennial fruit crop cultivated worldwide, but mostly in temperate zones with hot and dry summers. The decrease in rainfall and the rise in temperature due to climate change, along with the expansion of pests and diseases, constitute serious threats to the sustainability of winegrowing. Ongoing research shows that epigenetic modifications are key regulators of important grapevine developmental processes, including berry growth and ripening. Variations in epigenetic modifications driven by genotype-environment interplay may also lead to novel phenotypes in response to environmental cues, a phenomenon called phenotypic plasticity. Here, we summarize the recent advances in the emerging field of grapevine epigenetics. We primarily highlight the impact of epigenetics to grapevine stress responses and acquisition of stress tolerance. We further discuss how epigenetics may affect winegrowing and also shape the quality of wine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xenophon Venios
- Department of Wine, Vine and Beverage Sciences, University of West Attica, Ag. Spyridonos 28, 12243 Athens, Greece; (X.V.); (D.G.); (E.K.)
| | - Danai Gkizi
- Department of Wine, Vine and Beverage Sciences, University of West Attica, Ag. Spyridonos 28, 12243 Athens, Greece; (X.V.); (D.G.); (E.K.)
| | - Aspasia Nisiotou
- Institute of Technology of Agricultural Products, Hellenic Agricultural Organization “Demeter”, Sofokli Venizelou 1, 14123 Lykovryssi, Greece;
| | - Elias Korkas
- Department of Wine, Vine and Beverage Sciences, University of West Attica, Ag. Spyridonos 28, 12243 Athens, Greece; (X.V.); (D.G.); (E.K.)
| | - Sotirios E. Tjamos
- Laboratory of Plant Pathology, Agricultural University of Athens, 75 Iera Odos Str., 11855 Athens, Greece;
| | - Christos Zamioudis
- Department of Agricultural Development, Democritus University of Thrace, Pantazidou 193, 68200 Orestiada, Greece;
| | - Georgios Banilas
- Department of Wine, Vine and Beverage Sciences, University of West Attica, Ag. Spyridonos 28, 12243 Athens, Greece; (X.V.); (D.G.); (E.K.)
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Peng J, Wang X, Wang H, Li X, Zhang Q, Wang M, Yan J. Advances in understanding grapevine downy mildew: From pathogen infection to disease management. MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY 2024; 25:e13401. [PMID: 37991155 PMCID: PMC10788597 DOI: 10.1111/mpp.13401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
Plasmopara viticola is geographically widespread in grapevine-growing regions. Grapevine downy mildew disease, caused by this biotrophic pathogen, leads to considerable yield losses in viticulture annually. Because of the great significance of grapevine production and wine quality, research on this disease has been widely performed since its emergence in the 19th century. Here, we review and discuss recent understanding of this pathogen from multiple aspects, including its infection cycle, disease symptoms, genome decoding, effector biology, and management and control strategies. We highlight the identification and characterization of effector proteins with their biological roles in host-pathogen interaction, with a focus on sustainable control methods against P. viticola, especially the use of biocontrol agents and environmentally friendly compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junbo Peng
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Environment Friendly Management on Fruit Diseases and Pests in North ChinaInstitute of Plant Protection, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Xuncheng Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Environment Friendly Management on Fruit Diseases and Pests in North ChinaInstitute of Plant Protection, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Hui Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Environment Friendly Management on Fruit Diseases and Pests in North ChinaInstitute of Plant Protection, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Xinghong Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Environment Friendly Management on Fruit Diseases and Pests in North ChinaInstitute of Plant Protection, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Qi Zhang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Environment Friendly Management on Fruit Diseases and Pests in North ChinaInstitute of Plant Protection, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Meng Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Environment Friendly Management on Fruit Diseases and Pests in North ChinaInstitute of Plant Protection, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Jiye Yan
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Environment Friendly Management on Fruit Diseases and Pests in North ChinaInstitute of Plant Protection, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry SciencesBeijingChina
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Kim S, Lee R, Jeon H, Lee N, Park J, Moon H, Shin J, Min K, Kim JE, Yang JW, Son H. Identification of Essential Genes for the Establishment of Spray-Induced Gene Silencing-Based Disease Control in Fusarium graminearum. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2023; 71:19302-19311. [PMID: 38018120 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.3c04557] [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: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
As resistance to chemical fungicides continues to increase inFusarium graminearum, there is a growing need to develop novel disease control strategies. To discover essential genes that could serve as new disease control targets, we selected essential gene candidates that had failed to be deleted in previous studies. Thirteen genes were confirmed to be essential, either by constructing conditional promoter replacement mutants or by employing a clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9)-mediated editing strategy. We synthesized double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) targeting these essential genes and analyzed their protective effects in plants using a spray-induced gene silencing (SIGS) method. When dsRNAs targeting Fg10360, Fg13150, and Fg06123 were applied to detached barley leaves prior to fungal inoculation, disease lesions were greatly reduced. Our findings provide evidence of the potential of essential genes identified by a SIGS method to be effective targets for the control of fungal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sieun Kim
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Rowoon Lee
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Hosung Jeon
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Nahyun Lee
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Jiyeun Park
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Heeji Moon
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Jiyoung Shin
- Division of Bioresources Bank, Honam National Institute of Biological Resources, Mokpo 58762, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyunghun Min
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung-Eun Kim
- Research Institute of Climate Change and Agriculture, National Institute of Horticultural and Herbal Science, Jeju 63240, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung-Wook Yang
- Crop Cultivation and Environment Research Division, National Institute of Crop Science, Rural Development Administration, Suwon 16429, Republic of Korea
| | - Hokyoung Son
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
- Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
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Scarpin D, Nerva L, Chitarra W, Moffa L, D'Este F, Vuerich M, Filippi A, Braidot E, Petrussa E. Characterisation and functionalisation of chitosan nanoparticles as carriers for double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) molecules towards sustainable crop protection. Biosci Rep 2023; 43:BSR20230817. [PMID: 37881894 PMCID: PMC10643051 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20230817] [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: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The need to minimise the impact of phytosanitary treatments for disease control boosted researchers to implement techniques with less environmental impact. The development of technologies using molecular mechanisms based on the modulation of metabolism by short dsRNA sequences appears promising. The intrinsic fragility of polynucleotides and the high cost of these techniques can be circumvented by nanocarriers that protect the bioactive molecule enabling high efficiency delivery to the leaf surface and extending its half-life. In this work, a specific protocol was developed aiming to assess the best methodological conditions for the synthesis of low-size chitosan nanoparticles (NPs) to be loaded with nucleotides. In particular, NPs have been functionalised with partially purified Green Fluorescent Protein dsRNAs (GFP dsRNA) and their size, surface charge and nucleotide retention capacity were analysed. Final NPs were also stained with FITC and sprayed on Nicotiana benthamiana leaves to assess, by confocal microscopy, both a distribution protocol and the fate of NPs up to 6 days after application. Finally, to confirm the ability of NPs to increase the efficacy of dsRNA interference, specific tests were performed: by means of GFP dsRNA-functionalised NPs, the nucleotide permanence during time was assessed both in vitro on detached wild-type N. benthamiana leaves and in planta; lastly, the inhibition of Botrytis cinerea on single leaves was also evaluated, using a specific fungal sequence (Bc dsRNA) as the NPs' functionalising agent. The encouraging results obtained are promising in the perspective of long-lasting application of innovative treatments based on gene silencing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dora Scarpin
- Department of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Animal Sciences (DI4A), University of Udine, Via delle Scienze 206, 33100 Udine, Italy
| | - Luca Nerva
- Research Centre for Viticulture and Enology, Council for Agricultural Research and Economics (CREA-VE), Via XXVIII Aprile 26, 31015 Conegliano (TV), Italy
| | - Walter Chitarra
- Research Centre for Viticulture and Enology, Council for Agricultural Research and Economics (CREA-VE), Via XXVIII Aprile 26, 31015 Conegliano (TV), Italy
| | - Loredana Moffa
- Research Centre for Viticulture and Enology, Council for Agricultural Research and Economics (CREA-VE), Via XXVIII Aprile 26, 31015 Conegliano (TV), Italy
| | - Francesca D'Este
- Department of Medicine (DAME), University of Udine, P.le Kolbe 4, 33100 Udine, Italy
| | - Marco Vuerich
- Department of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Animal Sciences (DI4A), University of Udine, Via delle Scienze 206, 33100 Udine, Italy
| | - Antonio Filippi
- Department of Medicine (DAME), University of Udine, P.le Kolbe 4, 33100 Udine, Italy
| | - Enrico Braidot
- Department of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Animal Sciences (DI4A), University of Udine, Via delle Scienze 206, 33100 Udine, Italy
| | - Elisa Petrussa
- Department of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Animal Sciences (DI4A), University of Udine, Via delle Scienze 206, 33100 Udine, Italy
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McLaughlin MS, Roy M, Abbasi PA, Carisse O, Yurgel SN, Ali S. Why Do We Need Alternative Methods for Fungal Disease Management in Plants? PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:3822. [PMID: 38005718 PMCID: PMC10675458 DOI: 10.3390/plants12223822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023]
Abstract
Fungal pathogens pose a major threat to food production worldwide. Traditionally, chemical fungicides have been the primary means of controlling these pathogens, but many of these fungicides have recently come under increased scrutiny due to their negative effects on the health of humans, animals, and the environment. Furthermore, the use of chemical fungicides can result in the development of resistance in populations of phytopathogenic fungi. Therefore, new environmentally friendly alternatives that provide adequate levels of disease control are needed to replace chemical fungicides-if not completely, then at least partially. A number of alternatives to conventional chemical fungicides have been developed, including plant defence elicitors (PDEs); biological control agents (fungi, bacteria, and mycoviruses), either alone or as consortia; biochemical fungicides; natural products; RNA interference (RNAi) methods; and resistance breeding. This article reviews the conventional and alternative methods available to manage fungal pathogens, discusses their strengths and weaknesses, and identifies potential areas for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael S. McLaughlin
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Kentville Research and Development Centre, Kentville, NS B4N 1J5, Canada; (M.S.M.); (M.R.); (P.A.A.)
- Department of Plant, Food and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Dalhousie University, Truro, NS B2N 4H5, Canada
| | - Maria Roy
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Kentville Research and Development Centre, Kentville, NS B4N 1J5, Canada; (M.S.M.); (M.R.); (P.A.A.)
- Department of Biology, Acadia University, Wolfville, NS B4P 2R6, Canada
| | - Pervaiz A. Abbasi
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Kentville Research and Development Centre, Kentville, NS B4N 1J5, Canada; (M.S.M.); (M.R.); (P.A.A.)
| | - Odile Carisse
- Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu Research Development Centre, Science and Technology Branch, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC J3B 7B5, Canada;
| | - Svetlana N. Yurgel
- United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service, Grain Legume Genetics and Physiology Research Unit, Prosser, WA 99350, USA;
| | - Shawkat Ali
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Kentville Research and Development Centre, Kentville, NS B4N 1J5, Canada; (M.S.M.); (M.R.); (P.A.A.)
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Vigneron N, Grimplet J, Remolif E, Rienth M. Unravelling molecular mechanisms involved in resistance priming against downy mildew (Plasmopara viticola) in grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.). Sci Rep 2023; 13:14664. [PMID: 37674030 PMCID: PMC10482922 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-41981-x] [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: 03/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Downy mildew (DM; Plasmopara viticola) is amongst the most severe fungal diseases in viticulture and the reason for the majority of fungicide applications. To reduce synthetic and copper-based fungicides, there is an urgent need for natural alternatives, which are being increasingly tested by the industry and the research community. However, their mode of action remains unclear. Therefore, our study aimed to investigate the transcriptomic changes induced by oregano essential oil vapour (OEOV) in DM-infected grapevines. OEOV was applied at different time points before and after DM infection to differentiate between a priming effect and a direct effect. Both pre-DM treatment with OEOV and post-infection treatment resulted in a significant reduction in DM sporulation. RNA-seq, followed by differential gene expression and weighted gene co-expression network analysis, identified co-expressed gene modules associated with secondary metabolism, pathogen recognition and response. Surprisingly, the molecular mechanisms underlying the efficiency of OEOV against DM appear to be independent of stilbene synthesis, and instead involve genes from a putative signalling pathway that has yet to be characterized. This study enhances our understanding of the molecular regulation of innate plant immunity and provides new insights into the mode of action of alternative natural antifungal agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Vigneron
- University of Sciences and Art Western Switzerland, Changins College for Viticulture and Enology, Route de Duillier 60, 1260, Nyon, Switzerland
| | - Jérôme Grimplet
- Departamento de Ciencia Vegetal, Centro de Investigación y Tecnología Agroalimentaria de Aragón, Avda. Montanaña 930, 50059, Zaragoza, Spain
- Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón-IA2 (CITA-Universidad de Zaragoza), 50013, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Eric Remolif
- Agroscope, Plant Protection, Mycology, Route de Duillier 60, 1260, Nyon, Switzerland
| | - Markus Rienth
- University of Sciences and Art Western Switzerland, Changins College for Viticulture and Enology, Route de Duillier 60, 1260, Nyon, Switzerland.
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McRae AG, Taneja J, Yee K, Shi X, Haridas S, LaButti K, Singan V, Grigoriev IV, Wildermuth MC. Spray-induced gene silencing to identify powdery mildew gene targets and processes for powdery mildew control. MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY 2023; 24:1168-1183. [PMID: 37340595 PMCID: PMC10423327 DOI: 10.1111/mpp.13361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023]
Abstract
Spray-induced gene silencing (SIGS) is an emerging tool for crop pest protection. It utilizes exogenously applied double-stranded RNA to specifically reduce pest target gene expression using endogenous RNA interference machinery. In this study, SIGS methods were developed and optimized for powdery mildew fungi, which are widespread obligate biotrophic fungi that infect agricultural crops, using the known azole-fungicide target cytochrome P450 51 (CYP51) in the Golovinomyces orontii-Arabidopsis thaliana pathosystem. Additional screening resulted in the identification of conserved gene targets and processes important to powdery mildew proliferation: apoptosis-antagonizing transcription factor in essential cellular metabolism and stress response; lipid catabolism genes lipase a, lipase 1, and acetyl-CoA oxidase in energy production; and genes involved in manipulation of the plant host via abscisic acid metabolism (9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase, xanthoxin dehydrogenase, and a putative abscisic acid G-protein coupled receptor) and secretion of the effector protein, effector candidate 2. Powdery mildew is the dominant disease impacting grapes and extensive powdery mildew resistance to applied fungicides has been reported. We therefore developed SIGS for the Erysiphe necator-Vitis vinifera system and tested six successful targets identified using the G. orontii-A. thaliana system. For all targets tested, a similar reduction in powdery mildew disease was observed between systems. This indicates screening of broadly conserved targets in the G. orontii-A. thaliana pathosystem identifies targets and processes for the successful control of other powdery mildew fungi. The efficacy of SIGS on powdery mildew fungi makes SIGS an exciting prospect for commercial powdery mildew control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda G. McRae
- Department of Plant and Microbial BiologyUniversity of CaliforniaBerkeleyCaliforniaUSA
| | - Jyoti Taneja
- Department of Plant and Microbial BiologyUniversity of CaliforniaBerkeleyCaliforniaUSA
| | - Kathleen Yee
- Department of Plant and Microbial BiologyUniversity of CaliforniaBerkeleyCaliforniaUSA
| | - Xinyi Shi
- Department of Plant and Microbial BiologyUniversity of CaliforniaBerkeleyCaliforniaUSA
| | - Sajeet Haridas
- US Department of Energy Joint Genome InstituteLawrence Berkeley National LaboratoryBerkeleyCaliforniaUSA
| | - Kurt LaButti
- US Department of Energy Joint Genome InstituteLawrence Berkeley National LaboratoryBerkeleyCaliforniaUSA
| | - Vasanth Singan
- US Department of Energy Joint Genome InstituteLawrence Berkeley National LaboratoryBerkeleyCaliforniaUSA
| | - Igor V. Grigoriev
- Department of Plant and Microbial BiologyUniversity of CaliforniaBerkeleyCaliforniaUSA
- US Department of Energy Joint Genome InstituteLawrence Berkeley National LaboratoryBerkeleyCaliforniaUSA
| | - Mary C. Wildermuth
- Department of Plant and Microbial BiologyUniversity of CaliforniaBerkeleyCaliforniaUSA
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11
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Ghosh S, Patra S, Ray S. A Combinatorial Nanobased Spray-Induced Gene Silencing Technique for Crop Protection and Improvement. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:22345-22351. [PMID: 37396279 PMCID: PMC10308407 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c01968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
Recent research reports have shown that plant pests and pathogens have depleted the crop yield widely, which has led to an increased dependence on commercial pesticides and fungicides. Increased usage of these pesticides has also shown adverse effects on the environment, therefore many techniques have been implemented for solving the issue, some of which include using nanobioconjugates, RNA(i), which put into use double-stranded RNAs to inhibit gene expression. A more innovative and eco-friendly strategy includes spray induced gene silencing, which is being increasingly implemented. This review delves into the eco-friendly approach of spray induced gene silencing (SIGS) in combination with nanobioconjugates, which have been used concerning various plant hosts and their pathogens to provide improved protection. Furthermore, nanotechnological advancements have been understood by addressing the scientific gaps to provide a rationale for the development of updated techniques in crop protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Snigdha Ghosh
- Amity
Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University,
Kolkata, Plot No: 36, 37, and 38 Major Arterial Road, Action Area II, Kadampukur
Village, Rajarhat, Newtown, Kolkata, West Bengal-700135, India
| | - Snehanjana Patra
- Amity
Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University,
Kolkata, Plot No: 36, 37, and 38 Major Arterial Road, Action Area II, Kadampukur
Village, Rajarhat, Newtown, Kolkata, West Bengal-700135, India
| | - Sarmistha Ray
- Amity
Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University,
Kolkata, Plot No: 36, 37, and 38 Major Arterial Road, Action Area II, Kadampukur
Village, Rajarhat, Newtown, Kolkata, West Bengal-700135, India
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12
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Koeppe S, Kawchuk L, Kalischuk M. RNA Interference Past and Future Applications in Plants. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24119755. [PMID: 37298705 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Antisense RNA was observed to elicit plant disease resistance and post-translational gene silencing (PTGS). The universal mechanism of RNA interference (RNAi) was shown to be induced by double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), an intermediate produced during virus replication. Plant viruses with a single-stranded positive-sense RNA genome have been instrumental in the discovery and characterization of systemic RNA silencing and suppression. An increasing number of applications for RNA silencing have emerged involving the exogenous application of dsRNA through spray-induced gene silencing (SIGS) that provides specificity and environmentally friendly options for crop protection and improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Koeppe
- Department of Plant Agriculture, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road E., Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Lawrence Kawchuk
- Research Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 5403 1 Ave S., Lethbridge, AB T1J 4B1, Canada
| | - Melanie Kalischuk
- Department of Plant Agriculture, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road E., Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
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13
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Singewar K, Fladung M. Double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) technology to control forest insect pests and fungal pathogens: challenges and opportunities. Funct Integr Genomics 2023; 23:185. [PMID: 37243792 DOI: 10.1007/s10142-023-01107-y] [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: 07/04/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Climate change alters the seasonal synchronization between plants and respective pests plus pathogens. The geographical infiltration helps to shift their hosts, resulting in novel outbreaks that damage forests and ecology. Traditional management schemes are unable to control such outbreaks, therefore unconventional and competitive governance is needed to manage forest pests and pathogens. RNA interference (RNAi) mediated double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) treatment method can be implemented to protect forest trees. Exogenous dsRNA triggers the RNAi-mediated gene silencing of a vital gene, and suspends protein production, resulting in the death of targeted pathogens and pests. The dsRNA treatment method is successful for many crop insects and fungi, however, studies of dsRNA against forest pests and pathogens are depleting. Pesticides and fungicides based on dsRNA could be used to combat pathogens that caused outbreaks in different parts of the world. Although the dsRNA has proved its potential, the crucial dilemma and risks including species-specific gene selection, and dsRNA delivery methods cannot be overlooked. Here, we summarized the major fungi pathogens and insect pests that have caused outbreaks, their genomic information, and studies on dsRNA fungi-and pesticides. Current challenges and opportunities in dsRNA target decision, delivery using nanoparticles, direct applications, and a new method using mycorrhiza for forest tree protection are discussed. The importance of affordable next-generation sequencing to minimize the impact on non-target species is discussed. We suggest that collaborative research among forest genomics and pathology institutes could develop necessary dsRNA strategies to protect forest tree species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiran Singewar
- Thünen Institute of Forest Genetics, 22927, Großhansdorf, Germany.
| | - Matthias Fladung
- Thünen Institute of Forest Genetics, 22927, Großhansdorf, Germany.
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14
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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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15
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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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16
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Qin S, Veloso J, Puccetti G, van Kan JAL. Molecular characterization of cross-kingdom RNA interference in Botrytis cinerea by tomato small RNAs. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1107888. [PMID: 36968352 PMCID: PMC10031073 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1107888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies have suggested that plants can modulate gene expression in pathogenic fungi by producing small RNAs (sRNAs) that can be translocated into the fungus and mediate gene silencing, which may interfere with the infection mechanism of the intruder. We sequenced sRNAs and mRNAs in early phases of the Solanum lycopersicum (tomato)-Botrytis cinerea interaction and examined the potential of plant sRNAs to silence their predicted mRNA targets in the fungus. Almost a million unique plant sRNAs were identified that could potentially target 97% of all fungal genes. We selected three fungal genes for detailed RT-qPCR analysis of the correlation between the abundance of specific plant sRNAs and their target mRNAs in the fungus. The fungal Bcspl1 gene, which had been reported to be important for the fungal virulence, showed transient down-regulation around 20 hours post inoculation and contained a unique target site for a single plant sRNA that was present at high levels. In order to study the functionality of this plant sRNA in reducing the Bcspl1 transcript level, we generated a fungal mutant that contained a 5-nucleotide substitution that would abolish the interaction between the transcript and the sRNA without changing the encoded protein sequence. The level of the mutant Bcspl1 transcript showed a transient decrease similar to wild type transcript, indicating that the tomato sRNA was not responsible for the downregulation of the Bcspl1 transcript. The virulence of the Bcspl1 target site mutant was identical to the wild type fungus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si Qin
- Laboratory of Phytopathology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Javier Veloso
- Laboratory of Phytopathology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, Netherlands
- Departamento de Biología Funcional, Escuela Politécnica Superior de Ingeniería, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain
| | - Guido Puccetti
- Laboratory of Phytopathology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Jan A. L. van Kan
- Laboratory of Phytopathology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, Netherlands
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17
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Knockdown of Bmp1 and Pls1 Virulence Genes by Exogenous Application of RNAi-Inducing dsRNA in Botrytis cinerea. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054869. [PMID: 36902297 PMCID: PMC10003348 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Botrytis cinerea is a pathogen of wide agronomic and scientific importance partly due to its tendency to develop fungicide resistance. Recently, there has been great interest in the use of RNA interference as a control strategy against B. cinerea. In order to reduce the possible effects on non-target species, the sequence-dependent nature of RNAi can be used as an advantage to customize the design of dsRNA molecules. We selected two genes related to virulence: BcBmp1 (a MAP kinase essential for fungal pathogenesis) and BcPls1 (a tetraspanin related to appressorium penetration). After performing a prediction analysis of small interfering RNAs, dsRNAs of 344 (BcBmp1) and 413 (BcPls1) nucleotides were synthesized in vitro. We tested the effect of topical applications of dsRNAs, both in vitro by a fungal growth assay in microtiter plates and in vivo on artificially inoculated detached lettuce leaves. In both cases, topical applications of dsRNA led to gene knockdown with a delay in conidial germination for BcBmp1, an evident growth retardation for BcPls1, and a strong reduction in necrotic lesions on lettuce leaves for both genes. Furthermore, a strongly reduced expression of the BcBmp1 and BcPls1 genes was observed in both in vitro and in vivo experiments, suggesting that these genes could be promising targets for the development of RNAi-based fungicides against B. cinerea.
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18
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Degnan RM, McTaggart AR, Shuey LS, Pame LJS, Smith GR, Gardiner DM, Nock V, Soffe R, Sale S, Garrill A, Carroll BJ, Mitter N, Sawyer A. Exogenous double-stranded RNA inhibits the infection physiology of rust fungi to reduce symptoms in planta. MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY 2023; 24:191-207. [PMID: 36528383 PMCID: PMC9923395 DOI: 10.1111/mpp.13286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Rust fungi (Pucciniales) are a diverse group of plant pathogens in natural and agricultural systems. They pose ongoing threats to the diversity of native flora and cause annual crop yield losses. Agricultural rusts are predominantly managed with fungicides and breeding for resistance, but new control strategies are needed on non-agricultural plants and in fragile ecosystems. RNA interference (RNAi) induced by exogenous double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) has promise as a sustainable approach for managing plant-pathogenic fungi, including rust fungi. We investigated the mechanisms and impact of exogenous dsRNA on rust fungi through in vitro and whole-plant assays using two species as models, Austropuccinia psidii (the cause of myrtle rust) and Coleosporium plumeriae (the cause of frangipani rust). In vitro, dsRNA either associates externally or is internalized by urediniospores during the early stages of germination. The impact of dsRNA on rust infection architecture was examined on artificial leaf surfaces. dsRNA targeting predicted essential genes significantly reduced germination and inhibited development of infection structures, namely appressoria and penetration pegs. Exogenous dsRNA sprayed onto 1-year-old trees significantly reduced myrtle rust symptoms. Furthermore, we used comparative genomics to assess the wide-scale amenability of dsRNA to control rust fungi. We sequenced genomes of six species of rust fungi, including three new families (Araucariomyceaceae, Phragmidiaceae, and Skierkaceae) and identified key genes of the RNAi pathway across 15 species in eight families of Pucciniales. Together, these findings indicate that dsRNA targeting essential genes has potential for broad-use management of rust fungi across natural and agricultural systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca M. Degnan
- School of Chemistry and Molecular BiosciencesThe University of QueenslandSt LuciaQueenslandAustralia
| | - Alistair R. McTaggart
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, Centre for Horticultural ScienceThe University of QueenslandSt LuciaQueenslandAustralia
| | - Louise S. Shuey
- Queensland Department of Agriculture and FisheriesEcosciences PrecinctDutton ParkQueenslandAustralia
| | - Leny Jane S. Pame
- School of Chemistry and Molecular BiosciencesThe University of QueenslandSt LuciaQueenslandAustralia
| | - Grant R. Smith
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research LimitedLincolnNew Zealand
| | - Donald M. Gardiner
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, Centre for Horticultural ScienceThe University of QueenslandSt LuciaQueenslandAustralia
| | - Volker Nock
- Department of Electrical and Computer EngineeringUniversity of CanterburyChristchurchNew Zealand
| | - Rebecca Soffe
- Department of Electrical and Computer EngineeringUniversity of CanterburyChristchurchNew Zealand
- Present address:
School of EngineeringRMIT UniversityMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Sarah Sale
- Department of Electrical and Computer EngineeringUniversity of CanterburyChristchurchNew Zealand
- School of Biological SciencesUniversity of CanterburyChristchurchNew Zealand
| | - Ashley Garrill
- School of Biological SciencesUniversity of CanterburyChristchurchNew Zealand
| | - Bernard J. Carroll
- School of Chemistry and Molecular BiosciencesThe University of QueenslandSt LuciaQueenslandAustralia
| | - Neena Mitter
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, Centre for Horticultural ScienceThe University of QueenslandSt LuciaQueenslandAustralia
| | - Anne Sawyer
- School of Chemistry and Molecular BiosciencesThe University of QueenslandSt LuciaQueenslandAustralia
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, Centre for Horticultural ScienceThe University of QueenslandSt LuciaQueenslandAustralia
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19
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Wu F, Huang Y, Jiang W, Jin W. Genome-wide identification and validation of tomato-encoded sRNA as the cross-species antifungal factors targeting the virulence genes of Botrytis cinerea. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1072181. [PMID: 36818832 PMCID: PMC9933504 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1072181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Recent evidence shows that small RNAs are transferred from a species to another through cross-species transmission and exhibit biological activities in the receptor. In this study, we focused on tomato-derived sRNAs play a role of defense against Botrytis cinerea. Bioinformatics method was firstly employed to identify tomato-encoded sRNAs as the cross-species antifungal factors targeting B. cinerea genes. Then the expression levels of some identifed sRNAs were checked in B. cinerea-infected plant using qRT-PCR method. Exogenic RNA-induced gene silences analysis were performed to investigate the antifungal roles of the sRNAs, and the target genes in B. cinerea of antifungal sRNAs would be confirmed by using co-expression analysis. Results showed that a total of 21 B.cinerea-induced sRNAs with high abundance were identified as the cross-kingdom regulator candidates. Among them, three sRNAs containing a miRNA (miR396a-5p) and two siRNA (siR3 and siR14) were selected for experimental validation and bioassay analysis. qRT-PCR confirmed that all of these 3 sRNAs were induced in tomato leaves by B. cinerea infection. Correspondingly, 4 virulence genes of B. cinerea respectively targeted by these 3 sRNAs were down-regulated. Bioassay revealed that all of these 3 cross-species sRNAs could inhibit the virulence and spore gemination of B. cinerea. Correspondingly, the coding genes of B. cinerea targeted by these sRNAs were also down-regulated. Moreover, the virulence inhibition by double strand sRNA was more effective than that by single strand sRNA. The inhibition efficiency of sRNA against B. cinerea increased with the increase of its concentration. Our findings provide new evidence into the coevolution of pathogens and host plants, as well as new directions for the use of plant-derived sRNAs to control pathogens.
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20
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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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21
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Qin S, Veloso J, Baak M, Boogmans B, Bosman T, Puccetti G, Shi‐Kunne X, Smit S, Grant‐Downton R, Leisen T, Hahn M, van Kan JAL. Molecular characterization reveals no functional evidence for naturally occurring cross-kingdom RNA interference in the early stages of Botrytis cinerea-tomato interaction. MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY 2023; 24:3-15. [PMID: 36168919 PMCID: PMC9742496 DOI: 10.1111/mpp.13269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Plant immune responses are triggered during the interaction with pathogens. The fungus Botrytis cinerea has previously been reported to use small RNAs (sRNAs) as effector molecules capable of interfering with the host immune response. Conversely, a host plant produces sRNAs that may interfere with the infection mechanism of an intruder. We used high-throughput sequencing to identify sRNAs produced by B. cinerea and Solanum lycopersicum (tomato) during early phases of interaction and to examine the expression of their predicted mRNA targets in the other organism. A total of 7042 B. cinerea sRNAs were predicted to target 3185 mRNAs in tomato. Of the predicted tomato target genes, 163 were indeed transcriptionally down-regulated during the early phase of infection. Several experiments were performed to study a causal relation between the production of B. cinerea sRNAs and the down-regulation of predicted target genes in tomato. We generated B. cinerea mutants in which a transposon region was deleted that is the source of c.10% of the fungal sRNAs. Furthermore, mutants were generated in which both Dicer-like genes (Bcdcl1 and Bcdcl2) were deleted and these displayed a >99% reduction of transposon-derived sRNA production. Neither of these mutants was significantly reduced in virulence on any plant species tested. Our results reveal no evidence for any detectable role of B. cinerea sRNAs in the virulence of the fungus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si Qin
- Laboratory of PhytopathologyWageningen UniversityWageningenNetherlands
| | - Javier Veloso
- Laboratory of PhytopathologyWageningen UniversityWageningenNetherlands
- FISAPLANTUniversity of A CoruñaA CoruñaSpain
| | - Mirna Baak
- Bioinformatics GroupWageningen UniversityWageningenNetherlands
| | - Britt Boogmans
- Laboratory of PhytopathologyWageningen UniversityWageningenNetherlands
| | - Tim Bosman
- Laboratory of PhytopathologyWageningen UniversityWageningenNetherlands
| | - Guido Puccetti
- Laboratory of PhytopathologyWageningen UniversityWageningenNetherlands
| | | | - Sandra Smit
- Bioinformatics GroupWageningen UniversityWageningenNetherlands
| | | | - Thomas Leisen
- Department of BiologyUniversity of KaiserslauternKaiserslauternGermany
| | - Matthias Hahn
- Department of BiologyUniversity of KaiserslauternKaiserslauternGermany
| | - Jan A. L. van Kan
- Laboratory of PhytopathologyWageningen UniversityWageningenNetherlands
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22
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Simon I, Persky Z, Avital A, Harat H, Schroeder A, Shoseyov O. Foliar Application of dsRNA Targeting Endogenous Potato ( Solanum tuberosum) Isoamylase Genes ISA1, ISA2, and ISA3 Confers Transgenic Phenotype. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 24:ijms24010190. [PMID: 36613634 PMCID: PMC9820567 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Isoamylase (ISA) is a debranching enzyme found in many plants, which hydrolyzes (1-6)-α-D glucosidic linkages in starch, amylopectin, and β-dextrins, and is thought to be responsible for starch granule formation (ISA1 and ISA2) and degradation (ISA3). Lipid-modified PEI (lmPEI) was synthesized as a carrier for long double-stranded RNA (dsRNA, 250-bp), which targets the three isoamylase isoforms. The particles were applied to the plant via the foliar spray and were differentially effective in suppressing the expressions of ISA1 and ISA2 in the potato leaves, and ISA3 in the tubers. Plant growth was not significantly impaired, and starch levels in the tubers were not affected as well. Interestingly, the treated plants had significantly smaller starch granule sizes as well as increased sucrose content, which led to an early sprouting phenotype. We confirm the proposal of previous research that an increased number of small starch granules could be responsible for an accelerated turnover of glucan chains and, thus, the rapid synthesis of sucrose, and we propose a new relationship between ISA3 and the starch granule size. The implications of this study are in achieving a transgenic phenotype for endogenous plant genes using a systemic, novel delivery system, and foliar applications of dsRNA for agriculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ido Simon
- Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture Food and Environment, Hebrew University, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Zohar Persky
- Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture Food and Environment, Hebrew University, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Aviram Avital
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Technion—Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel
| | - Hila Harat
- Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture Food and Environment, Hebrew University, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Avi Schroeder
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Technion—Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel
| | - Oded Shoseyov
- Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture Food and Environment, Hebrew University, Rehovot 76100, Israel
- Correspondence:
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23
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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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24
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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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25
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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: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [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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26
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Bocos-Asenjo IT, Niño-Sánchez J, Ginésy M, Diez JJ. New Insights on the Integrated Management of Plant Diseases by RNA Strategies: Mycoviruses and RNA Interference. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:9236. [PMID: 36012499 PMCID: PMC9409477 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23169236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA-based strategies for plant disease management offer an attractive alternative to agrochemicals that negatively impact human and ecosystem health and lead to pathogen resistance. There has been recent interest in using mycoviruses for fungal disease control after it was discovered that some cause hypovirulence in fungal pathogens, which refers to a decline in the ability of a pathogen to cause disease. Cryphonectria parasitica, the causal agent of chestnut blight, has set an ideal model of management through the release of hypovirulent strains. However, mycovirus-based management of plant diseases is still restricted by limited approaches to search for viruses causing hypovirulence and the lack of protocols allowing effective and systemic virus infection in pathogens. RNA interference (RNAi), the eukaryotic cell system that recognizes RNA sequences and specifically degrades them, represents a promising. RNA-based disease management method. The natural occurrence of cross-kingdom RNAi provides a basis for host-induced gene silencing, while the ability of most pathogens to uptake exogenous small RNAs enables the use of spray-induced gene silencing techniques. This review describes the mechanisms behind and the potential of two RNA-based strategies, mycoviruses and RNAi, for plant disease management. Successful applications are discussed, as well as the research gaps and limitations that remain to be addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Teresa Bocos-Asenjo
- Department of Plant Production and Forest Resources, University of Valladolid, 34004 Palencia, Spain
- iuFOR-Sustainable Forest Management Research Institute, University of Valladolid-INIA, 34004 Palencia, Spain
| | - Jonatan Niño-Sánchez
- Department of Plant Production and Forest Resources, University of Valladolid, 34004 Palencia, Spain
- iuFOR-Sustainable Forest Management Research Institute, University of Valladolid-INIA, 34004 Palencia, Spain
| | - Mireille Ginésy
- Department of Plant Production and Forest Resources, University of Valladolid, 34004 Palencia, Spain
- iuFOR-Sustainable Forest Management Research Institute, University of Valladolid-INIA, 34004 Palencia, Spain
| | - Julio Javier Diez
- Department of Plant Production and Forest Resources, University of Valladolid, 34004 Palencia, Spain
- iuFOR-Sustainable Forest Management Research Institute, University of Valladolid-INIA, 34004 Palencia, Spain
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27
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de Oliveira Filho JG, da Cruz Silva G, Gomes M, de Sousa TL, Ferreira MD, Egea MB. External application of RNA interference (RNAi): An innovative tool for controlling fungi during food storage. Curr Opin Food Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cofs.2022.100872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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28
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Innovative Approaches for Crop Improvement and Sustainable Management of Plant Disease in the Post-Genomic Era. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23063273. [PMID: 35328694 PMCID: PMC8949510 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23063273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
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29
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Nerva L, Guaschino M, Pagliarani C, De Rosso M, Lovisolo C, Chitarra W. Spray-induced gene silencing targeting a glutathione S-transferase gene improves resilience to drought in grapevine. PLANT, CELL & ENVIRONMENT 2022; 45:347-361. [PMID: 34799858 DOI: 10.1111/pce.14228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Along with the ongoing climate change, drought events are predicted to become more severe. In this context, the spray-induced gene silencing (SIGS) technique could represent a useful strategy to improve crop stress resilience. A previous study demonstrated that the Arabidopsis mutants for a glutathione S-transferase (GST) gene had increased abscisic acid (ABA) levels and a more activated antioxidant system, both features that improved drought resilience. Here, we used SIGS to target a putative grape GST gene (VvGST40). Then, ecophysiological, biochemical and molecular responses of 'Chardonnay' cuttings were analysed during a drought and recovery time-course. Gas exchange, ABA and t-resveratrol concentration as well as expression of stress-related genes were monitored in not treated controls, dsRNA-VvGST40- and dsRNA-GFP- (negative control of the technique) treated plants, either submitted or not to drought. VvGST40-treated plants revealed increased resilience to severe drought as attested by the ecophysiological data. Analysis of target metabolites and antioxidant- and ABA-related transcripts confirmed that VvGST40-treated plants were in a priming status compared with controls. SIGS targeting an endogenous gene was successfully applied in grapevine, confirming the ability of this technique to be exploited not only for plant protection issues but also for functional genomic studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Nerva
- Council for Agricultural Research and Economics-Research Centre for Viticulture and Enology (CREA-VE), Conegliano, TV, Italy
- National Research Council of Italy-Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection (IPSP-CNR), Torino, TO, Italy
| | - Micol Guaschino
- Council for Agricultural Research and Economics-Research Centre for Viticulture and Enology (CREA-VE), Conegliano, TV, Italy
- Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences (DISAFA), University of Torino, Grugliasco, TO, Italy
| | - Chiara Pagliarani
- National Research Council of Italy-Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection (IPSP-CNR), Torino, TO, Italy
| | - Mirko De Rosso
- Council for Agricultural Research and Economics-Research Centre for Viticulture and Enology (CREA-VE), Conegliano, TV, Italy
| | - Claudio Lovisolo
- Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences (DISAFA), University of Torino, Grugliasco, TO, Italy
| | - Walter Chitarra
- Council for Agricultural Research and Economics-Research Centre for Viticulture and Enology (CREA-VE), Conegliano, TV, Italy
- National Research Council of Italy-Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection (IPSP-CNR), Torino, TO, Italy
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30
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Jeseničnik T, Štajner N, Radišek S, Mishra AK, Košmelj K, Kunej U, Jakše J. Discovery of microRNA-like Small RNAs in Pathogenic Plant Fungus Verticillium nonalfalfae Using High-Throughput Sequencing and qPCR and RLM-RACE Validation. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:900. [PMID: 35055083 PMCID: PMC8778906 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23020900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Verticillium nonalfalfae (V. nonalfalfae) is one of the most problematic hop (Humulus lupulus L.) pathogens, as the highly virulent fungal pathotypes cause severe annual yield losses due to infections of entire hop fields. In recent years, the RNA interference (RNAi) mechanism has become one of the main areas of focus in plant-fungal pathogen interaction studies and has been implicated as one of the major contributors to fungal pathogenicity. MicroRNA-like RNAs (milRNAs) have been identified in several important plant pathogenic fungi; however, to date, no milRNA has been reported in the V. nonalfalfae species. In the present study, using a high-throughput sequencing approach and extensive bioinformatics analysis, a total of 156 milRNA precursors were identified in the annotated V. nonalfalfae genome, and 27 of these milRNA precursors were selected as true milRNA candidates, with appropriate microRNA hairpin secondary structures. The stem-loop RT-qPCR assay was used for milRNA validation; a total of nine V. nonalfalfae milRNAs were detected, and their expression was confirmed. The milRNA expression patterns, determined by the absolute quantification approach, imply that milRNAs play an important role in the pathogenicity of highly virulent V. nonalfalfae pathotypes. Computational analysis predicted milRNA targets in the V. nonalfalfae genome and in the host hop transcriptome, and the activity of milRNA-mediated RNAi target cleavage was subsequently confirmed for two selected endogenous fungal target gene models using the 5' RLM-RACE approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taja Jeseničnik
- Department of Agronomy, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (T.J.); (N.Š.); (K.K.); (U.K.)
| | - Nataša Štajner
- Department of Agronomy, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (T.J.); (N.Š.); (K.K.); (U.K.)
| | - Sebastjan Radišek
- Plant Protection Department, Slovenian Institute of Hop Research and Brewing, 3310 Žalec, Slovenia;
| | - Ajay Kumar Mishra
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Department of Molecular Genetics, Institute of Plant Molecular Biology, Branišovská 31, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic;
| | - Katarina Košmelj
- Department of Agronomy, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (T.J.); (N.Š.); (K.K.); (U.K.)
| | - Urban Kunej
- Department of Agronomy, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (T.J.); (N.Š.); (K.K.); (U.K.)
| | - Jernej Jakše
- Department of Agronomy, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (T.J.); (N.Š.); (K.K.); (U.K.)
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31
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Duanis‐Assaf D, Galsurker O, Davydov O, Maurer D, Feygenberg O, Sagi M, Poverenov E, Fluhr R, Alkan N. Double-stranded RNA targeting fungal ergosterol biosynthesis pathway controls Botrytis cinerea and postharvest grey mould. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2022; 20:226-237. [PMID: 34520611 PMCID: PMC8710829 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.13708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Pathogenic fungi cause major postharvest losses. During storage and ripening, fruit becomes highly susceptible to fungi that cause postharvest disease. Fungicides are effective treatments to limit disease. However, due to increased public concern for their possible side effects, there is a need to develop new strategies to control postharvest fungal pathogens. Botrytis cinerea, a common postharvest pathogen, was shown to uptake small double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) molecules from the host plant. Such dsRNA can regulate gene expression through the RNA interference system. This work aimed to develop a synthetic dsRNA simultaneously targeting three essential transcripts active in the fungal ergosterol biosynthesis pathway (dsRNA-ERG). Our results show initial uptake of dsRNA in the emergence zone of the germination tube that spreads throughout the fungus and results in down-regulation of all three targeted transcripts. Application of dsRNA-ERG decreased B. cinerea germination and growth in in vitro conditions and various fruits, leading to reduce grey-mould decay. The inhibition of growth or decay was reversed by the addition of ergosterol. While dual treatment with dsRNA-ERG and ergosterol-inhibitor fungicide reduced by 100-fold the required amount of fungicide to achieve the same protection rate. The application of dsRNA-ERG induced systemic protection as shown by decreased decay development at inoculation points distant from the treatment point in tomato and pepper fruits. Overall, this study suggests that dsRNA-ERG can effectively control B. cinerea growth and grey-mould development suggesting its efficacy as a future method for postharvest control of fungal pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle Duanis‐Assaf
- Department of Postharvest Science of Fresh ProduceAgricultural Research Organization (ARO)Volcani InstituteRishon LeZionIsrael
- Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and EnvironmentThe Hebrew University of JerusalemRehovotIsrael
| | - Ortal Galsurker
- Department of Postharvest Science of Fresh ProduceAgricultural Research Organization (ARO)Volcani InstituteRishon LeZionIsrael
| | - Olga Davydov
- Department of Plant and Environmental SciencesWeizmann Institute of ScienceRehovotIsrael
| | - Dalia Maurer
- Department of Postharvest Science of Fresh ProduceAgricultural Research Organization (ARO)Volcani InstituteRishon LeZionIsrael
| | - Oleg Feygenberg
- Department of Postharvest Science of Fresh ProduceAgricultural Research Organization (ARO)Volcani InstituteRishon LeZionIsrael
| | - Moshe Sagi
- French Associates Institute for Agricultural and Biotechnology of DrylandsBlaustein Institutes for Desert ResearchBen‐Gurion University of the NegevBeer ShevaIsrael
| | - Elena Poverenov
- Department of Food Science of Fresh ProduceAgricultural Research Organization (ARO)Volcani InstituteRishon LeZionIsrael
| | - Robert Fluhr
- Department of Plant and Environmental SciencesWeizmann Institute of ScienceRehovotIsrael
| | - Noam Alkan
- Department of Postharvest Science of Fresh ProduceAgricultural Research Organization (ARO)Volcani InstituteRishon LeZionIsrael
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32
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González Guzmán M, Cellini F, Fotopoulos V, Balestrini R, Arbona V. New approaches to improve crop tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses. PHYSIOLOGIA PLANTARUM 2022; 174:e13547. [PMID: 34480798 PMCID: PMC9290814 DOI: 10.1111/ppl.13547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
During the last years, a great effort has been dedicated at the development and employment of diverse approaches for achieving more stress-tolerant and climate-flexible crops and sustainable yield increases to meet the food and energy demands of the future. The ongoing climate change is in fact leading to more frequent extreme events with a negative impact on food production, such as increased temperatures, drought, and soil salinization as well as invasive arthropod pests and diseases. In this review, diverse "green strategies" (e.g., chemical priming, root-associated microorganisms), and advanced technologies (e.g., genome editing, high-throughput phenotyping) are described on the basis of the most recent research evidence. Particularly, attention has been focused on the potential use in a context of sustainable and climate-smart agriculture (the so called "next agriculture generation") to improve plant tolerance and resilience to abiotic and biotic stresses. In addition, the gap between the results obtained in controlled experiments and those from application of these technologies in real field conditions (lab to field step) is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel González Guzmán
- Departament de Ciències Agràries i del Medi NaturalUniversitat Jaume ICastelló de la PlanaSpain
- The OPTIMUS PRIME consortium, European Union Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA) Program
| | - Francesco Cellini
- The OPTIMUS PRIME consortium, European Union Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA) Program
- Agenzia Lucana di Sviluppo e di Innovazione in Agricoltura (ALSIA)MetapontoItaly
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto per la Protezione Sostenibile delle Piante (CNR, IPSP)TorinoItaly
| | - Vasileios Fotopoulos
- The OPTIMUS PRIME consortium, European Union Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA) Program
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, Biotechnology & Food ScienceCyprus University of TechnologyLemesosCyprus
| | - Raffaella Balestrini
- The OPTIMUS PRIME consortium, European Union Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA) Program
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto per la Protezione Sostenibile delle Piante (CNR, IPSP)TorinoItaly
| | - Vicent Arbona
- Departament de Ciències Agràries i del Medi NaturalUniversitat Jaume ICastelló de la PlanaSpain
- The OPTIMUS PRIME consortium, European Union Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA) Program
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33
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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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34
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Rosa S, Pesaresi P, Mizzotti C, Bulone V, Mezzetti B, Baraldi E, Masiero S. Game-changing alternatives to conventional fungicides: small RNAs and short peptides. Trends Biotechnol 2021; 40:320-337. [PMID: 34489105 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2021.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Revised: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Fungicide use is one of the core elements of intensive agriculture because it is necessary to fight pathogens that would otherwise cause large production losses. Oomycete and fungal pathogens are kept under control using several active compounds, some of which are predicted to be banned in the near future owing to serious concerns about their impact on the environment, non-targeted organisms, and human health. To avoid detrimental repercussions for food security, it is essential to develop new biomolecules that control existing and emerging pathogens but are innocuous to human health and the environment. This review presents and discusses the use of novel low-risk biological compounds based on small RNAs and short peptides that are attractive alternatives to current contentious fungicides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Rosa
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milano, I-20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Paolo Pesaresi
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milano, I-20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Chiara Mizzotti
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milano, I-20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Vincent Bulone
- School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, University of Adelaide, Waite Campus, Glen Osmond, South Australia 5064, Australia; Division of Glycoscience, Department of Chemistry, School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, AlbaNova University Centre, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Bruno Mezzetti
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, Marche Polytechnic University, I-60131, Ancona, Italy
| | - Elena Baraldi
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences (DISTAL), University of Bologna, I-40126 Bologna, Italy.
| | - Simona Masiero
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milano, I-20133, Milano, Italy.
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Giudice G, Moffa L, Varotto S, Cardone MF, Bergamini C, De Lorenzis G, Velasco R, Nerva L, Chitarra W. Novel and emerging biotechnological crop protection approaches. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2021; 19:1495-1510. [PMID: 33945200 PMCID: PMC8384607 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.13605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Revised: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Traditional breeding or genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have for a long time been the sole approaches to effectively cope with biotic and abiotic stresses and implement the quality traits of crops. However, emerging diseases as well as unpredictable climate changes affecting agriculture over the entire globe force scientists to find alternative solutions required to quickly overcome seasonal crises. In this review, we first focus on cisgenesis and genome editing as challenging biotechnological approaches for breeding crops more tolerant to biotic and abiotic stresses. In addition, we take into consideration a toolbox of new techniques based on applications of RNA interference and epigenome modifications, which can be adopted for improving plant resilience. Recent advances in these biotechnological applications are mainly reported for non-model plants and woody crops in particular. Indeed, the characterization of RNAi machinery in plants is fundamental to transform available information into biologically or biotechnologically applicable knowledge. Finally, here we discuss how these innovative and environmentally friendly techniques combined with traditional breeding can sustain a modern agriculture and be of potential contribution to climate change mitigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaetano Giudice
- Research Centre for Viticulture and EnologyCouncil for Agricultural Research and Economics (CREA‐VE)ConeglianoTVItaly
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences ‐ Production, Landscape, Agroenergy (DiSAA)University of MilanoMilanoItaly
| | - Loredana Moffa
- Research Centre for Viticulture and EnologyCouncil for Agricultural Research and Economics (CREA‐VE)ConeglianoTVItaly
- Department of Agricultural, Food, Environmental and Animal Sciences (DI4A)University of UdineUdineItaly
| | - Serena Varotto
- Department of Agronomy Animals Food Natural Resources and Environment (DAFNAE)University of PadovaLegnaroPDItaly
| | - Maria Francesca Cardone
- Research Centre for Viticulture and EnologyCouncil for Agricultural Research and Economics (CREA‐VE)TuriBAItaly
| | - Carlo Bergamini
- Research Centre for Viticulture and EnologyCouncil for Agricultural Research and Economics (CREA‐VE)TuriBAItaly
| | - Gabriella De Lorenzis
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences ‐ Production, Landscape, Agroenergy (DiSAA)University of MilanoMilanoItaly
| | - Riccardo Velasco
- Research Centre for Viticulture and EnologyCouncil for Agricultural Research and Economics (CREA‐VE)ConeglianoTVItaly
| | - Luca Nerva
- Research Centre for Viticulture and EnologyCouncil for Agricultural Research and Economics (CREA‐VE)ConeglianoTVItaly
- Institute for Sustainable Plant ProtectionNational Research Council (IPSP‐CNR)TorinoItaly
| | - Walter Chitarra
- Research Centre for Viticulture and EnologyCouncil for Agricultural Research and Economics (CREA‐VE)ConeglianoTVItaly
- Institute for Sustainable Plant ProtectionNational Research Council (IPSP‐CNR)TorinoItaly
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Zivanovic M, Chen ZY. In Vitro Screening of Various Bacterially Produced Double-Stranded RNAs for Silencing Cercospora cf. flagellaris Target Genes and Suppressing Cercosporin Production. PHYTOPATHOLOGY 2021; 111:1228-1237. [PMID: 33289403 DOI: 10.1094/phyto-09-20-0409-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: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Cercospora leaf blight (CLB), primarily caused by Cercospora cf. flagellaris, is one of the most important diseases of soybean (Glycine max) in Louisiana. The pathogen produces cercosporin, a nonspecific toxin and an important virulence factor. There are no commercial cultivars with CLB resistance, and the pathogen has developed substantial resistance to the frequently used fungicides. Consequently, alternative methods are needed to manage CLB. One possibility is the RNA interference-based topical application of double-stranded (ds)RNA. The present study addressed the two most critical steps for this novel approach to be practical: inexpensively producing large quantities of dsRNA and identifying the right target genes for silencing. A screening method was developed to compare the effectiveness of Escherichia coli-produced dsRNAs targeting five fungal genes involved in cercosporin production for silencing in liquid culture. As much as 151.6 mg of dsRNA-containing total nucleic acids (TNAs) was produced from 1 liter of E. coli Luria broth culture using the L4440 vector. All tested dsRNAs reduced cercosporin production. However, significant target gene suppression was only detected in the cultures treated with dsRNAs from Avr4 and CTB8. The most potent dsRNA was from Avr4, which reduced 50% of cercosporin production at an estimated TNA concentration of 10.4 µg/ml (half maximal effective concentration [EC50]), and the least potent dsRNA was from HN-2, with an estimated EC50 of 46.7 µg/ml TNA. The present study paves the road for managing CLB under field conditions using dsRNA. Additionally, this approach could be adapted to identify the best dsRNAs to manage other fungal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marija Zivanovic
- Department of Plant Pathology and Crop Physiology, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70803
| | - Zhi-Yuan Chen
- Department of Plant Pathology and Crop Physiology, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70803
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Islam MT, Davis Z, Chen L, Englaender J, Zomorodi S, Frank J, Bartlett K, Somers E, Carballo SM, Kester M, Shakeel A, Pourtaheri P, Sherif SM. Minicell-based fungal RNAi delivery for sustainable crop protection. Microb Biotechnol 2021; 14:1847-1856. [PMID: 33624940 PMCID: PMC8313293 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.13699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Revised: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Spray-induced gene silencing (SIGS) using topical dsRNA applications has risen as a promising, target-specific, and environmentally friendly disease management strategy against phytopathogenic fungi. However, dsRNA stability, efficacy, and scalability are still the main constraints facing SIGS broader application. Here we show that Escherichia coli-derived anucleated minicells can be utilized as a cost-effective, scalable platform for dsRNA production and encapsulation. We demonstrated that minicell-encapsulated dsRNA (ME-dsRNA) was shielded from RNase degradation and stabilized on strawberry surfaces, allowing dsRNA persistence in field-like conditions. ME-dsRNAs targeting chitin synthase class III (Chs3a, Chs3b) and DICER-like proteins (DCL1 and DCL2) genes of Botryotinia fuckeliana selectively knocked-down the target genes and led to significant fungal growth inhibition in vitro. We also observed a compensatory relationship between DCL1 and DCL2 gene transcripts, where the silencing of one gene upregulated the expression of the other. Contrary to naked-dsRNAs, ME-dsRNAs halted disease progression in strawberries for 12 days under greenhouse conditions. These results elucidate the potential of ME-dsRNAs to enable the commercial application of RNAi-based, species-specific biocontrols comparable in efficacy to conventional synthetics. ME-dsRNAs offer a platform that can readily be translated to large-scale production and deployed in open-field applications to control grey mould in strawberries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Tabibul Islam
- Alson H. Smith Jr. Agricultural Research and Extension CenterSchool of Plant and Environmental SciencesVirginia TechWinchesterVA22602USA
| | - Zachery Davis
- AgroSpheres, INC.1180 Seminole Trail, STE 100CharlottesvilleVA22901USA
| | - Lisa Chen
- AgroSpheres, INC.1180 Seminole Trail, STE 100CharlottesvilleVA22901USA
| | - Jacob Englaender
- AgroSpheres, INC.1180 Seminole Trail, STE 100CharlottesvilleVA22901USA
| | - Sepehr Zomorodi
- AgroSpheres, INC.1180 Seminole Trail, STE 100CharlottesvilleVA22901USA
| | - Joseph Frank
- AgroSpheres, INC.1180 Seminole Trail, STE 100CharlottesvilleVA22901USA
| | - Kira Bartlett
- AgroSpheres, INC.1180 Seminole Trail, STE 100CharlottesvilleVA22901USA
| | - Elisabeth Somers
- AgroSpheres, INC.1180 Seminole Trail, STE 100CharlottesvilleVA22901USA
| | | | - Mark Kester
- AgroSpheres, INC.1180 Seminole Trail, STE 100CharlottesvilleVA22901USA
- Department of PharmacologyUniversity of VirginiaCharlottesvilleVA22908USA
| | - Ameer Shakeel
- AgroSpheres, INC.1180 Seminole Trail, STE 100CharlottesvilleVA22901USA
| | - Payam Pourtaheri
- AgroSpheres, INC.1180 Seminole Trail, STE 100CharlottesvilleVA22901USA
| | - Sherif M. Sherif
- Alson H. Smith Jr. Agricultural Research and Extension CenterSchool of Plant and Environmental SciencesVirginia TechWinchesterVA22602USA
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Marcianò D, Ricciardi V, Marone Fassolo E, Passera A, Bianco PA, Failla O, Casati P, Maddalena G, De Lorenzis G, Toffolatti SL. RNAi of a Putative Grapevine Susceptibility Gene as a Possible Downy Mildew Control Strategy. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:667319. [PMID: 34127927 PMCID: PMC8196239 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.667319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Downy mildew, caused by the oomycete Plasmopara viticola, is one of the diseases causing the most severe economic losses to grapevine (Vitis vinifera) production. To date, the application of fungicides is the most efficient method to control the pathogen and the implementation of novel and sustainable disease control methods is a major challenge. RNA interference (RNAi) represents a novel biotechnological tool with a great potential for controlling fungal pathogens. Recently, a candidate susceptibility gene (VviLBDIf7) to downy mildew has been identified in V. vinifera. In this work, the efficacy of RNAi triggered by exogenous double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) in controlling P. viticola infections has been assessed in a highly susceptible grapevine cultivar (Pinot noir) by knocking down VviLBDIf7 gene. The effects of dsRNA treatment on this target gene were assessed by evaluating gene expression, disease severity, and development of vegetative and reproductive structures of P. viticola in the leaf tissues. Furthermore, the effects of dsRNA treatment on off-target (EF1α, GAPDH, PEPC, and PEPCK) and jasmonic acid metabolism (COI1) genes have been evaluated. Exogenous application of dsRNA led to significant reductions both in VviLBDIf7 gene expression, 5 days after the treatment, and in the disease severity when artificial inoculation was carried out 7 days after dsRNA treatments. The pathogen showed clear alterations to both vegetative (hyphae and haustoria) and reproductive structures (sporangiophores) that resulted in stunted growth and reduced sporulation. Treatment with dsRNA showed signatures of systemic activity and no deleterious off-target effects. These results demonstrated the potential of RNAi for silencing susceptibility factors in grapevine as a sustainable strategy for pathogen control, underlying the possibility to adopt this promising biotechnological tool in disease management strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Gabriella De Lorenzis
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie ed Ambientali, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Silvia Laura Toffolatti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie ed Ambientali, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
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Spada M, Pugliesi C, Fambrini M, Pecchia S. Silencing of the Slt2-Type MAP Kinase Bmp3 in Botrytis cinerea by Application of Exogenous dsRNA Affects Fungal Growth and Virulence on Lactuca sativa. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:5362. [PMID: 34069750 PMCID: PMC8161090 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22105362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Botrytis cinerea can attack over 500 genera of vascular plants and is considered the second phytopathogen in the 'top ten' for its economic importance. Traditional fungicides can be ineffective and with increasing fungicide resistance, new sustainable technologies are required. Lately, RNA interference-based fungicides are emerging for their potential uses in crop protection. Therefore, we assessed the potential of this innovative approach targeting the MAP kinase Bmp3 in B. cinerea, a gene involved in saprophytic growth, response to low osmolarity, conidiation, surface sensing, host penetration and lesion formation. After performing a prediction analysis of small interfering RNAs, a 427 nucleotides long dsRNA was selected as construct. We tested the effect of topical applications of dsRNA construct both in vitro by a fungal growth assay in microtiter plates and in vivo on detached lettuce leaves artificially inoculated. In both cases, topical applications of dsRNA led to gene knockdown with a delay in conidial germination, an evident growth retardation and a strong reduction of necrotic lesions on leaves. These results correlated with a strongly reduced expression of Bmp3 gene. In accordance to these findings, the Bmp3 gene could be a promising target for the development of an RNAi-based fungicide against B. cinerea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Spada
- Department of Agriculture Food and Environment, University of Pisa, Via del Borghetto 80, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (C.P.); (M.F.)
| | - Claudio Pugliesi
- Department of Agriculture Food and Environment, University of Pisa, Via del Borghetto 80, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (C.P.); (M.F.)
| | - Marco Fambrini
- Department of Agriculture Food and Environment, University of Pisa, Via del Borghetto 80, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (C.P.); (M.F.)
| | - Susanna Pecchia
- Department of Agriculture Food and Environment, University of Pisa, Via del Borghetto 80, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (C.P.); (M.F.)
- Interdepartmental Research Center Nutrafood “Nutraceuticals and Food for Health”, University of Pisa, Via del Borghetto 80, 56124 Pisa, Italy
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40
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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: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [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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41
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Haile ZM, Gebremichael DE, Capriotti L, Molesini B, Negrini F, Collina M, Sabbadini S, Mezzetti B, Baraldi E. Double-Stranded RNA Targeting Dicer-Like Genes Compromises the Pathogenicity of Plasmopara viticola on Grapevine. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:667539. [PMID: 34084177 PMCID: PMC8167485 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.667539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Downy mildew caused by Plasmopara viticola is one of the most devastating diseases of grapevine, attacking all green parts of the plant. The damage is severe when the infection at flowering stage is left uncontrolled. P. viticola management consumes a significant amount of classical pesticides applied in vineyards, requiring efficient and environmentally safe disease management options. Spray-induced gene silencing (SIGS), through the application of exogenous double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), has shown promising results for the management of diseases in crops. Here, we developed and tested the potential of dsRNA targeting P. viticola Dicer-like (DCL) genes for SIGS-based crop protection strategy. The exogenous application of PvDCL1/2 dsRNA, a chimera of PvDCL1 and PvDCL2, highly affected the virulence of P. viticola. The reduced expression level of PvDCL1 and PvDCL2 transcripts in infected leaves, treated with PvDCL1/2 dsRNA, was an indication of an active RNA interference mechanism inside the pathogen to compromise its virulence. Besides the protective property, the PvDCL1/2 dsRNA also exhibited a curative role by reducing the disease progress rate of already established infection. Our data provide a promising future for PvDCL1/2 dsRNA as a new generation of RNA-based resistant plants or RNA-based agrochemical for the management of downy mildew disease in grapevine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeraye Mehari Haile
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences (DISTAL), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | | | - Luca Capriotti
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Barbara Molesini
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Francesca Negrini
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences (DISTAL), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Marina Collina
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences (DISTAL), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Silvia Sabbadini
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Bruno Mezzetti
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
- Research Group on Food, Nutritional Biochemistry and Health, Universidad Europea del Atlántico, Santander, Spain
| | - Elena Baraldi
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences (DISTAL), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- *Correspondence: Elena Baraldi,
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Saito H, Yamashita Y, Sakata N, Ishiga T, Shiraishi N, Usuki G, Nguyen VT, Yamamura E, Ishiga Y. Covering Soybean Leaves With Cellulose Nanofiber Changes Leaf Surface Hydrophobicity and Confers Resistance Against Phakopsora pachyrhizi. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:726565. [PMID: 34539719 PMCID: PMC8448067 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.726565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Asian soybean rust (ASR) caused by Phakopsora pachyrhizi, an obligate biotrophic fungal pathogen, is the most devastating soybean production disease worldwide. Currently, timely fungicide application is the only means to control ASR in the field. We investigated cellulose nanofiber (CNF) application on ASR disease management. CNF-treated leaves showed reduced lesion number after P. pachyrhizi inoculation compared to control leaves, indicating that covering soybean leaves with CNF confers P. pachyrhizi resistance. We also demonstrated that formation of P. pachyrhizi appressoria, and also gene expression related to these formations, such as chitin synthases (CHSs), were significantly suppressed in CNF-treated soybean leaves compared to control leaves. Moreover, contact angle measurement revealed that CNF converts soybean leaf surface properties from hydrophobic to hydrophilic. These results suggest that CNF can change soybean leaf surface hydrophobicity, conferring resistance against P. pachyrhizi, based on the reduced expression of CHSs, as well as reduced formation of pre-infection structures. This is the first study to investigate CNF application to control field disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haruka Saito
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Yuji Yamashita
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Nanami Sakata
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Takako Ishiga
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Nanami Shiraishi
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Giyu Usuki
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Viet Tru Nguyen
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
- Western Highlands Agriculture and Forestry Science Institute, Buon Ma Thuot, Vietnam
| | - Eiji Yamamura
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Ishiga
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
- *Correspondence: Yasuhiro Ishiga,
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Biotechnological Approaches: Gene Overexpression, Gene Silencing, and Genome Editing to Control Fungal and Oomycete Diseases in Grapevine. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21165701. [PMID: 32784854 PMCID: PMC7460970 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21165701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Revised: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Downy mildew, powdery mildew, and grey mold are some of the phytopathological diseases causing economic losses in agricultural crops, including grapevine, worldwide. In the current scenario of increasing global warming, in which the massive use of agrochemicals should be limited, the management of fungal disease has become a challenge. The knowledge acquired on candidate resistant (R) genes having an active role in plant defense mechanisms has allowed numerous breeding programs to integrate these traits into selected cultivars, even though with some limits in the conservation of the proper qualitative characteristics of the original clones. Given their gene-specific mode of action, biotechnological techniques come to the aid of breeders, allowing them to generate simple and fast modifications in the host, without introducing other undesired genes. The availability of efficient gene transfer procedures in grapevine genotypes provide valid tools that support the application of new breeding techniques (NBTs). The expertise built up over the years has allowed the optimization of these techniques to overexpress genes that directly or indirectly limit fungal and oomycetes pathogens growth or silence plant susceptibility genes. Furthermore, the downregulation of pathogen genes which act as virulence effectors by exploiting the RNA interference mechanism, represents another biotechnological tool that increases plant defense. In this review, we summarize the most recent biotechnological strategies optimized and applied on Vitis species, aimed at reducing their susceptibility to the most harmful fungal and oomycetes diseases. The best strategy for combating pathogenic organisms is to exploit a holistic approach that fully integrates all these available tools.
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44
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Dalakouras A, Papadopoulou KK. Epigenetic Modifications: An Unexplored Facet of Exogenous RNA Application in Plants. PLANTS 2020; 9:plants9060673. [PMID: 32466487 PMCID: PMC7356522 DOI: 10.3390/plants9060673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Revised: 05/22/2020] [Accepted: 05/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Exogenous RNA interference (exo-RNAi) is a powerful transgene-free tool in modern crop improvement and protection platforms. In exo-RNAi approaches, double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) or short-interfering RNAs (siRNAs) are externally applied in plants in order to selectively trigger degradation of target mRNAs. Yet, the applied dsRNAs may also trigger unintended epigenetic alterations and result in epigenetically modified plants, an issue that has not been sufficiently addressed and which merits more careful consideration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Athanasios Dalakouras
- Department of Biochemistry & Biotechnology, University of Thessaly, 41500 Larissa, Greece;
- Institute of Plant Breeding and Genetic Resources ELGO-DEMETER, 57001 Thessaloniki, Greece
- Correspondence:
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