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van Heerden A, Pham NQ, Wingfield BD, Wingfield MJ, Wilken PM. Six type-I PKS classes and highly conserved melanin and elsinochrome gene clusters found in diverse Elsinoë species. BMC Genomics 2024; 25:990. [PMID: 39438784 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-024-10920-z] [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: 07/23/2024] [Accepted: 10/18/2024] [Indexed: 10/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Elsinoë species are phytopathogenic fungi that cause serious scab diseases on economically important plants. The disease symptoms arise from the effects of a group of phytotoxins known as elsinochromes, produced via a type-I polyketide synthase (PKS) biosynthetic pathway. The elsinochrome gene cluster was first annotated in Elsinoë fawcettii where the main type-I PKS gene was characterized as EfPKS1. A later study showed that this gene and the associated cluster had not been correctly annotated, and that EfPKS1 was actually the anchor gene of the melanin biosynthetic pathway. A new type-I PKS gene EfETB1 associated with elsinochrome production was also identified. The aim of this study was to identify all type-I PKS genes in the genomes of seven Elsinoë species with the goal of independently verifying the PKS containing clusters for both melanin and elsinochrome production. A total of six type-I PKS classes were identified, although there was variation between the species in the number and type of classes present. Genes similar to the E. fawcettii EfPKS1 and EfETB1 type-I PKS genes were associated with melanin and elsinochrome production respectively in all species. The complete melanin and elsinochrome PKS containing clusters were subsequently annotated in all the species with high levels of synteny across Elsinoë species. This study provides a genus-level overview of type-I PKS distribution in Elsinoë species, including an additional line of support for the annotation of the melanin and elsinochrome PKS containing clusters in these important plant pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alishia van Heerden
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Nam Q Pham
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Brenda D Wingfield
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Michael J Wingfield
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - P Markus Wilken
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.
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Liu C, Kogel K, Ladera‐Carmona M. Harnessing RNA interference for the control of Fusarium species: A critical review. MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY 2024; 25:e70011. [PMID: 39363756 PMCID: PMC11450251 DOI: 10.1111/mpp.70011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2024] [Revised: 08/13/2024] [Accepted: 09/10/2024] [Indexed: 10/05/2024]
Abstract
Fusarium fungi are a pervasive threat to global agricultural productivity. They cause a spectrum of plant diseases that result in significant yield losses and threaten food safety by producing mycotoxins that are harmful to human and animal health. In recent years, the exploitation of the RNA interference (RNAi) mechanism has emerged as a promising avenue for the control of Fusarium-induced diseases, providing both a mechanistic understanding of Fusarium gene function and a potential strategy for environmentally sustainable disease management. However, despite significant progress in elucidating the presence and function of the RNAi pathway in different Fusarium species, a comprehensive understanding of its individual protein components and underlying silencing mechanisms remains elusive. Accordingly, while a considerable number of RNAi-based approaches to Fusarium control have been developed and many reports of RNAi applications in Fusarium control under laboratory conditions have been published, the applicability of this knowledge in agronomic settings remains an open question, and few convincing data on RNAi-based disease control under field conditions have been published. This review aims to consolidate the current knowledge on the role of RNAi in Fusarium disease control by evaluating current research and highlighting important avenues for future investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caihong Liu
- Institute of Phytopathology, Research Centre for BioSystems, Land Use and NutritionJustus Liebig University GiessenGiessenGermany
| | - Karl‐Heinz Kogel
- Institute of Phytopathology, Research Centre for BioSystems, Land Use and NutritionJustus Liebig University GiessenGiessenGermany
- Institut de Biologie Moléculaire des Plantes, CNRSUniversité de StrasbourgStrasbourgFrance
| | - Maria Ladera‐Carmona
- Institute of Phytopathology, Research Centre for BioSystems, Land Use and NutritionJustus Liebig University GiessenGiessenGermany
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Dang C, Xiao S, Wang F, Fang Q, Yao H, He K, Li F, Xue D, Ye G. miRNA-mediated insect-resistant transgenic rice poses no risk to a non-target parasitoid, Cotesia chilonis, via direct feeding or through its target host. INSECT SCIENCE 2024. [PMID: 39039789 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.13415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2024] [Revised: 06/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024]
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have started to play an important role in pest control, and novel miRNA-based transgenic insect-resistant plants are now emerging. However, an environmental risk assessment of these novel transgenic plants expressing insect miRNAs must be undertaken before promoting their application. Here, transgenic miR-14 rice, which has high resistance to the rice stem borer Chilo suppressalis, was used as an example for evaluation in this study. Taking the tier 1 risk assessment method in Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) crops as a reference, the effects of the direct exposure of a non-target parasitoid, Cotesia chilonis, to a high concentration of miRNA were evaluated. The results showed that direct feeding with miR-14 at high concentration had no significant effects on the biological parameters of Co. chilonis, whereas when miR-14 was injected into Ch. suppressalis-parasitized larvae, the development duration of Co. chilonis was significantly affected. In combination with the real conditions of the rice paddy field, it could be inferred that transgenic miR-14 rice has no significant negative effects on the important non-target parasitoid, Co. chilonis. These results will provide a foundation for the establishment of a new safety evaluation system for novel RNAi-based transgenic plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cong Dang
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
- National Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shan Xiao
- National Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Ningbo Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Fang Wang
- National Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qi Fang
- National Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hongwei Yao
- National Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Kang He
- National Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Fei Li
- National Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Dawei Xue
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Gongyin Ye
- National Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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Berindean IV, Taoutaou A, Rida S, Ona AD, Stefan MF, Costin A, Racz I, Muntean L. Modern Breeding Strategies and Tools for Durable Late Blight Resistance in Potato. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 13:1711. [PMID: 38931143 PMCID: PMC11207681 DOI: 10.3390/plants13121711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2024] [Revised: 06/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Cultivated potato (Solanum tuberosum) is a major crop worldwide. It occupies the second place after cereals (corn, rice, and wheat). This important crop is threatened by the Oomycete Phytophthora infestans, the agent of late blight disease. This pathogen was first encountered during the Irish famine during the 1840s and is a reemerging threat to potatoes. It is mainly controlled chemically by using fungicides, but due to health and environmental concerns, the best alternative is resistance. When there is no disease, no treatment is required. In this study, we present a summary of the ongoing efforts concerning resistance breeding of potato against this devastating pathogen, P. infestans. This work begins with the search for and selection of resistance genes, whether they are from within or from outside the species. The genetic methods developed to date for gene mining, such as effectoromics and GWAS, provide researchers with the ability to identify genes of interest more efficiently. Once identified, these genes are cloned using molecular markers (MAS or QRL) and can then be introduced into different cultivars using somatic hybridization or recombinant DNA technology. More innovative technologies have been developed lately, such as gene editing using the CRISPR system or gene silencing, by exploiting iRNA strategies that have emerged as promising tools for managing Phytophthora infestans, which can be employed. Also, gene pyramiding or gene stacking, which involves the accumulation of two or more R genes on the same individual plant, is an innovative method that has yielded many promising results. All these advances related to the development of molecular techniques for obtaining new potato cultivars resistant to P. infestans can contribute not only to reducing losses in agriculture but especially to ensuring food security and safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioana Virginia Berindean
- Department of Crops Sciences: Genetics, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Calea Manastur 3-5, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (I.V.B.)
| | - Abdelmoumen Taoutaou
- Laboratoire de Phytopathologie et Biologie Moléculaire, Département de Botanique, École Nationale, Supérieure Agronomique, Avenue Pasteur (ENSA-ES 1603), Hassan Badi, El-Harrach, Algiers 16200, Algeria
| | - Soumeya Rida
- Département d’Agronomie, Faculté des Sciences de la Nature et de la Vie (SNV), Université Chadli Bendjedid, BP N°73, El Tarf 36000, Algeria
| | - Andreea Daniela Ona
- Department of Crops Sciences: Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Calea Manastur 3-5, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (A.D.O.)
| | - Maria Floriana Stefan
- National Institute of Research and Development for Potato and Sugar Beet Braşov, Fundaturii Street 2, 500470 Braşov, Romania
| | - Alexandru Costin
- Department of Crops Sciences: Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Calea Manastur 3-5, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (A.D.O.)
| | - Ionut Racz
- Department of Crops Sciences: Genetics, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Calea Manastur 3-5, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (I.V.B.)
| | - Leon Muntean
- Department of Crops Sciences: Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Calea Manastur 3-5, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (A.D.O.)
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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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de Oliveira Cabral SK, de Freitas MB, Stadnik MJ, Kulcheski FR. Emerging roles of plant microRNAs during Colletotrichum spp. infection. PLANTA 2024; 259:48. [PMID: 38285194 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-023-04318-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
MAIN CONCLUSION This review provides valuable insights into plant molecular regulatory mechanisms during fungus attacks, highlighting potential miRNA candidates for future disease management. Plant defense responses to biotic stress involve intricate regulatory mechanisms, including post-transcriptional regulation of genes mediated by microRNAs (miRNAs). These small RNAs play a vital role in the plant's innate immune system, defending against viral, bacterial, and fungal attacks. Among the plant pathogenic fungi, Colletotrichum spp. are notorious for causing anthracnose, a devastating disease affecting economically important crops worldwide. Understanding the molecular machinery underlying the plant immune response to Colletotrichum spp. is crucial for developing tools to reduce production losses. In this comprehensive review, we examine the current understanding of miRNAs associated with plant defense against Colletotrichum spp. We summarize the modulation patterns of miRNAs and their respective target genes. Depending on the function of their targets, miRNAs can either contribute to host resistance or susceptibility. We explore the multifaceted roles of miRNAs during Colletotrichum infection, including their involvement in R-gene-dependent immune system responses, hormone-dependent defense mechanisms, secondary metabolic pathways, methylation regulation, and biosynthesis of other classes of small RNAs. Furthermore, we employ an integrative approach to correlate the identified miRNAs with various strategies and distinct phases of fungal infection. This study provides valuable insights into the current understanding of plant miRNAs and their regulatory mechanisms during fungus attacks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Kirchhofer de Oliveira Cabral
- Group of Plant Molecular Biology, Center of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
- Post-Graduation Program in Cell and Developmental Biology, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Mateus Brusco de Freitas
- Laboratory of Plant Pathology, Center of Agricultural Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Marciel João Stadnik
- Laboratory of Plant Pathology, Center of Agricultural Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Franceli Rodrigues Kulcheski
- Group of Plant Molecular Biology, Center of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil.
- Post-Graduation Program in Cell and Developmental Biology, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil.
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