What is RNA silencing in plants?

What is RNA silencing in plants?

RNA SILENCING PATHWAYS IN PLANTS. RNA silencing is an evolutionarily conserved mechanism in eukaryotes. It is induced by double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) or hairpin structured RNA (hpRNA), involving common factors including Dicer or Dicer-like (DCL) and Argonaute (AGO) family proteins [1-3].

How does RNA defend against viruses?

RNA interference (RNAi) is an important defence against viruses and transposable elements (TEs). RNAi not only protects against viruses by degrading viral RNA, but hosts and viruses can also use RNAi to manipulate each other’s gene expression, and hosts can encode microRNAs that target viral sequences.

Can RNAi be used in plants?

RNA interference (RNAi) is a key biological process in plants to inhibit gene expression both transcriptionally and post-transcriptionally, using three different groups of proteins to resist the virulence of pathogens.

What mechanism do plants use to resist viruses?

Plants use RNA-silencing mechanism and produce short interfering RNA (SiRNA) molecules in a defense response against viral infection. To counter this defense response, virus produces suppressor proteins that can block the host silencing pathway or interfere with its function in plant cells [6].

What is RNA silencing How is this strategy used to create pest resistant plants?

RNA interference (RNAi) is a gene silencing mechanism triggered by providing double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), that when ingested into insects can lead to death or affect the viability of the target pest. Transgenic plants expressing dsRNA version of insect specific target genes are the new generation of resistant plants.

How does RNAi silence specific genes in plants?

RNAi for plant disease resistance Double stranded RNA (dsRNA) act as an igniter in RNA interference and activate the homologous mRNAs to inhibit its translation and transcription to silence the susceptible genes 12.

Why is RNA silencing important?

Plant Antiviral Defense: Gene Silencing Pathway RNA silencing has evolved as a defense against molecular parasites in plants, such as viruses. It is also useful in regulating gene expression for growth and development. These pathways overlap and operate through the production of small RNAs.

How is RNAi used in agriculture?

RNAi has provided a way to control pests and diseases, introduce novel plant traits and increase crop yield. Using RNAi, scientists have developed novel crops such as nicotine-free tobacco, non-allergenic peanuts, decaffeinated coffee, and nutrient fortified maize among many others.

How do plants defend themselves against diseases?

The outer layer of a plant—analogous to our skin and also called the epidermis—is the first defense to keeping pathogens out. The epidermis itself is shielded by additional layers on certain plant parts: bark on a tree, a waxy cuticle on leaves. Plants also produce chemicals that are toxic to pathogens or to insects.

What is the purpose of viral infection to other plant cells?

Most plant viruses are transmitted by insect vectors that cause damage to the plant and create an entry point for pathogens, or that tap into the phloem to feed. Once inside, viruses use the handful of genes in their tiny genomes to orchestrate the plant cells’ machinery, while evading the plant’s defenses.

What is RNA silencing How is this strategy used?

a double stranded Rna is introduced in tobacco plant. this silences the mRNA of nematode which produce protein helps in the growth of nematode. after silencing no growth protein can b formed. nd hence nematode cant grow nd plant can grow pest resistant.

What is RNAi explain with example?

RNA interference (RNAi) or Post-Transcriptional Gene Silencing (PTGS) is a conserved biological response to double-stranded RNA that mediates resistance to both endogenous parasitic and exogenous pathogenic nucleic acids, and regulates the expression of protein-coding genes.

What is an example of gene silencing?

Solution : Gene silencing is a mechanism by which cells shut down large sections of chromosomal DNA. Gene silencing is done by incorporating the DNA to be silenced into a form of DNA called heterochromatin that is already silent….

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Is gene silencing and RNA interference same?

Double-stranded RNA-mediated interference (RNAi) is a simple and rapid method of silencing gene expression in a range of organisms. The silencing of a gene is a consequence of degradation of RNA into short RNAs that activate ribonucleases to target homologous mRNA.

How has RNAi been used to protect crop plants from insect and viral pathogens?

Topically applied double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) can be used to generate resistance to pathogenic viruses and fungi, and pests such as insects. Off-target impacts to be avoided include silencing of crucial host plant and other non-target organism genes.

What are 2 chemical Defences of plants?

Plant defences

  • Many plants are covered with a thick bark.
  • Each plant cell has a cellulose cell wall which acts as another barrier against infection.
  • Leaves are covered with a thick waxy cuticle which also stops their cells from becoming infected by bacteria and fungi.

How does viral infection take place in plants?

Some viruses can infect plants when aphids and other insects tap into the phloem to feed. Such insect vectors can also pick up virus particles and carry them to new plant hosts. Other viruses infect plant cells through a wound site created by a leaf-munching insect such as a beetle.

What are the viral and host determinants of virus infection on plants?

Plant virus genome replication and movement is dependent on host resources and factors. However, plants respond to virus infection through several mechanisms, such as autophagy, ubiquitination, mRNA decay and gene silencing, that target viral components.

  • October 24, 2022