sRNAs & circRNAs in Plant-Microbe Interaction
Sabrine Nasfi
Background: Food and crop production is severely threatened by various bacterial and fungal pathogens that cause widespread diseases and economic losses. Some bacterial pathogens rapidly spread through environmental vectors, invading host tissues and leading to necrosis and plant death. Fungal pathogens, on the other hand, disseminate through spores in soil and water, enabling long-term infections of annual (e.g. cereals) or perennial plants (e.g. trees). Existing control measures, including cultural practices and chemical treatments, often fail to provide sustainable protection due to the persistence and resistance of pathogens. Thus, innovative solutions are urgently needed to combat these threats in plant production..
Project: RNA interference (RNAi) regulates gene expression in eukaryotes through small RNAs (sRNAs). While bacteria lack an RNAi system, sRNAs influence their gene regulation. Fungi, in contrast, commonly use RNAi to control virulence and evade host immune responses. Circular RNAs (circRNAs), known for their higher stability, have a great potential to control pathogens by regulating pathogenicity-related gene expression.
We explore the potential of sRNAs and circRNAs to mitigate the fitness and pathogenicity of plant pathogens. Although bacteria and fungi utilize distinct RNA-based regulatory mechanisms, targeting critical genes with sRNAs and circRNAs may offer a novel strategy for disease control. By delivering these RNA molecules to act as decoys or regulators, we aim to disrupt pathogen-host interactions, paving the way for innovative RNA-based disease management.
