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Dalakouras A, Koidou V, Papadopoulou K. DsRNA-based pesticides: Considerations for efficiency and risk assessment. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 352:141530. [PMID: 38401868 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.141530] [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: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024]
Abstract
In view of the ongoing climate change and the ever-growing world population, novel agricultural solutions are required to ensure sustainable food supply. Microbials, natural substances, semiochemicals and double stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) are all considered potential low risk pesticides. DsRNAs function at the molecular level, targeting specific regions of specific genes of specific organisms, provided that they share a minimal sequence complementarity of approximately 20 nucleotides. Thus, dsRNAs may offer a great alternative to conventional chemicals in environmentally friendly pest control strategies. Any low-risk pesticide needs to be efficient and exhibit low toxicological potential and low environmental persistence. Having said that, in the current review, the mode of dsRNA action is explored and the parameters that need to be taken into consideration for the development of efficient dsRNA-based pesticides are highlighted. Moreover, since dsRNAs mode of action differs from those of synthetic pesticides, custom-made risk assessment schemes may be required and thus, critical issues related to the risk assessment of dsRNA pesticides are discussed here.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Venetia Koidou
- ELGO-DIMITRA, Institute of Industrial and Forage Crops, Larissa, Greece; University of Thessaly, Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Larissa, Greece
| | - Kalliope Papadopoulou
- University of Thessaly, Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Larissa, Greece
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2
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Singh VK, Ahmed S, Saini DK, Gahlaut V, Chauhan S, Khandare K, Kumar A, Sharma PK, Kumar J. Manipulating epigenetic diversity in crop plants: Techniques, challenges and opportunities. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2024; 1868:130544. [PMID: 38104668 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2023.130544] [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: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Epigenetic modifications act as conductors of inheritable alterations in gene expression, all while keeping the DNA sequence intact, thereby playing a pivotal role in shaping plant growth and development. This review article presents an overview of techniques employed to investigate and manipulate epigenetic diversity in crop plants, focusing on both naturally occurring and artificially induced epialleles. The significance of epigenetic modifications in facilitating adaptive responses is explored through the examination of how various biotic and abiotic stresses impact them. Further, environmental chemicals are explored for their role in inducing epigenetic changes, particularly focusing on inhibitors of DNA methylation like 5-AzaC and zebularine, as well as inhibitors of histone deacetylation including trichostatin A and sodium butyrate. The review delves into various approaches for generating epialleles, including tissue culture techniques, mutagenesis, and grafting, elucidating their potential to induce heritable epigenetic modifications in plants. In addition, the ground breaking CRISPR/Cas is emphasized for its accuracy in targeting specific epigenetic changes. This presents a potent tools for deciphering the intricacies of epigenetic mechanisms. Furthermore, the intricate relationship between epigenetic modifications and non-coding RNA expression, including siRNAs and miRNAs, is investigated. The emerging role of exo-RNAi in epigenetic regulation is also introduced, unveiling its promising potential for future applications. The article concludes by addressing the opportunities and challenges presented by these techniques, emphasizing their implications for crop improvement. Conclusively, this extensive review provides valuable insights into the intricate realm of epigenetic changes, illuminating their significance in phenotypic plasticity and their potential in advancing crop improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Shoeb Ahmed
- Ch. Charan Singh University, Meerut 250004, India
| | - Dinesh Kumar Saini
- Department of Plant and Soil Science, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, United States
| | - Vijay Gahlaut
- University Centre for Research and Development, Chandigarh University, Mohali 140413, Punjab, India
| | | | - Kiran Khandare
- Center of Innovative and Applied Bioprocessing, Mohali 140308, Punjab, India
| | - Ashutosh Kumar
- Center of Innovative and Applied Bioprocessing, Mohali 140308, Punjab, India
| | - Pradeep Kumar Sharma
- Ch. Charan Singh University, Meerut 250004, India; Maharaja Suhel Dev State University, Azamgarh 276404, U.P., India
| | - Jitendra Kumar
- National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute, Sector-81, Mohali 140306, Punjab, India.
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3
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Ortolá B, Daròs JA. Viroids: Non-Coding Circular RNAs Able to Autonomously Replicate and Infect Higher Plants. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:biology12020172. [PMID: 36829451 PMCID: PMC9952643 DOI: 10.3390/biology12020172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Viroids are a unique type of infectious agent, exclusively composed of a relatively small (246-430 nt), highly base-paired, circular, non-coding RNA. Despite the small size and non-coding nature, the more-than-thirty currently known viroid species infectious of higher plants are able to autonomously replicate and move systemically through the host, thereby inducing disease in some plants. After recalling viroid discovery back in the late 60s and early 70s of last century and discussing current hypotheses about their evolutionary origin, this article reviews our current knowledge about these peculiar infectious agents. We describe the highly base-paired viroid molecules that fold in rod-like or branched structures and viroid taxonomic classification in two families, Pospiviroidae and Avsunviroidae, likely gathering nuclear and chloroplastic viroids, respectively. We review current knowledge about viroid replication through RNA-to-RNA rolling-circle mechanisms in which host factors, notably RNA transporters, RNA polymerases, RNases, and RNA ligases, are involved. Systemic movement through the infected plant, plant-to-plant transmission and host range are also discussed. Finally, we focus on the mechanisms of viroid pathogenesis, in which RNA silencing has acquired remarkable importance, and also for the initiation of potential biotechnological applications of viroid molecules.
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4
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Dalakouras A, Katsaouni A, Avramidou M, Dadami E, Tsiouri O, Vasileiadis S, Makris A, Georgopoulou ME, Papadopoulou KK. A beneficial fungal root endophyte triggers systemic RNA silencing and DNA methylation of a host reporter gene. RNA Biol 2023; 20:20-30. [PMID: 36573793 PMCID: PMC9809956 DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2022.2159158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
A growing body of evidence suggests that RNA interference (RNAi) plays a pivotal role in the communication between plants and pathogenic fungi, where a bi-directional trans-kingdom RNAi is established to the advantage of either the host or the pathogen. Similar mechanisms acting during plant association with non-pathogenic symbiotic microorganisms have been elusive to this date. To determine whether root endophytes can induce systemic RNAi responses to their host plants, we designed an experimental reporter-based system consisting of the root-restricted, beneficial fungal endophyte, Fusarium solani strain K (FsK) and its host Nicotiana benthamiana. Since not all fungi encode the RNAi machinery, we first needed to validate that FsK does so, by identifying its core RNAi enzymes (2 Dicer-like genes, 2 Argonautes and 4 RNA-dependent RNA polymerases) and by showing its susceptibility to in vitro RNAi upon exogenous application of double stranded RNAs (dsRNAs). Upon establishing this, we transformed FsK with a hairpin RNA (hpRNA) construct designed to target a reporter gene in its host N. benthamiana. The hpRNA was processed by FsK RNAi machinery predominantly into 21-24-nt small RNAs that triggered RNA silencing but not DNA methylation in the fungal hyphae. Importantly, when the hpRNA-expressing FsK was used to inoculate N. benthamiana, systemic RNA silencing and DNA methylation of the host reporter gene was recorded. Our data suggest that RNAi signals can be translocated by root endophytes to their hosts and can modulate gene expression during mutualism, which may be translated to beneficial phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Athanasios Dalakouras
- University of Thessaly, Department of Biochemistry & Biotechnology, Larissa, Greece,Hellenic Agricultural Organization Demeter, Institute of Industrial and Forage Crops, Larissa, Greece,CONTACT Athanasios Dalakouras University of Thessaly, Department of Biochemistry & Biotechnology, Larissa, Greece; Hellenic Agricultural Organization Demeter, Institute of Industrial and Forage Crops, Larissa, Greece
| | - Afrodite Katsaouni
- University of Thessaly, Department of Biochemistry & Biotechnology, Larissa, Greece
| | - Marianna Avramidou
- University of Thessaly, Department of Biochemistry & Biotechnology, Larissa, Greece
| | - Elena Dadami
- University of Thessaly, Department of Biochemistry & Biotechnology, Larissa, Greece
| | - Olga Tsiouri
- University of Thessaly, Department of Biochemistry & Biotechnology, Larissa, Greece
| | - Sotirios Vasileiadis
- University of Thessaly, Department of Biochemistry & Biotechnology, Larissa, Greece
| | - Athanasios Makris
- University of Thessaly, Department of Biochemistry & Biotechnology, Larissa, Greece
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5
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Yang P, Havecker E, Bauer M, Diehl C, Hendrix B, Hoffer P, Boyle T, Bradley J, Caruano-Yzermans A, Deikman J. Beyond identity: Understanding the contribution of the 5' nucleotide of the antisense strand to RNAi activity. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0256863. [PMID: 34492058 PMCID: PMC8423273 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0256863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In both the pharmaceutical and agricultural fields, RNA-based products have capitalized upon the mechanism of RNA interference for targeted reduction of gene expression to improve phenotypes and traits. Reduction in gene expression by RNAi is the result of a small interfering RNA (siRNA) molecule binding to an ARGONAUTE (AGO) protein and directing the effector complex to a homologous region of a target gene's mRNA. siRNAs properties that govern RNA-AGO association have been studied in detail. The siRNA 5' nucleotide (nt) identity has been demonstrated in plants to be an important property responsible for directing association of endogenous small RNAs with different AGO effector proteins. However, it has not been investigated whether the 5' nt identity is an efficacious determinant for topically-applied chemically synthesized siRNAs. In this study, we employed a sandpaper abrasion method to study the silencing efficacies of topically-applied 21 base-pair siRNA duplexes. The MAGNESIUM CHELATASE and GREEN FLUORESCENT PROTEIN genes were selected as endogenous and transgenic gene targets, respectively, to assess the molecular and phenotypic effects of gene silencing. Collections of siRNA variants with different 5' nt identities and different pairing states between the 5' antisense nt and its match in the sense strand of the siRNA duplex were tested for their silencing efficacy. Our results suggest a flexibility in the 5' nt requirement for topically applied siRNA duplexes in planta and highlight the similarity of 5' thermodynamic rules governing topical siRNA efficacy across plants and animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peizhen Yang
- Bayer Crop Science, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Ericka Havecker
- Bayer Crop Science, Chesterfield, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Matthew Bauer
- Bayer Crop Science, Chesterfield, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Carl Diehl
- Bayer Crop Science, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Bill Hendrix
- Bayer Crop Science, Woodland, California, United States of America
| | - Paul Hoffer
- Bayer Crop Science, Woodland, California, United States of America
| | - Timothy Boyle
- Bayer Crop Science, Chesterfield, Missouri, United States of America
| | - John Bradley
- Bayer Crop Science, Chesterfield, Missouri, United States of America
| | | | - Jill Deikman
- Bayer Crop Science, Woodland, California, United States of America
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6
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Viroids as a Tool to Study RNA-Directed DNA Methylation in Plants. Cells 2021; 10:cells10051187. [PMID: 34067940 PMCID: PMC8152041 DOI: 10.3390/cells10051187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Revised: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Viroids are plant pathogenic, circular, non-coding, single-stranded RNAs (ssRNAs). Members of the Pospiviroidae family replicate in the nucleus of plant cells through double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) intermediates, thus triggering the host’s RNA interference (RNAi) machinery. In plants, the two RNAi pillars are Post-Transcriptional Gene Silencing (PTGS) and RNA-directed DNA Methylation (RdDM), and the latter has the potential to trigger Transcriptional Gene Silencing (TGS). Over the last three decades, the employment of viroid-based systems has immensely contributed to our understanding of both of these RNAi facets. In this review, we highlight the role of Pospiviroidae in the discovery of RdDM, expound the gradual elucidation through the years of the diverse array of RdDM’s mechanistic details and propose a revised RdDM model based on the cumulative amount of evidence from viroid and non-viroid systems.
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7
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Venkataraman S, Badar U, Shoeb E, Hashim G, AbouHaidar M, Hefferon K. An Inside Look into Biological Miniatures: Molecular Mechanisms of Viroids. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:2795. [PMID: 33801996 PMCID: PMC8001946 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22062795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2020] [Revised: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Viroids are tiny single-stranded circular RNA pathogens that infect plants. Viroids do not encode any proteins, yet cause an assortment of symptoms. The following review describes viroid classification, molecular biology and spread. The review also discusses viroid pathogenesis, host interactions and detection. The review concludes with a description of future prospects in viroid research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Kathleen Hefferon
- Cell and System Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3B2, Canada; (S.V.); (U.B.); (E.S.); (G.H.); (M.A.)
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8
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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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9
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Taochy C, Yu A, Bouché N, Bouteiller N, Elmayan T, Dressel U, Carroll BJ, Vaucheret H. Post-transcriptional gene silencing triggers dispensable DNA methylation in gene body in Arabidopsis. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 47:9104-9114. [PMID: 31372641 PMCID: PMC6753489 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkz636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2019] [Revised: 06/27/2019] [Accepted: 07/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Spontaneous post-transcriptional silencing of sense transgenes (S-PTGS) is established in each generation and is accompanied by DNA methylation, but the pathway of PTGS-dependent DNA methylation is unknown and so is its role. Here we show that CHH and CHG methylation coincides spatially and temporally with RDR6-dependent products derived from the central and 3' regions of the coding sequence, and requires the components of the RNA-directed DNA methylation (RdDM) pathway NRPE1, DRD1 and DRM2, but not CLSY1, NRPD1, RDR2 or DCL3, suggesting that RDR6-dependent products, namely long dsRNAs and/or siRNAs, trigger PTGS-dependent DNA methylation. Nevertheless, none of these RdDM components are required to establish S-PTGS or produce a systemic silencing signal. Moreover, preventing de novo DNA methylation in non-silenced transgenic tissues grafted onto homologous silenced tissues does not inhibit the triggering of PTGS. Overall, these data indicate that gene body DNA methylation is a consequence, not a cause, of PTGS, and rule out the hypothesis that a PTGS-associated DNA methylation signal is transmitted independent of a PTGS signal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christelle Taochy
- Institut Jean-Pierre Bourgin, INRA, AgroParisTech, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, 78000, Versailles, France.,School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld 4072, Australia
| | - Agnès Yu
- Institut Jean-Pierre Bourgin, INRA, AgroParisTech, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, 78000, Versailles, France
| | - Nicolas Bouché
- Institut Jean-Pierre Bourgin, INRA, AgroParisTech, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, 78000, Versailles, France
| | - Nathalie Bouteiller
- Institut Jean-Pierre Bourgin, INRA, AgroParisTech, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, 78000, Versailles, France
| | - Taline Elmayan
- Institut Jean-Pierre Bourgin, INRA, AgroParisTech, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, 78000, Versailles, France
| | - Uwe Dressel
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld 4072, Australia
| | - Bernard J Carroll
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld 4072, Australia
| | - Hervé Vaucheret
- Institut Jean-Pierre Bourgin, INRA, AgroParisTech, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, 78000, Versailles, France
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10
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Pooggin MM. Small RNA-Omics for Plant Virus Identification, Virome Reconstruction, and Antiviral Defense Characterization. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:2779. [PMID: 30524398 PMCID: PMC6256188 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.02779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2018] [Accepted: 10/30/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi)-based antiviral defense generates small interfering RNAs that represent the entire genome sequences of both RNA and DNA viruses as well as viroids and viral satellites. Therefore, deep sequencing and bioinformatics analysis of small RNA population (small RNA-ome) allows not only for universal virus detection and genome reconstruction but also for complete virome reconstruction in mixed infections. Viral infections (like other stress factors) can also perturb the RNAi and gene silencing pathways regulating endogenous gene expression and repressing transposons and host genome-integrated endogenous viral elements which can potentially be released from the genome and contribute to disease. This review describes the application of small RNA-omics for virus detection, virome reconstruction and antiviral defense characterization in cultivated and non-cultivated plants. Reviewing available evidence from a large and ever growing number of studies of naturally or experimentally infected hosts revealed that all families of land plant viruses, their satellites and viroids spawn characteristic small RNAs which can be assembled into contigs of sufficient length for virus, satellite or viroid identification and for exhaustive reconstruction of complex viromes. Moreover, the small RNA size, polarity and hotspot profiles reflect virome interactions with the plant RNAi machinery and allow to distinguish between silent endogenous viral elements and their replicating episomal counterparts. Models for the biogenesis and functions of small interfering RNAs derived from all types of RNA and DNA viruses, satellites and viroids as well as endogenous viral elements are presented and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikhail M. Pooggin
- Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, UMR BGPI, Montpellier, France
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11
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Giguère T, Perreault JP. Classification of the Pospiviroidae based on their structural hallmarks. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0182536. [PMID: 28783761 PMCID: PMC5544226 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0182536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2017] [Accepted: 07/19/2017] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The simplest known plant pathogens are the viroids. Because of their non-coding single-stranded circular RNA genome, they depend on both their sequence and their structure for both a successful infection and their replication. In the recent years, important progress in the elucidation of their structures was achieved using an adaptation of the selective 2’-hydroxyl acylation analyzed by primer extension (SHAPE) protocol in order to probe viroid structures in solution. Previously, SHAPE has been adapted to elucidate the structures of all of the members of the family Avsunviroidae, as well as those of a few members of the family Pospiviroidae. In this study, with the goal of providing an entire compendium of the secondary structures of the various viroid species, a total of thirteen new Pospiviroidae members were probed in solution using the SHAPE protocol. More specifically, the secondary structures of eleven species for which the genus was previously known were initially elucidated. At this point, considering all of the SHAPE elucidated secondary structures, a classification system for viroids in their respective genera was proposed. On the basis of the structural classification reported here, the probings of both the Grapevine latent viroid and the Dahlia latent viroid provide sound arguments for the determination of their respective genera, which appear to be Apscaviroid and Hostuviroid, respectively. More importantly, this study provides the complete repertoire of the secondary structures, mapped in solution, of all of the accepted viroid species reported thus far. In addition, a classification scheme based on structural hallmarks, an important tool for many biological studies, is proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Giguère
- RNA Group/Groupe ARN, Département de biochimie, Faculté de médecine et des sciences de la santé, Pavillon de recherche appliquée sur le cancer, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada
| | - Jean-Pierre Perreault
- RNA Group/Groupe ARN, Département de biochimie, Faculté de médecine et des sciences de la santé, Pavillon de recherche appliquée sur le cancer, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada
- * E-mail:
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12
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Zhang H, Zhu JK. New discoveries generate new questions about RNA-directed DNA methylation in Arabidopsis. Natl Sci Rev 2017; 4:10-15. [PMID: 30034910 DOI: 10.1093/nsr/nwx008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Huiming Zhang
- Shanghai Center for Plant Stress Biology, and CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Jian-Kang Zhu
- Shanghai Center for Plant Stress Biology, and CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.,Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
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13
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Deuschle K, Kepp G, Jeske H. Differential methylation of the circular DNA in geminiviral minichromosomes. Virology 2016; 499:243-258. [PMID: 27716464 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2016.09.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2016] [Revised: 09/22/2016] [Accepted: 09/24/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Geminiviral minichromosomes were purified to explore epigenetic modifications. The levels of methylation in their covalently closed circular DNA were examined with the help of methylation-dependent restriction (MdR). DNA with 12 superhelical turns was preferentially modified, indicating minichromosomes with 12 nucleosomes leaving an open gap. MdR digestion yielded a specific product of genomic length, which was cloned and Sanger-sequenced, or amplified following ligation-mediated rolling circle amplification and deep-sequenced (circomics). The conventional approach revealed a single cleavage product indicating specific methylations at the borders of the common region. The circomics approach identified considerably more MdR sites in a preferential distance to each other of ~200 nts, which is the DNA length in a nucleosome. They accumulated in regions of nucleosome-free gaps, but scattered also along the genomic components. These results may hint at a function in specific gene regulation, as well as in virus resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathrin Deuschle
- Institut für Biomaterialien und biomolekulare Systeme, Abteilung für Molekularbiologie und Virologie der Pflanzen, Universität Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 57, D-70550 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Gabi Kepp
- Institut für Biomaterialien und biomolekulare Systeme, Abteilung für Molekularbiologie und Virologie der Pflanzen, Universität Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 57, D-70550 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Holger Jeske
- Institut für Biomaterialien und biomolekulare Systeme, Abteilung für Molekularbiologie und Virologie der Pflanzen, Universität Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 57, D-70550 Stuttgart, Germany.
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14
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Castellano M, Martinez G, Marques MC, Moreno-Romero J, Köhler C, Pallas V, Gomez G. Changes in the DNA methylation pattern of the host male gametophyte of viroid-infected cucumber plants. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2016; 67:5857-5868. [PMID: 27697787 PMCID: PMC5066502 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erw353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Eukaryotic organisms exposed to adverse conditions are required to show a certain degree of transcriptional plasticity in order to cope successfully with stress. Epigenetic regulation of the genome is a key regulatory mechanism allowing dynamic changes of the transcriptional status of the plant in response to stress. The Hop stunt viroid (HSVd) induces the demethylation of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) in cucumber (Cucumis sativus) leaves, leading to increasing transcription rates of rRNA. In addition to the clear alterations observed in vegetative tissues, HSVd infection is also associated with drastic changes in gametophyte development. To examine the basis of viroid-induced alterations in reproductive tissues, we analysed the cellular and molecular consequences of HSVd infection in the male gametophyte of cucumber plants. Our results indicate that in the pollen grain, accumulation of HSVd RNA induces a decondensation of the generative nucleus that correlates with a dynamic demethylation of repetitive regions in the cucumber genome that include rRNA genes and transposable elements (TEs). We therefore propose that HSVd infection impairs the epigenetic control of rRNA genes and TEs in gametic cells of cucumber, a phenomenon thus far unknown to occur in this reproductive tissue as a consequence of pathogen infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayte Castellano
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas (IBMCP), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-Universidad Politecnica de Valencia (UPV), CPI, Edificio 8 E, Av. de los Naranjos s/n, 46022 Valencia, Spain
| | - German Martinez
- Department of Plant Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and Linnean Center for Plant Biology, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Maria Carmen Marques
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas (IBMCP), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-Universidad Politecnica de Valencia (UPV), CPI, Edificio 8 E, Av. de los Naranjos s/n, 46022 Valencia, Spain
| | - Jordi Moreno-Romero
- Department of Plant Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and Linnean Center for Plant Biology, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Claudia Köhler
- Department of Plant Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and Linnean Center for Plant Biology, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Vicente Pallas
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas (IBMCP), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-Universidad Politecnica de Valencia (UPV), CPI, Edificio 8 E, Av. de los Naranjos s/n, 46022 Valencia, Spain
| | - Gustavo Gomez
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas (IBMCP), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-Universidad Politecnica de Valencia (UPV), CPI, Edificio 8 E, Av. de los Naranjos s/n, 46022 Valencia, Spain
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