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Updated: May 4, 2026
Potato Virus X-Based microRNA Silencing VbMS In Potato.
Published on: May 11, 2020
Prediction and validation of potential pathogenic microRNAs involved in Phytophthora infestans infection
Juanjuan Cui1, Yushi Luan, Weichen Wang
1School of Life Science and Biotechnology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116023, China.
Abstract:
Being one kind of approximately 22nt long small RNA, miRNA has shown its roles in host-pathogen interaction, providing one possible way for pathogen infection. Though Phytophthora infestans is a major pathogen that causes devastating late blight of potato, tomato and so on, so far there have not been any systematic researches on miRNAs and even pathogenic miRNAs in P. infestans. Here, for the first time we comprehensively predicted and identified pathogenic miRNAs that may exist in P. infestans. First, a total of 128 putative miRNAs belonging to 66 miRNA family were identified by bioinformatic approaches. Then, 33 vital pathogenic miRNAs were screened by constructing miRNA-miRNA relationship networks. Finally, four potential pathogenic miRNAs were chosen for detection, two of which are chosen for validation. The expression quantity of pi-miR466 and pi-miR1918 changed dramatically during incubation of tomato leaves, implying that they are potential pathogenic miRNAs.
Insights
This study identifies novel pathogenic microRNAs (miRNAs) in Phytophthora infestans, the pathogen causing late blight. Two specific miRNAs, pi-miR466 and pi-miR1918, show significant expression changes in infected tomato leaves.
Area of Science:
- Plant Pathology
- Molecular Biology
- Bioinformatics
Background:
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small RNAs involved in host-pathogen interactions.
- Phytophthora infestans causes devastating late blight in crops like potato and tomato.
- No systematic research on P. infestans miRNAs or pathogenic miRNAs exists.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comprehensively predict and identify pathogenic miRNAs in P. infestans.
- To screen for vital pathogenic miRNAs using network analysis.
- To validate potential pathogenic miRNAs through expression analysis.
Main Methods:
- Bioinformatic prediction of 128 putative miRNAs from 66 miRNA families.
- Construction of miRNA-miRNA relationship networks to screen 33 vital pathogenic miRNAs.
- Detection and validation of four potential pathogenic miRNAs, including pi-miR466 and pi-miR1918.
Main Results:
- 128 putative miRNAs and 66 miRNA families were identified in P. infestans.
- 33 vital pathogenic miRNAs were screened using network analysis.
- Expression of pi-miR466 and pi-miR1918 significantly changed during tomato leaf infection.
Conclusions:
- This study provides the first comprehensive identification of pathogenic miRNAs in P. infestans.
- pi-miR466 and pi-miR1918 are identified as potential pathogenic miRNAs involved in P. infestans infection.
- These findings offer new insights into the molecular mechanisms of P. infestans pathogenicity.
