Small RNA profiles from virus-infected fresh market vegetables

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Molecular Biology
• Virology

Background:

• Functional small RNAs, including short interfering RNAs (siRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs), are present in edible plants.
• These small RNAs can originate from the plant's own genetic material or from viruses infecting the plant.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the presence and origin of small RNAs in commonly consumed fruits and vegetables.
• To assess the potential biological relevance of virally-derived small RNAs in plants concerning human gene homology.

Main Methods:

• Small RNA sequencing was performed on symptomatic tomatoes, watermelons, zucchini, and onions.
• Sequences were aligned against known viral genomes to identify infecting viruses and their derived small RNAs.

Main Results:

• Four distinct viruses were identified infecting the tested produce.
• Numerous virally-derived and endogenous small RNAs exhibited high complementarity to human genes.
• Despite sequence homology, the established safety of consuming these vegetables suggests minimal biological impact.

Conclusions:

• The presence of virally-derived small RNAs in food plants does not pose a biological risk to humans.
• These findings support the safety of using genetically engineered crops employing RNA-based suppression technologies, particularly for virus resistance using viral-derived siRNAs or miRNAs.