A genetics screen highlights emerging roles for CPL3, RST1 and URT1 in RNA metabolism and silencing

Post-transcriptional gene silencing (PTGS) is a major mechanism regulating gene expression in higher eukaryotes. To identify novel players in PTGS, a forward genetics screen was performed on an Arabidopsis thaliana line overexpressing a strong growth-repressive gene, ETHYLENE RESPONSE FACTOR6 (ERF6). We identified six independent ethyl-methanesulfonate mutants rescuing the dwarfism of ERF6-overexpressing plants as a result of transgene silencing. Among the causative genes, ETHYLENE-INSENSITIVE5, SUPERKILLER2 and HASTY1 have previously been reported to inhibit PTGS. Notably, the three other causative genes have not, to date, been related to PTGS: UTP:RNA-URIDYLYLTRANSFERASE1 (URT1), C-TERMINAL DOMAIN PHOSPHATASE-LIKE3 (CPL3) and RESURRECTION1 (RST1). We show that these genes may participate in protecting the 3' end of transgene transcripts. We present a model in which URT1, CPL3 and RST1 are classified as PTGS suppressors, as compromisation of these genes provokes the accumulation of aberrant transcripts which, in turn, trigger the production of small interfering RNAs, initiating RNA silencing.