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Oligo-Not Only for Silencing: Overlooked Potential for Multidirectional Action in Plants
Cezary Krasnodębski1, Agnieszka Sawuła1, Urszula Kaźmierczak2
1Department of Genetic Biochemistry, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, Przybyszewskiego 63/77, 51-148 Wroclaw, Poland.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|March 11, 2023
Summary
Oligo technology offers a simple, low-cost way to modify gene activity in plants without genetic modification. This method allows for bidirectional changes in gene expression and can even induce heritable epigenetic modifications.
Area of Science:
- Plant molecular biology
- Gene regulation
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Oligo technology enables direct manipulation of gene activity.
- It offers gene expression changes without stable transformation, primarily in animal cells.
- Plant applications of oligo technology appear simpler and potentially mimic endogenous microRNAs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the presumed mechanisms of oligonucleotide action in plant cells.
- To highlight differences in oligo action between plant and animal cells.
- To present principles for bidirectional gene activity changes and heritable epigenetic modifications in plants.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on oligonucleotide mechanisms in plants.
- Comparison of oligo action in plant versus animal cells.
- Discussion of IT tools for oligonucleotide design.
Main Results:
- Oligonucleotides can interact directly with nucleic acids or indirectly via regulatory proteins.
- Mechanisms in plants may differ from those in animal cells.
- Oligo effects are sequence-dependent and can lead to epigenetic changes.
Conclusions:
- Oligo technology is a versatile tool for modulating plant gene expression.
- It facilitates bidirectional gene activity control and heritable epigenetic modifications.
- The review provides insights into mechanisms, delivery methods, and design tools for plant oligo applications.
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