lncRNA-Encoded Small Peptide Promotes Viral Infection
Yaoyao Li1, Juan Zhang1, Chunyan Qi1
1State Key Laboratory for Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, Key Laboratory of Biotechnology in Plant Protection of MARA, Key Laboratory of Green Plant Protection of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Plant Virology, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China.
Molecular Plant Pathology
|April 17, 2025
Summary
A newly identified small peptide, ORF4, encoded by lncRNA Talnc54748, enhances plant viral infections. This peptide impacts plant hormone and MAPK signaling pathways, suggesting a role in plant immunity.
Area of Science:
- Plant molecular biology
- Plant-pathogen interactions
- RNA biology
Background:
- Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) can encode small peptides with biological functions.
- The role of lncRNA-encoded peptides in plant antiviral defense is largely unknown.
- Wheat yellow mosaic virus (WYMV) is a significant plant pathogen.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the function of lncRNA-encoded small peptides in the plant antiviral response.
- To identify specific lncRNAs and their encoded peptides involved in plant immunity.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which these peptides affect plant defense.
Main Methods:
- Identification and characterization of lncRNA Talnc54748 and its encoded peptide ORF4.
- Generation of transgenic Nicotiana benthamiana overexpressing ORF4.
- RNA sequencing to analyze gene expression changes in ORF4-overexpressing lines.
- Virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) to study the function of SAUR21 and MKK2.
- Assessing viral and bacterial pathogen infection levels in modified plants.
Main Results:
- Overexpression of ORF4 in N. benthamiana enhanced WYMV infection.
- RNA-seq revealed reduced expression of genes in plant hormone and MAPK signaling pathways in ORF4-overexpressing lines.
- Silencing of SAUR21 (plant hormone signaling) or MKK2 (MAPK signaling) enhanced WYMV infection.
- ORF4 overexpression also increased susceptibility to Tobacco Mosaic Virus (TMV), Tomato Mosaic Virus (ToMV), Phytophthora capsici, and Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000.
Conclusions:
- The lncRNA-encoded small peptide ORF4 plays a significant role in modulating plant immunity.
- ORF4 appears to suppress plant defense responses by affecting hormone and MAPK signaling pathways.
- This study provides novel insights into the function of lncRNA-derived peptides in plant antiviral and antibacterial defense.
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