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Updated: Sep 13, 2025
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RNA Blot Analysis for the Detection and Quantification of Plant MicroRNAs
Published on: July 11, 2020
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Regulation of Plant Genes with Exogenous RNAs
Alexandra S Dubrovina1, Andrey R Suprun1, Konstantin V Kiselev1
1Laboratory of Biotechnology, Federal Scientific Center of the East Asia Terrestrial Biodiversity, Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Vladivostok 690022, Russia.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|July 29, 2025
Summary
Spray-induced gene silencing (SIGS) uses exogenous RNA to modify plant traits by silencing specific genes. This review explores SIGS for regulating plant genes, offering potential for crop improvement.
Area of Science:
- Plant biotechnology
- Molecular biology
- Agricultural science
Background:
- Exogenous RNA application, or spray-induced gene silencing (SIGS), leverages RNA interference (RNAi) for plant trait modification.
- SIGS involves applying various RNA types (dsRNA, hpRNA, siRNA, miRNA) to plant surfaces to trigger gene silencing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and analyze studies on exogenously induced silencing of plant endogenes and transgenes.
- To discuss RNA production, delivery, uptake, transport, and mechanisms of action for SIGS.
- To highlight the potential of SIGS for crop improvement and plant gene functional studies.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and analysis of existing studies on exogenous RNA application in plants.
- Examination of different RNA types used in SIGS.
- Investigation of RNA production, delivery, uptake, transport, and silencing mechanisms.
Main Results:
- Exogenous RNA application effectively silences specific plant genes and transgenes.
- SIGS has been extensively studied for pathogen resistance but less for endogenous gene regulation.
- The review analyzes RNA production, delivery, uptake, transport, and mechanism of action.
Conclusions:
- Exogenous RNA application (SIGS) can modulate plant gene expression, impacting crop traits.
- Further research into SIGS for endogenous gene regulation offers significant potential for agricultural applications.
- SIGS presents a promising tool for both crop improvement and plant gene function research.
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