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Published on: September 7, 2022
Evolutionarily New Solanaceous DCL2 Family Members Acquire Functions in Tomato
Jie Hao1, Junfei Ma1, Bin Liu2
1Department of Plant Pathology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA.
Plant RNA silencing, a key defense against viruses, involves Dicer-like proteins (DCLs) generating small RNAs (sRNAs). This study reveals expanded DCL2 gene functions in tomato, crucial for combating viroids and viral pathogens.
Area of Science:
- Plant Molecular Biology
- Virology
- Genetics
Background:
- RNA silencing is a crucial plant defense mechanism against viral pathogens, mediated by Dicer-like proteins (DCLs) and small RNAs (sRNAs).
- While well-studied in Arabidopsis, diverse silencing components exist in crops, particularly Solanaceae.
- Understanding these variations is key to improving crop resistance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the evolutionary expansion and functional roles of solanaceous-specific Dicer-like 2 (DCL2) genes.
- To determine the involvement of DCL2 genes in antiviral defense in tomato plants.
- To explore the characteristics and function of unusual short viral small RNAs.
Main Methods:
- Gene family expansion analysis of DCL2 in Solanaceae.
- Viral challenge assays in tomato plants (cv. Heinz 1706) infected with potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTVd).
- Analysis of viral small RNA populations and functional assays using synthetic small interfering RNAs.
Main Results:
- Identified an evolutionarily recent copy of DCL2 (DCL2a) in tomato.
- DCL2b showed pathogen-inducible expression, varying by cultivar and virus.
- Both DCL2a and DCL2b were essential for suppressing PSTVd accumulation.
- Observed unusually short viral small RNAs (16-19 nt) that contribute to RNA silencing, but are inhibited by viral suppressors like P19.
Conclusions:
- The DCL2 gene family has expanded functionally within the Solanaceae.
- Tomato DCL2a and DCL2b play critical roles in antiviral and subviral agent defense.
- Short viral small RNAs represent an additional layer of RNA silencing, subject to viral counter-defense.
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