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Updated: Mar 13, 2026

Investigation of Plant Interactions Across Common Mycorrhizal Networks Using Rotated Cores
Published on: March 26, 2019
Cross-kingdom RNA interference promotes arbuscular mycorrhiza development
Annika Usländer1,2, Manisha V Haag1, An-Po Cheng1,3
1Max-Planck-Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Potsdam-Golm, Germany.
Abstract:
Cross-kingdom RNA interference is an emerging concept in plant-pathogen interactions. Here we provide evidence that cross-kingdom RNA interference also occurs in a beneficial plant symbiosis called arbuscular mycorrhiza. The arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Rhizophagus irregularis transfers small RNAs into plant cells, promoting the colonization of host roots. This finding establishes inter-organismal RNA communication as a new regulatory mechanism of this ancient and widespread symbiosis.
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