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Published on: May 4, 2018
Systemic mobile RNAs: From molecular mechanisms to agricultural applications
Yuqin Wu1, Shuangfeng Wang2, Friedrich Kragler3
1State Key Laboratory of North China Crop Improvement and Regulation, Key Laboratory of Vegetable Germplasm Innovation and Utilization of Hebei, Collaborative Innovation Center of Vegetable Industry in Hebei, College of Horticulture, Hebei Agricultural University, No. 2596 Lekai South Street, Lianchi District, Baoding, Hebei 071000, China.
Trends in Plant Science
|June 10, 2026
Summary
Plants use mobile RNAs to signal across tissues, regulating growth and development. These mobile RNAs offer innovative strategies for sustainable crop improvement and protection.
Area of Science:
- Plant molecular biology
- Plant signaling pathways
- Agricultural biotechnology
Background:
- Plants utilize mobile RNAs for systemic communication, coordinating responses to environmental cues.
- Mobile RNAs are crucial for regulating key developmental processes like flowering time and tuberization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize recent insights into the mechanisms and functions of mobile RNAs in plants.
- To highlight the agricultural applications of mobile RNAs for crop improvement and protection.
Main Methods:
- Identification of mobile RNAs using advanced molecular techniques.
- Analysis of RNA transport mechanisms, including plasmodesmata, extracellular vesicles, and phloem.
Main Results:
- Diverse RNAs identified as mobile signals, moving cell-to-cell and long-distance.
- Mechanisms of RNA mobility elucidated, involving sequence motifs, RNA-binding proteins, and epitranscriptomic modifications.
Conclusions:
- Mobile RNAs are key regulators of plant processes with significant agricultural potential.
- Applications include transgene-free breeding via mobile CRISPR/Cas9 and sustainable pest management using RNA nanocarriers.
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