Trans-kingdom cross-talk: small RNAs on the move

PLoS Genet. 2014 Sep 4;10(9):e1004602. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1004602. eCollection 2014 Sep.

Abstract

This review focuses on the mobility of small RNA (sRNA) molecules from the perspective of trans-kingdom gene silencing. Mobility of sRNA molecules within organisms is a well-known phenomenon, facilitating gene silencing between cells and tissues. sRNA signals are also transmitted between organisms of the same species and of different species. Remarkably, in recent years many examples of RNA-signal exchange have been described to occur between organisms of different kingdoms. These examples are predominantly found in interactions between hosts and their pathogens, parasites, and symbionts. However, they may only represent the tip of the iceberg, since the emerging picture suggests that organisms in biological niches commonly exchange RNA-silencing signals. In this case, we need to take this into account fully to understand how a given biological equilibrium is obtained. Despite many observations of trans-kingdom RNA signal transfer, several mechanistic aspects of these signals remain unknown. Such RNA signal transfer is already being exploited for practical purposes, though. Pathogen genes can be silenced by plant-produced sRNAs designed to affect these genes. This is also known as Host-Induced Genes Silencing (HIGS), and it has the potential to become an important disease-control method in the future.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Arabidopsis / genetics
  • Host-Pathogen Interactions / genetics
  • Humans
  • RNA / genetics*
  • RNA Interference / physiology
  • RNA, Small Untranslated / genetics*

Substances

  • RNA, Small Untranslated
  • RNA

Grants and funding

This work has been supported by The Danish Council for Independent Research, Natural Sciences. The funders had no role in the preparation of the article.