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RNA translocation between parasitic plants and their hosts
Author(s) -
Westwood James H,
Roney Jeannine K,
Khatibi Piyum A,
Stromberg Verlyn K
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
pest management science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.296
H-Index - 125
eISSN - 1526-4998
pISSN - 1526-498X
DOI - 10.1002/ps.1727
Subject(s) - cuscuta , biology , parasitic plant , rna interference , chromosomal translocation , rna , orobanchaceae , host (biology) , parasitism , gene , rna silencing , genetics , microbiology and biotechnology , botany
Recent research indicates that RNA translocation occurs between certain parasitic plant species and their hosts. The movement of at least 27 mRNAs has been demonstrated between hosts and Cuscuta pentagona Engelm., with the largest proportion of these being regulatory genes. Movement of RNAi signals has been documented from hosts to the parasites Triphysaria versicolor (Frisch & CA Mey) and Orobanche aegyptiaca (Pers.), demonstrating that the regulation of genes in one species can be influenced by transfer of RNA signals through a parasitic association. This review considers the implications of these findings in light of present understanding of host–parasite connections and the growing body of evidence that RNAs are able to act as signal molecules that convey regulatory information in a cell‐ and tissue‐specific manner. Together, this suggests that parasitic plants can exchange RNAs with their hosts, and that this may be part of the coordinated growth and development that occurs during the process of parasitism. This phenomenon offers promise for new insights into parasitic plants, and new opportunities for the control of parasitic weeds. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry