Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi), a process that inhibits gene expression by the double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), causes the degradation of target messenger RNA molecules. RNAi exists in almost all organisms. We review the recent history of RNAi studies, RNAi molecular mechanisms, characteristics and RNAi applications in higher plants. At the same time, the prospect of RNAi applications in functional genomics and genetic improvement of higher plants and possible future problems and possibilities are also discussed.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Abbott D, Wang M B, Waterhouse P. 2000. A single copy of a virus-derived transgene encoding hairpin RNA gives immunity to barley yellow dwarf virus. Mol Plant Pathol, 1(6): 347–356
Bakhetia M, Urwin P E, Atkinson H J. 2007. QPCR analysis and RNAi define pharyngeal gland cell-expressed genes of Heterodera glycines required for initial interactions with the host. Mol Plant-Microbe Interact, 20: 306–312
Bernstein E, Caudy A A, Hammond S A, Hannon G J. 2001. Role for a bidentate ribonuclease in the initiation step of RNA interference. Nature, 409: 363–366
Bevan M. 2002. Genomics and plant cells: application of genomics strategies to Arabidopsis cell biology. Phil Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci, 357: 731–736
Byzova M, Verduyn C, DeBrouwer D. 2003. Transforming petals into sepaloid organs in Arabidopsis and oilseed rape: implementation of the hairpin RNAi-mediated gene silencing technology in an organ-specific manner. Planta, 216(4): 686–691
Chen S, Hofius D, Sonnewald U, Bornke F. 2003. Temporal and spatial control of gene silencing in transgenic plants by inducible expression of double-stranded RNA. Plant J, 36: 731–740
Chuang C, Meyerowitz E M. 2000. Specific and heritable genetic interference by double-stranded RNA in Arabidopsis thaliana. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, 97(9): 4985–4990
Fire A, Xu S, Montgomery M K, Kostas S A, Driver S E, Mello C C. 1998. Potent and specific genetic interference by double-stranded RNA in Caenorhabditis elegans. Nature, 391: 806–811
Guo S, Kemphues K J. 1995. Par-1, a gene required for establishing polarity in C. elegans embryos, encodes a putative Ser/Thr kinase that is asymmetrically distributed. Cell, 81: 611–620
Hammond S M, Caudy A A, Hannon G J. 2001. Post-transcriptional gene silencing by double-stranded RNA. Nat Rev Gen, 2: 110–119
Hutvagner G, Zamore P D. 2002. RNAi: nature abhors a double-strand. Curr Opin Genet Dev, 12: 225–232
Kimber M J, McKinney S, McMaster S, Day T A, Fleming C C, Maule A G. 2007. Flp gene disruption in a parasitic nematode reveals motor dysfunction and unusual neuronal sensitivity to RNA interference. FASEB J, 21: 1233–1243
Kusaba M, Miyahara K, Iida S, Fukuoka H, Takano T, Sassa H, Nishimura M, Nishio T. 2003. Low glutelin content 1: a dominant mutation that suppresses the glutelin multigene family via RNA silencing in rice. Plant Cell, 15: 1455–1467
Lawrence R J, Pikaard C S. 2003. Transgene-induced RNA interference: a strategy for overcoming gene redundancy in polyploids to generate loss-of-function mutations. Plant J, 36: 114–121
Liu L C, Xiang X, Cao J S. 2006. BcMF4 gene, encoding a lucine-rich repeat protein, plays a role in male fertility in Chinese cabbage-pak-choi. Hereditas, 28(11): l428–1434
Liu Q, Singh S P, Green A G. 2002. High-stearic and high-oleic cottonseed oils produced by hairpin RNA-mediated post-transcriptional gene silencing. Plant Physiol, 129: 1732–1743
Missiou A, Kalantidis K, Boutla A, Tzortzakaki S, Tabler M, Tsagris M. 2004. Generation of transgenic potato plants highly resistant to potato virus Y (PVY) through RNA silencing. Mol Breed, 14(2): 185–197
Moritoh S, Miki D, Akiyama M. 2005. RNAi-mediated silencing of OsGEN-L (OsGEN-like), a new member of the RAD2/XPG nuclease family, causes male sterility by defect of microspore development in rice. Plant Cell Physiol, 46: 699–715
Napoli C, Lemieux C, Jorgensen R. 1990. Introduction of a chimeric chalcone synthase gene into petunia results in reversible co-suppression of homologous genes in trans. Plant Cell, 2(4): 279–289
Nykanen A, Haley B, Zamore P D. 2001. ATP requirements and small interfering RNA structure in the RNA interference pathway. Cell, 107: 309–321
Ogita S, Uefuji H, Yamaguchi Y, Koizumi N, Sano H. 2003. Producing decaffeinated coffee plants. Nature, 423: 823
Pinto Y M, Kok R A, Baulcombe D C. 1999. Resistance to rice yellow mottle virus (RYMV) in cultivated African rice varieties containing RYMV transgenes. Nat Biotechnol, 17: 702–707
Romano, N, G. Macino. 1992. Quelling: transient inactivation of gene expression in Neurospora crassa by transformation with homologous sequences. Mol Microbiol, 6: 3343–3353
Sharp P A. 2001. RNA Interference-2001. Genes Dev, 15: 485–490
Shinjiro O, Hirotaka U, Yube Y. 2003. Producing decaffeinated coffee plants. Nature, 423(19): 823
Smith N A, Singh S P, Wang M B. 2000. Total silencing by intron-spliced hairpin RNAs. Nature, 407: 319–320
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Zhou, Bb., Li, W. & Chen, Xy. RNA interference and its application in plants. For. Stud. China 10, 280–284 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11632-008-0044-4
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11632-008-0044-4