Integrating RNA Interference and Nanotechnology: A Transformative Approach in Plant Protection

RNA interference (RNAi) has emerged as a potent mechanism for combating pathogenic fungi and oomycetes over the past decades. It offers a promising gene-silencing approach by targeting crucial genes involved in diseases caused by economically and scientifically significant fungal pathogens, such as...

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Main Authors: Mohammad Shafiqul Islam, Md Robel Ahmed, Muhammad Noman, Zhen Zhang, Jing Wang, Ziqi Lu, Yingying Cai, Temoor Ahmed, Bin Li, Yanli Wang, Abul Khayer Mohammad Golam Sarwar, Jiaoyu Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Plants
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/6/977
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Summary:RNA interference (RNAi) has emerged as a potent mechanism for combating pathogenic fungi and oomycetes over the past decades. It offers a promising gene-silencing approach by targeting crucial genes involved in diseases caused by economically and scientifically significant fungal pathogens, such as <i>Botrytis cinerea</i> and <i>Fusarium</i> species. Simultaneously, nano-agro-products have gained attention as alternatives to traditional fungicides in plant protection strategies. However, the instability of naked RNA molecules outside the cellular environment presents a challenge, as they degrade rapidly, limiting their efficacy for prolonged disease control. Concerns regarding the toxicity of protective nanoparticles to non-target organisms have also arisen. Integrating RNAi with nano-agro-products, particularly nanocarriers, to form RNA-nano complexes has demonstrated significant potential, providing enhanced RNA stability, reduced toxicity, and extended disease control. This review explores the mechanisms of RNA-nano complexes-mediated plant protection, addressing RNA stability and nano-toxicity issues while examining the prospects of RNA-nano complex research in plant pathogen management.
ISSN:2223-7747