Project Details
Projekt
The role and transport mechanism of extracellular RNAs in the Verticillium - Brassica interaction
Applicant
Professorin Dr. Julia Kehr
Subject Area
Plant Biochemistry and Biophysics
Plant Breeding and Plant Pathology
Plant Breeding and Plant Pathology
Term
since 2020
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 433194101
Vascular striping, induced by the fungal pathogen Verticillium longisporum in Brassicaceae, is a disease that is gaining importance in northern Europe. The pathogenesis and defense mechanisms of this disease are not well understood, primarily because the fungus enters through the roots and lives hidden in the xylem. This project aims to investigate the role and transport mechanism of extracellular RNAs (exRNAs) in the interaction between the ascomycete fungus Verticillium longisporum (Vl) and the crop plant Brassica napus. This pathosystem allows us to examine the plant apoplast and vasculature as the battlegrounds between the host and the fungus. The project addresses three main questions: (a) how does exRNA exchange between the pathogenic fungus and the plant host contribute to the infection process, (b) how can exRNAs and RNA-RNA-binding protein (RBP) complexes be targeted and exchanged between hosts and pathogens, and (c) what are the functions of exRNAs in host cells? During the first funding period, we successfully characterized extracellular vesicle (EV)-associated proteins and RNAs from fungal liquid cultures. Additionally, we demonstrated the phytotoxic effect of the EV fraction from V. longisporum in B. napus. In the second funding period, our project aims to further investigate the mechanism of exRNA transport from the fungus to the plant, confirm RNA transfer, and study the effects on host cells. During the first funding period it became clear that cleaner EVs would benefit the inventory analyses. Therefore, in the second funding period, we will use our biochemical expertise to sub-fractionate EVs from the culture, establish Vl EV markers, characterize the EV-associated fraction of Vl-infected plants, confirm RNA transfer to plant cells, and decipher the functions of candidate RNAs and RNA-binding proteins (RBPs). By combining insights from the other projects in the RU5116 consortium, the knowledge gained from this project can be translated into innovative RNA-based plant protection strategies in the future.
DFG Programme
Research Units
