RNA communication in a mutualistic microbe-plant interaction: Molecular targets and biotechnological strategies for improved crop plant production

互惠共生和有益微生物是农业，特别是植物生产中的关键因素。特别是，阐明宿主-微生物相互作用中互利共生的分子机制以及有益微生物对作物植物的影响对于更有效和可持续的植物生产至关重要。我们的子项目研究sRNAs及其相应的靶标在草（二穗短柄草）和双子叶植物模型（拟南芥）与有益真菌梨形孢菌（学名：Piriformospora indica）的相互作用中的作用。Serendipita indica）。因此，我们试图提供一个更深入的了解跨界RNA通讯（ckRNAi）在互惠植物真菌协会。我们选择P. indica进行本研究是因为它具有前所未有的广泛宿主范围，定殖于RU 5116中使用的所有植物物种，不仅提高了宿主抗性，还提高了农艺产量。我们的宿主-微生物系统的生物学特性有机会澄清ckRNAi是否是（a）互惠真菌建立成功的有益相互作用（导致植物抗性和增加产量）和（B）植物宿主调节有益真菌定殖的策略。此外，通过根据RU 5116中产生的植物-病原体相互作用的数据解释我们的数据，我们将收集关于互利和病原相互作用中共同或不同的ckRNAi相关靶标和途径的信息，这是疾病控制的一个重要方面。追求上述策略将改变我们看待sRNA效应子及其在植物免疫和共生过程中植物发育中的靶标的方式。预期成果与分子、植物和微生物生物学的所有领域相关，并将为作物保护的新解决方案奠定知识基础。

Mutualistic symbioses and beneficial microbes are a key factor in agriculture and especially in plant production. In particular, elucidating the molecular mechanisms of mutualism in host-microbe interactions and the effects of beneficial microbes on crop plants is essential for more efficient and sustainable plant production. Our subproject investigates sRNAs and their corresponding targets in the interaction of a grass- (Brachypodium distachyon) and a dicot model (Arabidopsis thaliana) with the beneficial fungus Piriformospora indica (syn. Serendipita indica). Thus, we seek to provide a deeper understanding of cross-kingdom RNA communication (ckRNAi) in a mutualistic plant-fungus association. We choose P. indica for this study because it has an unprecedented broad hosts range, colonizes all plant species used in RU5116, and increases not only host resistance but also agronomic yield. The biological property of our host-microbe system bears the chance to clarify whether ckRNAi is a strategy (a) for a mutualistic fungus to establish a successful beneficial interaction (resulting in plant resistance and increase yield), and (b) for a plant host to regulate colonization by a beneficial fungus. Moreover, by interpreting our data in the light of data generated in RU5116 for plant - pathogen interactions, we will gather information on common or different ckRNAi-related targets and pathways in mutualistic and pathogenic interactions which is an important aspect when it comes to disease control. Pursuing the above-outlined strategy will transform the way we view sRNA effectors and their targets in plant immunity and plant development during symbiosis. Envisaged outcome is relevant to all areas of molecular, plant and microbial biology and will lay the knowledge foundation for novel solutions to crop protection.