The roles of small RNAs in rice-brown planthopper interactions

Abstract

Interactions between rice plants (Oryza sativa L.) and brown planthoppers (Nilaparvata lugens Stål, BPHs) are used as a model system to study the molecular mechanisms underlying plant-insect interactions. Small RNAs (sRNAs) regulate growth, development, immunity, and environmental responses in eukaryotic organisms, including plants and insects. Recent research suggests that sRNAs play significant roles in rice-BPH interactions by mediating post-transcriptional gene silencing. The focus of this review is to explore the roles of sRNAs in rice-BPH interactions and to highlight recent research progress in unraveling the mechanism of cross-kingdom RNA interference (ckRNAi) between host plants and insects and the application of ckRNAi in pest management of crops including rice. The research summarized here will aid in the development of safe and effective BPH control strategies.

Combined miRNA and mRNA sequencing reveals the defensive strategies of resistant YHY15 rice against differentially virulent brown planthoppers

“…In plants, including rice, phytohormone signaling is widely known to be involved in insect defense and resistance ( Liu et al., 2016 ; Jing et al., 2023 ; Liu Q. et al, 2021 ). Among phytohormones, JA is critical to the regulation of plant defenses against insect herbivores ( Thaler et al., 2012 ; Howe et al., 2018 ).…”

“…In plants, miRNAs are involved in various processes such as phytohormone signaling; abiotic and biotic stress response ( Zhang et al., 2013 , 2016 ; Li et al., 2017 ; Natarajan et al., 2018 ; Salvador-Guirao et al., 2018 ; Zhang et al., 2018 ; Liu X. et al, 2021 ); and leaf, flower, shoot, root, and vascular tissue development ( Marin et al., 2010 ; Peng et al., 2014 ; Mangrauthia et al., 2017 ). However, only a few miRNAs have been found to play roles in the insect-plant interaction ( Jing et al., 2023 ). For example, in an investigation of resistant and susceptible rice varieties, the BPH-responsive miRNAs miR156 and miR396 were found to negatively regulate BPH resistance by regulating JA and flavonoid biosynthesis, respectively ( Wu et al., 2017 ; Ge et al., 2018 ; Dai et al., 2019 ).…”