We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Engineered dsRNA-protein nanoparticles for effective long-distance transport, delivery and gene silencing in plants
Summary
Researchers showed that double-stranded RNA bound to cationized proteins forms nanoparticles that can travel long distances within plants to silence target genes. The study is focused on agricultural biotechnology and plant gene regulation and is not related to microplastic research.
Abstract Long-distance transport of exogenous biologically active RNA molecules in higher plants has not been reported. Here, we report that cationized bovine serum albumin (cBSA) avidly binds double-stranded beta-glucuronidase RNA (dsGUS RNA) to form nucleic acid-protein nanocomplexes. Using tobacco and poplar plants, we have shown effective uptake and long-distance transport of cBSA/dsGUS RNA nanocomplexes from basal ends of leaf petioles to leaf blades as well as from basal ends of shoots to their apexes and apical leaves. We have further demonstrated that the cBSA/dsGUS RNA nanocomplexes are highly effective in silencing both conditionally inducible DR5-GUS gene and constitutively active 35S-GUS gene in leaf, shoot and shoot meristem tissues. This cBSA/dsRNA delivery technology may provide a convenient, fast, and inexpensive tool for characterizing gene functions in plants, and potentially for in planta gene-editing.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Engineered dsRNA–protein nanoparticles for effective systemic gene silencing in plants
Researchers engineered protein-RNA nanoparticles that achieved systemic gene silencing in tobacco and poplar plants. The study demonstrated that cationized bovine serum albumin can bind double-stranded RNA to form nanocomplexes that travel long distances within plants, representing an advance in agricultural biotechnology rather than microplastic research.
PlantTrait Regulation Enabled by Nanoplastic NucleicAcid Carriers
Researchers used positively charged polystyrene nanoplastics to deliver small interfering RNA into tobacco leaf cells, demonstrating that nanoplastics can penetrate cell walls and function as nucleic acid carriers. The siRNA-nanoplastic complexes successfully silenced target genes, suggesting both a potential biotechnology tool and a mechanism by which nanoplastics could disrupt plant gene expression.
Plant Trait Regulation Enabled by Nanoplastic Nucleic Acid Carriers
Researchers discovered that positively charged polystyrene nanoplastics can bind to small RNA molecules and carry them into plant cells, effectively acting as gene delivery vehicles. They demonstrated that these nanoplastic-RNA complexes could silence specific genes in plants, altering visible traits like leaf color. The study reveals an unexpected biological mechanism by which nanoplastics could influence plant gene expression in the environment.
Construction and application of star polycation nanocarrier-based microRNA delivery system in Arabidopsis and maize
Researchers developed the first star-shaped polymer nanocarrier system capable of delivering microRNA — small genetic regulators — into plant cells, successfully testing it in Arabidopsis and maize. This nanoparticle-based delivery platform opens a new avenue for precise genetic modification in crops without traditional transformation methods.
Form and Function: The Factors That Influence the Efficacy of Nanomaterials for Gene Transfer to Plants
This review discusses using nanoparticles to deliver genes into plant cells for crop improvement, covering factors like particle size, cell wall barriers, and potential toxicity concerns. While focused on agricultural biotechnology rather than microplastics directly, it highlights how nanoscale particles interact with plant biology. Understanding how tiny particles enter and affect plant cells is relevant to research on how nanoplastics may similarly penetrate food crops.