Click here to edit
Plant-virus interactions
RNA silencing and antiviral resistance
Most eukaryotes encode Dicer-like proteins, which recognize dsRNA and process it into small fragments. These small RNAs in turn target homologous single-stranded RNA in a variety of ways, through the action of Argonaute proteins. These mechanisms, collectively referred to as RNA silencing or RNA interference (RNAi) regulate gene expression. At the same time, RNA silencing is used by plant cells as a defense against viruses by recognizing their dsRNA replication intermediates and targeting them for degradation and/or translational repression. Our research in this area is aimed at understanding how RNAi components in plants target virus RNA and how viruses, in turn, have evolved to inhibit RNAi mechanisms.
NLR proteins and antiviral signaling
A major component of the plant immune system is based on NLR proteins, which recognize specific proteins encoded by different types of plant pathogens, including bacteria and viruses. We have shown that upon induction of an NLR defense response that viral RNAs are subjected to translational repression. Although this repression is relatively specific to viral transcripts. We are currently investigating how plants recognize viral RNAs and subject them to translational control.
Novel antiviral mechanisms
In addition to the above-mentioned mechanisms, we are exploring other mechanisms by which plants recognize viral RNAs, control viral gene expression and/or virus replication and movement.
Manipulation of the plant-pathogen interface by bacterial effectors
Plants possess multiple mechanisms to detect and eliminate pathogens. At the same time, pathogens have evolved mechanisms to overcome these mechanisms, including the delivery of effector proteins into plant cells. This includes bacterial type three secretion system (T3SS) proteins, many of which have been shown to interfere with the plant immune system. In addition, bacteria residing the plant apoplast must induce the creation an environment suitable for their growth. This includes the induction an aqueous environment and the extraction of nutrients from their hosts. We are studying how T3SS effectors induce such conditions through the manipulation of host processes, including phytohormone signaling. We investigate how plants mount defense responses by inducing conditions in which water and nutrients are removed from the apoplast, thereby restricting pathogen growth.
RNA silencing and antiviral resistance
Most eukaryotes encode Dicer-like proteins, which recognize dsRNA and process it into small fragments. These small RNAs in turn target homologous single-stranded RNA in a variety of ways, through the action of Argonaute proteins. These mechanisms, collectively referred to as RNA silencing or RNA interference (RNAi) regulate gene expression. At the same time, RNA silencing is used by plant cells as a defense against viruses by recognizing their dsRNA replication intermediates and targeting them for degradation and/or translational repression. Our research in this area is aimed at understanding how RNAi components in plants target virus RNA and how viruses, in turn, have evolved to inhibit RNAi mechanisms.
NLR proteins and antiviral signaling
A major component of the plant immune system is based on NLR proteins, which recognize specific proteins encoded by different types of plant pathogens, including bacteria and viruses. We have shown that upon induction of an NLR defense response that viral RNAs are subjected to translational repression. Although this repression is relatively specific to viral transcripts. We are currently investigating how plants recognize viral RNAs and subject them to translational control.
Novel antiviral mechanisms
In addition to the above-mentioned mechanisms, we are exploring other mechanisms by which plants recognize viral RNAs, control viral gene expression and/or virus replication and movement.
Manipulation of the plant-pathogen interface by bacterial effectors
Plants possess multiple mechanisms to detect and eliminate pathogens. At the same time, pathogens have evolved mechanisms to overcome these mechanisms, including the delivery of effector proteins into plant cells. This includes bacterial type three secretion system (T3SS) proteins, many of which have been shown to interfere with the plant immune system. In addition, bacteria residing the plant apoplast must induce the creation an environment suitable for their growth. This includes the induction an aqueous environment and the extraction of nutrients from their hosts. We are studying how T3SS effectors induce such conditions through the manipulation of host processes, including phytohormone signaling. We investigate how plants mount defense responses by inducing conditions in which water and nutrients are removed from the apoplast, thereby restricting pathogen growth.
