Document Type : Review article
Author
College of Agriculture and Natural Resources University of Tehran
Abstract
Host-induced gene silencing (HIGS) is a process in which host plant cells can suppress the expression of genes in pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, or pests. HIGS is a type of RNA interference (RNAi) used by eukaryotic cells to regulate gene expression and defend against pathogens. Plant pathogenic fungi are a major threat to global food security and represent one of the largest groups of crop pathogens. Therefore, HIGS has attracted attention due to its potential applications in crop protection and disease management. Understanding the fundamental mechanisms of HIGS is essential to fully exploit its potential and develop effective applications in agriculture and biotechnology. In this study, we discuss the definition of HIGS, key aspects of RNA silencing mechanisms, strategies for using RNA silencing to study fungal pathogenicity, and the development of fungal resistance through expression of silencing constructs in host plants as a powerful disease control strategy. We also highlight recent findings on the use of HIGS as a tool for engineering disease resistance and describe the SIGS method as an approach to study HIGS mechanisms.
Keywords
- Host-induced gene silencing (HIGS)
- RNA interference (RNAi)
- Fungal pathogens
- Plant resistance
- Disease control
Main Subjects
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