Engineered nanocomplexes achieve systemic gene silencing in crops

Gene silencing in plants has faced significant challenges, primarily due to the difficulty of transporting RNA molecules across plant cell membranes and achieving systemic effects.

Traditional genetic engineering methods are time-consuming and often limited by plant genotype. Due to these challenges, there is a pressing need for innovative solutions to facilitate efficient gene silencing and enhance crop productivity.

Researchers from the University of Connecticut and Oak Ridge National Laboratory have developed an innovative method using cationized bovine serum albumin (cBSA) and double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) nanocomplexes to achieve effective systemic gene silencing in plants.

The study presents the development of cBSA/dsRNA nanocomplexes for systemic gene silencing in tobacco and poplar plants. By modifying bovine serum albumin to carry a positive charge, researchers created nanocomplexes that bind dsRNA molecules, facilitating their transport and systemic gene silencing.

Experiments demonstrated successful silencing of the DR5-GUS and 35S-GUS genes, achieving significant reductions in gene expression. This technology proved effective in delivering RNA molecules across plant cell membranes, overcoming the negative charge barrier of naked RNA applications.

Image source: Sun et al., (2024), Horticulture Research.