Viroid Pathogenicity: One Process, Many Faces
2009
Understanding Viroid Pathogenicity
publication
Evidence: moderate
Author Information
Author(s): Owens Robert A., Hammond Rosemarie W.
Primary Institution: Molecular Plant Pathology Laboratory, USDA/ARS, Beltsville, MD, USA
Hypothesis
How do viroids induce disease in plants despite their non-coding RNA genomes?
Conclusion
Viroid pathogenicity is influenced by small RNAs and complex host responses involving signaling pathways.
Supporting Evidence
- Viroid infection leads to visible symptoms similar to those caused by plant viruses.
- Host responses to viroid infection involve complex signaling pathways.
- Small RNAs derived from viroids play a key role in their pathogenicity.
Takeaway
Viroids are tiny RNA molecules that can make plants sick by messing with their normal functions, even though they don't code for proteins like other viruses.
Methodology
The review synthesizes findings from various studies on viroid-host interactions and pathogenicity mechanisms.
Limitations
The review highlights that many hypotheses about viroid pathogenicity remain untested.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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