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RNA silencing is an evolutionarily conserved, homology-dependent gene inactivation mechanism that plays a vital role in plant immune responses. To overcome this defense, viruses have evolved specific viral suppressor proteins (VSRs) that counteract host silencing pathways. These VSRs play a crucial role in the molecular arms race between host and pathogen. VSRs disrupt host antiviral RNA silencing by targeting essential components of the silencing machinery or by mimicking host cellular proteins. They interfere with diverse processes, including the biogenesis of small interfering RNAs (siRNA), sequestration of host RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) and suppression of host-mediated DNA methylation. Well-characterized examples include cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) 2b, potato virus S (PSV) 2b, and plum pox virus (PPV) HC-Pro, which serve as models for understanding silencing suppression. A variety of assays, such as transient expression, reversal of silencing, and stable expression systems, have been instrumental in identifying and characterizing VSR activity. Insights from mechanistic studies of VSRs deepen our understanding of complex plant-virus interactions and suggest strategies for durable viral disease management. Exploiting RNA silencing pathways and targeting host–VSR interfaces represent promising approaches for breeding virus-resistant fruit crop varieties. In this review, we highlight the antiviral silencing strategies employed by fruit crops and explore the molecular functions of their associated VSRs.

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Viral Suppressors of RNA Silencing in Fruit Crops

  • 章节

  • 发表日期：

    2026年

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  • Jothishri Chidambaram,
  • J. Vinodhini,
  • Y. Durga,
  • Fhilmar Raj Jayaraj Mallika,
  • Nagendran Krishnan,
  • R. Selvarajan

摘要

RNA silencing is an evolutionarily conserved, homology-dependent gene inactivation mechanism that plays a vital role in plant immune responses. To overcome this defense, viruses have evolved specific viral suppressor proteins (VSRs) that counteract host silencing pathways. These VSRs play a crucial role in the molecular arms race between host and pathogen. VSRs disrupt host antiviral RNA silencing by targeting essential components of the silencing machinery or by mimicking host cellular proteins. They interfere with diverse processes, including the biogenesis of small interfering RNAs (siRNA), sequestration of host RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) and suppression of host-mediated DNA methylation. Well-characterized examples include cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) 2b, potato virus S (PSV) 2b, and plum pox virus (PPV) HC-Pro, which serve as models for understanding silencing suppression. A variety of assays, such as transient expression, reversal of silencing, and stable expression systems, have been instrumental in identifying and characterizing VSR activity. Insights from mechanistic studies of VSRs deepen our understanding of complex plant-virus interactions and suggest strategies for durable viral disease management. Exploiting RNA silencing pathways and targeting host–VSR interfaces represent promising approaches for breeding virus-resistant fruit crop varieties. In this review, we highlight the antiviral silencing strategies employed by fruit crops and explore the molecular functions of their associated VSRs.