cross-kingdom-regulation
Cross-kingdom regulation refers to the transfer of regulatory molecules, such as small RNAs and proteins, between organisms from different biological kingdoms — for example, between plants and fungi, bacteria, or animals — that influence gene expression in the recipient organism. This phenomenon has profound implications for plant science, as it reveals how plants can both receive and send molecular signals across species boundaries, shaping immune responses, pathogen interactions, and symbiotic relationships. Understanding these cross-kingdom communication networks opens new avenues for engineering disease resistance and manipulating plant-microbe interactions in agriculture.
PubMed · 2026-03-26
Tiny molecular messengers called microRNAs found in traditional Chinese medicinal herbs can survive digestion, enter human blood, and potentially influence how our genes work — suggesting that the plants we consume may communicate with our bodies at a molecular level.
Two specific plant microRNAs — miR2916-p5 and miR6478 — were identified in traditional Chinese medicinal herbs and are the focus of cross-kingdom regulatory study.
Plant-derived microRNAs can survive mammalian gastrointestinal digestion, enter the bloodstream, and reach target tissues in the body.
The composition, types, and functions of microRNAs in traditional Chinese medicinal herbs remain poorly characterized, representing a significant research gap.