cross-kingdom-rna
Cross-kingdom RNA refers to small RNA molecules that are transferred between organisms of different biological kingdoms, such as from fungi or bacteria into plant cells or vice versa, where they can regulate gene expression in the recipient organism. This phenomenon has significant implications for plant science as it reveals a molecular communication channel through which pathogens, symbionts, and hosts can silence each other's genes, influencing disease resistance, symbiosis, and plant immunity. Understanding these RNA signals opens new avenues for developing RNA-based biocontrols and engineering crops with enhanced resistance to pests and pathogens.
PubMed · 2026-03-26
Researchers identified specific microRNAs from traditional Chinese medicinal herbs that can travel from plants into the human body after ingestion, potentially influencing human gene activity. This cross-kingdom communication suggests that plant-based medicines may work partly through small RNA molecules that directly regulate human biology.
miR2916-p5 and miR6478 were identified as plant-derived microRNAs capable of cross-kingdom regulation in mammals
Plant miRNAs can survive mammalian digestion, enter the bloodstream, and reach target tissues after oral consumption
Traditional Chinese medicinal herbs contain specific miRNA profiles whose composition and functions were previously uncharacterized