A REVIEW TO COMPREHEND THE APPLICATION OF GENE SILENCING TECHNOLOGY TO OVERCOME CROP PRODUCTIVITY LOSSES

Background: Gene silencing represents an essential molecular mechanism by which plants regulate or suppress gene expression to combat viral infections. This process, occurring either at the transcriptional or post-transcriptional level, serves as a critical antiviral defense strategy, allowing plants to degrade or inhibit viral RNA. RNA-silencing pathways, including small interfering RNA (siRNA), microRNA (miRNA), and short hairpin RNA (shRNA) mechanisms, play pivotal roles in protecting plants against viral replication and in maintaining genome integrity. Objective: This review aims to comprehensively explore the molecular mechanisms, biological significance, and applications of gene silencing in plant antiviral defense, emphasizing the pathways involving siRNA, miRNA, and RNA-induced silencing complexes (RISC). Main Discussion Points: The review discusses transcriptional and post-transcriptional gene silencing mechanisms, focusing on how dicer enzymes, Argonaute proteins, and RISC complexes mediate RNA degradation. It highlights the differentiation between siRNA and miRNA pathways and their distinct yet complementary roles in regulating viral gene expression. Additionally, the role of RNA-directed DNA methylation (RdDM) in suppressing DNA viruses is explored, alongside the importance of gene silencing in developing virus-resistant crops through RNA interference technology. Conclusion: Gene silencing constitutes a highly adaptive and conserved defense mechanism in plants, providing an effective molecular barrier against viral pathogens. A deeper understanding of these pathways offers promising avenues for agricultural biotechnology, including the development of genetically engineered crops with enhanced viral resistance and improved yield stability.