nature.com·May 20, 2026
A study reveals that a long non-coding RNA from the fungus Magnaporthe oryzae can enter rice cells to bind a host microRNA that typically inhibits the immune regulator PKR1, promoting infection and highlighting a common RNA-based interaction mechanism between pathogens and hosts.
This study uncovers a novel RNA-based mechanism where a fungal long non-coding RNA from Magnaporthe oryzae infiltrates rice cells to manipulate host microRNA and suppress immune responses, suggesting a potential target for developing disease-resistant crops. This discovery could inspire new research directions in plant pathology and RNA-mediated host-pathogen interactions.