Journal article

Publication year: 2022

Pages: 703-728

Journal: Annual Review of Plant Biology

Volume number: 73

ISSN: 1543-5008

eISSN: 1545-2123

Open access status: Bronze

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-arplant-102820-020542

Publisher: Annual Reviews

Abstract: 

Virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) has developed into an indispensable approach to gene function analysis in a wide array of species, many of which are not amenable to stable genetic transformation. VIGS utilizes the posttranscriptional gene silencing (PTGS) machinery of plants to restrain viral infections systemically and is used to downregulate the plant's endogenous genes. Here, we review the molecular mechanisms of DNA- and RNA-virus-based VIGS, its inherent connection to PTGS, and what is known about the systemic spread of silencing. Recently, VIGS-based technologies have been expanded to enable not only gene silencing but also overexpression [virus-induced overexpression (VOX)], genome editing [virus-induced genome editing (VIGE)], and host-induced gene silencing (HIGS). These techniques expand the genetic toolbox for nonmodel organisms even more. Further, we illustrate the versatility of VIGS and the methods derived from it in elucidating molecular mechanisms, using tomato fruit ripening and programmed cell death as examples. Finally, we discuss challenges of and future perspectives on the use of VIGS to advance gene function analysis in nonmodel plants in the postgenomic era.

Harvard Citation style: Rössner, C., Lotz, D. and Becker, A. (2022) VIGS Goes Viral: How VIGS Transforms Our Understanding of Plant Science, Annual Review of Plant Biology, 73, pp. 703-728. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-arplant-102820-020542

APA Citation style: Rössner, C., Lotz, D., & Becker, A. (2022). VIGS Goes Viral: How VIGS Transforms Our Understanding of Plant Science. Annual Review of Plant Biology. 73, 703-728. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-arplant-102820-020542