Modern methods of CRISPR/Cas genomic editing for modulation in plants aimed at viral diseases

Abstract

With the rapid growth of the world's population, food security has become a major concern, with more than 800 million people suffering from hunger and millions more at risk. World agriculture is constantly under an influence of various biotic and abiotic factors that limit productivity of agricultural crops. Pathogens, including fungi, bacteria, viruses, insects and parasitic plants, are severe biotic stresses that can cause severe crop losses. Molecular interactions between a virus and a plant are one of the main models in the understanding of antiviral defense systems and plant interference. The article discusses main classes of resistance genes, RNA interference and RNA-mediated adaptive immune system of bacteria and archaea - CRISPR/Cas. Recent studies indicate that the CRISPR/Cas system may play a significant role in conferring antiviral resistance to plants. The article aims to review recent advances in plant biotechnology that have potential practical applications in regulating virus-plant interactions.