# Deficiency of multiple RNA silencing-associated genes may contribute to the increased susceptibility of Nicotiana benthamiana to viruses

## TL;DR

This paper suggests that missing certain genes related to RNA silencing makes the plant Nicotiana benthamiana more vulnerable to viruses.

## Contribution

The study identifies multiple RNA silencing-associated gene deficiencies as a novel factor in viral susceptibility in Nicotiana benthamiana.

## Key findings

- Loss of several RNA silencing-associated genes contributes to hypersusceptibility to viruses.
- RDR1-deficiency is not the sole factor in increased viral susceptibility in Nicotiana benthamiana.

## Abstract

Recently published high-quality reference genome assemblies indicate that, in addition to RDR1-deficiency, the loss of several key RNA silencing-associated genes may contribute to the hypersusceptibility of Nicotiana benthamiana to viruses.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00299-024-03262-3.