The prospects of targeting messenger RNA surveillance factor PELOTA for developing virus resistance in plants

TL;DR

This paper reviews how the PELOTA protein, which helps manage faulty mRNAs, could be targeted to improve virus resistance in plants, but warns of potential developmental risks.

Contribution

The paper provides a critical review of PELOTA's dual role in plant virus resistance and development, highlighting its potential and limitations for crop engineering.

Findings

PELOTA has allelic variants that can confer resistance or susceptibility to plant viruses.

Disruption of PELOTA activity can impair plant growth and development.

Targeting PELOTA for virus resistance requires balancing benefits and risks.

Abstract

The mRNA-surveillance factor, PELOTA is essential for maintaining translation fidelity and facilitating the degradation of faulty mRNAs. Initially recognized for its role in ribosome rescue and RNA quality control in eukaryotic cells, PELOTA has recently garnered attention for its diverse functions in plant biology as well as in plant-virus interactions. Numerous studies suggest that the PELOTA protein plays a distinctive role in determining either susceptibility or resistance to various plant pathogens, including viruses. Interestingly, PELOTA exhibits a dual function: while certain allelic variants confer resistance or susceptibility to diverse plant viruses, complete or severe disruption of its activity impairs fundamental processes of plant growth and development. In this review, we synthesize current knowledge of PELOTA-mediated mRNA surveillance across eukaryotes, critically examine its emerging role in shaping plant–virus dynamics, and assess the deleterious developmental consequences of its mutation in plants. Although disruption of PELOTA can enhance resistance to various pathogens, including viruses, it may also compromise RNA quality control and normal plant development. Thus, a thorough evaluation is essential before targeting PELOTA for engineering durable disease resistance in crops.

PELOTA maintains translational fidelity and ribosomal rescue. Although PELOTA manipulation can confer viral resistance, its essential role in mRNA surveillance and plant development necessitates careful evaluation for crop engineering.

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