Gene silencing in plants

Here, the role of small RNAs is described in (i) cytoplasmic viral RNA silencing; (ii) cellular mRNA silencing via miPHK production. The role of cellular factors such as Dicers, Argonautes, RNA-dependent RNA-polymerase, RNA-polymerase IV and pectin methylesterase are discussed in details. Moreover, silencing suppression by viral proteins/RNAs and silencing as an approach of biotechnology are reviewed.