Ca2+ kickstarts antiviral RNAi

RNAi is a major plant antiviral strategy. However, the mechanisms triggering RNAi are unknown. In this issue of Cell Host & Microbe, Wang et al. (2021) demonstrate that wound-induced calcium signaling induces RNAi activation. As a counter-defense, a viral suppressor of RNAi (VSR) interferes with players in calcium signaling.

Automated summary

RNAi is an important plant antiviral strategy and its activation is triggered by wound-induced calcium signaling, as demonstrated by Wang et al. (2021) in Cell Host & Microbe. However, viral suppressors of RNAi interfere with calcium signaling components as a counter-defense mechanism.