title: Self-DNA inhibitory effects: Underlying mechanisms and ecological implications.
abstract: DNA is usually known as the molecule that carries the instructions necessary for cell functioning and genetic inheritance. A recent discovery reported a new functional role for extracellular DNA. After fragmentation, either by natural or artificial decomposition, small DNA molecules (between ∼50 and ∼2000 bp) exert a species specific inhibitory effect on individuals of the same species. Evidence shows that such effect occurs for a wide range of organisms, suggesting a general biological process. In this paper we explore the possible molecular mechanisms behind those findings and discuss the ecological implications, specifically those related to plant species coexistence.
authors.affiliation: a Dipartimento di Agraria , University of Naples Federico II , via Università 100, Portici ( NA ), Italy.
authors.forename: Fabrizio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cartenì
authors.affiliation: a Dipartimento di Agraria , University of Naples Federico II , via Università 100, Portici ( NA ), Italy.
authors.forename: Giuliano
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bonanomi
authors.affiliation: a Dipartimento di Agraria , University of Naples Federico II , via Università 100, Portici ( NA ), Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Giannino
authors.affiliation: a Dipartimento di Agraria , University of Naples Federico II , via Università 100, Portici ( NA ), Italy.
authors.forename: Guido
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Incerti
authors.affiliation: b Department of Social Informatics , Kyoto University , Yoshida-Honmachi, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto , Japan.
authors.forename: Christian Ernest
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Vincenot
authors.affiliation: a Dipartimento di Agraria , University of Naples Federico II , via Università 100, Portici ( NA ), Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Luisa
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Chiusano
authors.affiliation: a Dipartimento di Agraria , University of Naples Federico II , via Università 100, Portici ( NA ), Italy.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mazzoleni
mesh_terms: D018744:DNA, Plant / Q000378:metabolism*; D017753:Ecosystem; D005246:Feedback; D010944:Plants / Q000378:metabolism; D012987:Soil
chemical_list: D018744:DNA, Plant; D012987:Soil
keywords: Autotoxicity; extracellular DNA; litter decomposition; plant-soil negative feedback; species interactions