Plant miRNAs and abiotic stress responses.
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous approximate 22 nucleotide (nt) small non-coding regulatory RNAs that play important roles in plants by targeting mRNAs for cleavage or translational repression. Plant miRNAs were described 10 years later than animal miRNAs did; there are some differences between them in terms of biogenesis and mechanism of function. Furthermore, plant miRNAs have been shown to be involved in various stress responses, such as oxidative, mineral nutrient deficiency, dehydration, and even mechanical stimulus. In this review, we focus on the current understanding of biogenesis and regulatory mechanisms of plant miRNAs. We also highlight specific examples of miRNAs, which are important regulators for plant abiotic stress responses.
Lu
Xiao-Yan
XY
The Key Laboratory of Gene Engineering of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Zhongshan (Sun Yat-Sen) University, Guangzhou 510275, PR China.
Huang
Xue-Lin
XL
D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant / Q000502:physiology*; D018869:Heat-Shock Response / Q000502:physiology*; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics*; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D010935:Plant Diseases / Q000235:genetics*; D018521:Plant Physiological Phenomena; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis / Q000502:physiology*
D035683:MicroRNAs; D010940:Plant Proteins