title: Small RNA mediated regulation of seed germination.
abstract: Mature seeds of most of the higher plants harbor dormant embryos and go through the complex process of germination under favorable environmental conditions. The germination process involves dynamic physiological, cellular and metabolic events that are controlled by the interplay of several gene products and different phytohormones. The small non-coding RNAs comprise key regulatory modules in the process of seed dormancy and germination. Recent studies have implicated the small RNAs in plant growth in correlation with various plant physiological processes including hormone signaling and stress response. In this review we provide a brief overview of the regulation of seed germination or dormancy while emphasizing on the current understanding of the role of small RNAs in this regard. We have also highlighted specific examples of stress responsive small RNAs in seed germination and discussed their future potential.
authors.affiliation: Plant Molecular Biology Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology , New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Shabari Sarkar
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Das
authors.affiliation: Department of Botany and Forestry, Vidyasagar University, Midnapore , West Bengal, India.
authors.forename: Prakash
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Karmakar
authors.affiliation: Department of Botany and Forestry, Vidyasagar University, Midnapore , West Bengal, India.
authors.forename: Asis Kumar
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Nandi
authors.affiliation: Plant Molecular Biology Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology , New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Neeti
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sanan-Mishra
keywords: miRNA; seed; seed dormancy; seed germination; small RNA; stress response