title: Functions of microRNA in seed development, dormancy and germination processes.
abstract: In plants, microRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of non-coding small RNAs that play important roles in various biological processes, such as seed development, dormancy and germination. In these stages, seeds are regulated by various extrinsic environmental factors and intrinsic hormones. Different species of seeds have distinct development and dormancy characteristics. Recent investigations have identified more and more miRNAs to regulate seed morphogenesis, material metabolism and stress response capacities through hormonal signal transduction, antioxidant effects and transcription factors, etc. In this review, we summarize recent progresses on regulatory mechanisms of miRNAs, and also complex multilevel regulation of miRNAs in the process of seed development, dormancy and germination. We hope to provide insights into further research.
authors.affiliation: College of Forestry, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China.
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.affiliation: College of Forestry, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China.
authors.forename: Xiu-jun
authors.initials: XJ
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.affiliation: College of Forestry, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China.
authors.forename: Xiao-lin
authors.initials: XL
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: College of Horticulture, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China.
authors.forename: Mei
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mei
authors.affiliation: College of Forestry, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China.
authors.forename: Xiao-li
authors.initials: XL
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D004777:Environment; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant / Q000235:genetics; D018525:Germination / Q000235:genetics*; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics*; D010937:Plant Growth Regulators / Q000235:genetics; D012639:Seeds / Q000254:growth & development*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D035683:MicroRNAs; D010937:Plant Growth Regulators; D014157:Transcription Factors