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Updated: Jun 3, 2026
06:16
mirMachine: A One-Stop Shop for Plant miRNA Annotation
Published on: May 1, 2021
MicroRNA networks and developmental plasticity in plants
Ignacio Rubio-Somoza1, Detlef Weigel
1Department of Molecular Biology, Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology, Spemannstrasse 37-39, 72076 Tübingen, Germany. Ignacio.rubio@tuebingen.mpg.de
Trends in Plant Science
|April 7, 2011
Summary
Plant microRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression for developmental plasticity. Their evolution and network interactions drive plant diversity and offer biotechnology potential.
Area of Science:
- Plant molecular biology
- Developmental genetics
- Evolutionary biology
Background:
- Plant microRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulators of gene expression.
- miRNAs operate within complex regulatory networks.
- Evolutionary modifications of miRNA targets contribute to plant diversity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the role of miRNA-target networks in plant development.
- To discuss the interactions between miRNAs and their targets.
- To highlight the biotechnological potential of plant miRNAs.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and synthesis.
- Analysis of miRNA-target interactions.
- Discussion of developmental traits controlled by miRNAs.
Main Results:
- miRNA-target nodes are organized into networks.
- These networks control various developmental traits.
- miRNA interactions are crucial for developmental plasticity.
Conclusions:
- miRNA networks are central to plant developmental plasticity.
- Evolutionary changes in miRNA targets drive morphological and physiological diversity.
- The quantitative action of miRNAs makes them valuable targets for biotechnology.
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