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Plastid non-coding RNAs: emerging candidates for gene regulation
Amber M Hotto1, Arnaud Germain, David B Stern
1Boyce Thompson Institute for Plant Research, Tower Road, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
Trends in Plant Science
|September 18, 2012
Summary
Recent advances in transcriptomics enable detection of plastid non-coding RNAs (pncRNAs). These RNAs may play an underappreciated role in regulating plastid gene expression.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Bioinformatics
Background:
- Few plastid non-coding RNAs (pncRNAs) were previously identified or functionally characterized.
- Plastid transcription produces full-length transcripts from both DNA strands.
- Post-transcriptional processing generates diverse RNA species, including pncRNAs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the biogenesis and potential functions of pncRNAs.
- To highlight the underappreciated role of pncRNAs in plastid gene regulation.
Main Methods:
- Strand-specific RNA sequencing for high-throughput transcript detection.
- Bioinformatic analysis of transcriptomic data.
- Literature review of pncRNA biogenesis and function.
Main Results:
- Advances in transcriptomics allow comprehensive detection of low-abundance pncRNAs.
- Plastid transcription and processing yield a pool of metastable RNA species.
- pncRNAs are distinct RNA molecules produced during post-transcriptional processing.
Conclusions:
- pncRNAs represent a significant class of molecules within plastids.
- Further investigation into pncRNA functionality is warranted.
- pncRNAs may have a crucial, yet overlooked, role in plastid gene regulation.
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