Participation of non-coding RNAs in plant organelle biogenesis

The biogenesis of plant mitochondria and plastids is a multistep process that depends on the expression of both, organellar and nuclear genes. A growing body of evidence suggests that the indispensable coordination of different steps in this process may be gained by participation of the non-coding RNAs. A plethora of non-coding RNAs of diverse length, both intraorganellar ones, as well as encoded by the nuclear genome (including microRNAs and short interfering RNAs), were also suggested to play a role in the stress response by regulating the expression levels of targeted genes important for organelle biogenesis. Selected points of current interest regarding the regulation of plant mitochondrial and plastid gene expression by diverse non-coding RNAs, also discussed in the aspect of abiotic stress conditions, are highlighted here.