[Progress in circular RNAs of plants].

Area of Science:

• Plant molecular biology
• Genomics
• RNA biology

Background:

• Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are novel RNA molecules with diverse regulatory roles.
• Their widespread expression in plants has been revealed by next-generation RNA sequencing.
• circRNAs are involved in various plant biological processes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current knowledge on plant circRNAs.
• To compare plant circRNAs with their animal counterparts.
• To provide insights for future research on plant circRNAs.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of recent studies on plant circRNAs.
• Analysis of next-generation RNA sequencing data.
• Comparison of circRNA biogenesis and function in plants and animals.

Main Results:

• circRNAs are widely expressed in plants and exhibit cell type- and tissue-specific patterns.
• They play roles in floral development, fruit ripening, and stress responses.
• circRNAs can function as miRNA sponges, affect splicing, and bind proteins.

Conclusions:

• Plant circRNAs are important regulators of gene expression and development.
• Further research is needed to fully elucidate their functions.
• This review highlights key areas for future investigation in plant circRNA biology.