miRNA Mediated Regulation and Interaction between Plants and Pathogens.
Xiaoqian Yang1,2,3, Lichun Zhang1,2,3, Yuzhang Yang1,2,3
1Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Tree Breeding by Molecular Design, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|April 3, 2021
Summary
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulators in plant defense against pathogens, modulating gene expression and hormone signals. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) further regulate miRNA activity, offering potential for breeding disease-resistant crops.
Area of Science:
- Plant molecular biology
- Plant pathology
- Genetics
Background:
- Plants possess sophisticated molecular defenses against pathogens.
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are critical regulators of plant-pathogen interactions.
- Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) act as competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) modulating miRNA activity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the roles of miRNAs in plant defense mechanisms.
- To highlight the regulatory functions of miRNAs and lncRNAs in plant-pathogen interactions.
- To discuss the application of miRNAs in breeding pathogen-resistant plants.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent findings on miRNA and lncRNA roles in plant immunity.
- Analysis of miRNA-mediated gene regulation in plant defense pathways.
- Examination of lncRNA-miRNA interactions (ceRNA networks).
Main Results:
- miRNAs regulate key defense components including phytohormone signaling, reactive oxygen species production, and NBS-LRR gene expression.
- lncRNAs act as decoys, sequestering miRNAs and influencing their regulatory targets.
- These interactions are central to the host-pathogen 'arms race'.
Conclusions:
- miRNAs are integral to plant immune responses and the co-evolutionary struggle with pathogens.
- Understanding miRNA and lncRNA interplay provides avenues for developing crops with enhanced disease resistance.
- Targeting these regulatory networks holds promise for agricultural biotechnology.
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