Revitalizing miRNAs mediated agronomical advantageous traits improvement in rice

Area of Science:

• Plant Molecular Biology
• Agricultural Science
• Genetics and Genomics

Background:

• Crop improvement programs face challenges in introducing beneficial traits without negative trade-offs.
• Rice (Oryza sativa L.) requires multifaceted genetic enhancements to meet global food demands under climate change.
• MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are recognized as crucial regulators for fine-tuning crop traits and integrating with modern breeding technologies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present the latest functional understanding of miRNAs in rice for conventional and modern crop improvement.
• To explore miRNA biogenesis, signaling, artificial miRNAs (amiRNAs), and their integration with CRISPR-Cas9 technology.
• To highlight the application of miRNAs in improving rice agronomical traits, focusing on growth, development, and stress responses.

Main Methods:

• Review and synthesis of recent functional knowledge on rice miRNAs.
• Analysis of miRNA involvement in growth, development, biotic, and abiotic stress responses.
• Examination of specific miRNA families (e.g., miR156, miR396) and their roles in agronomical traits.
• Discussion on the integration of miRNAs with advanced technologies like genome editing (CRISPR-Cas9).

Main Results:

• A significant number of functionally characterized miRNAs primarily regulate rice growth and development.
• miRNAs also play crucial roles in mediating biotic and abiotic stress tolerance in rice.
• miRNA families 156 and 396 are highlighted as key modules orchestrating various advantageous agronomical traits.
• The study provides updated functional insights into supplemental miRNA modules that can enhance rice improvement.

Conclusions:

• MicroRNAs are essential tools for advancing rice breeding and ensuring future food security.
• Understanding miRNA functions, biogenesis, and interactions is critical for leveraging their potential in crop improvement.
• The integration of miRNAs with emerging technologies offers promising avenues for developing resilient and high-yielding rice varieties.