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MicroRNAs in Plants Development and Stress Resistance
Xi Zhao1, Jia Yang1, Haiyan Wang1
1State Key Laboratory of Plant Environmental Resilience, Engineering Research Center of Plant Growth Regulator, Ministry of Education & College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.
Plant, Cell & Environment
|April 21, 2025
Summary
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulators of plant development and stress responses. Further research using artificial miRNAs and mimics can enhance crop yield and sustainability.
Area of Science:
- Plant Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Plant growth and development follow timed ontogenetic programs.
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short noncoding RNAs regulating gene expression post-transcriptionally.
- miRNAs are crucial for plant agronomic traits and stress adaptation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the regulatory roles of miRNAs in plant development and stress resistance.
- To explore novel miRNA applications for crop improvement.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of miRNA functions in plants.
- Analysis of miRNA targeting of transcription factors (TFs).
- Discussion of artificial miRNA (amiRNA) and short tandem target mimics (STTM) applications.
Main Results:
- miRNAs regulate plant structure (root, stem, leaf, sex determination, nutrient transition).
- miRNAs mediate adaptation to various biotic and abiotic stresses (fungi, drought, salinity, temperature extremes, heavy metals).
Conclusions:
- miRNAs are essential regulators of plant development and stress tolerance.
- Novel miRNAs can be studied using amiRNA or STTM technologies.
- In vitro miRNA delivery holds potential for improving crop yield and agricultural sustainability.
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