Non-conserved microRNAs and their roles in plants: the case for legumes

Several classes of small RNAs function to regulate stress and development pathways in all kingdoms of life. In animals and plants, microRNAs have been widely studied as important regulators of gene expression. However, non-conserved microRNAs have proven more difficult to study, raising questions as to their functionality. Using the legume family of plants as reference, we discuss this concept and provide examples where miRNAs functions have been described, highlighting their potential role in regulating important processes in these plants, such as stress responses and communication with other organisms, including bacteria and fungi. These examples suggest that non-conserved miRNAs are likely to contribute to more gene regulation circuits than currently appreciated, and in a wider range of plant species.