RNA elements and their biotechnological applications in plants

Area of Science:

• Plant Biotechnology
• Molecular Biology
• RNA Biology

Background:

• RNA regulatory elements, including cis- and trans-acting factors, are crucial for engineering plants with improved traits and efficient heterologous protein production.
• The functionality of these RNA elements is dictated by both their nucleotide sequence and their dynamic higher-order structures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review RNA regulatory elements with current or potential applications in plant biotechnology.
• To discuss RNA elements involved in translational control, transcript stability, protein coproduction, conditional expression, RNA decay, and cap-independent initiation.
• To highlight RNA elements applicable in both in planta (transiently/stably transformed plants) and in vitro plant-based expression systems, as well as those relevant to plastid gene expression.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of established and emerging RNA regulatory elements.
• Analysis of RNA element function based on sequence and higher-order structure.
• Categorization of RNA elements by their roles in gene expression and biotechnology applications.

Main Results:

• Identified diverse RNA elements controlling translation, stability, and expression in plants.
• Highlighted applications in transformed plants and in vitro systems, including plastid gene expression.
• Examined RNA elements with potential future applications, drawing from other organisms and areas needing further research.

Conclusions:

• RNA regulatory elements are versatile tools for advancing plant biotechnology.
• Further research into RNA structure-function relationships will unlock new applications in crop improvement and biomanufacturing.
• Strategic engineering of RNA elements offers significant potential for optimizing plant gene expression and function.