A Timely Review of Cross-Kingdom Regulation of Plant-Derived MicroRNAs

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) belong to a class of non-coding RNAs that suppress gene expression by complementary oligonucleotide binding to the sites in target messenger RNAs. Numerous studies have demonstrated that miRNAs play crucial role in virtually all cellular processes of both plants and animals, such as cell growth, cell division, differentiation, proliferation and apoptosis. The study of rice MIR168a has demonstrated for the first time that exogenous plant MIR168a influences cholesterol transport in mice by inhibiting low-density lipoprotein receptor adapter protein 1 expression. Inspired by this finding, the cross-kingdom regulation of plant-derived miRNAs has drawn a lot of attention because of its capability to provide novel therapeutic agents in the treatment of miRNA deregulation-related diseases. Notably, unlike mRNA, some plant miRNAs are robust because of their 3′ end modification, high G, C content, and the protection by microvesicles, miRNAs protein cofactors or plant ingredients. The stability of these small molecules guarantees the reliability of plant miRNAs in clinical application. Although the function of endogenous miRNAs has been widely investigated, the cross-kingdom regulation of plant-derived miRNAs is still in its infancy. Herein, this review summarizes the current knowledge regarding the anti-virus, anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptosis, immune modulation, and intestinal function regulation effects of plant-derived miRNAs in mammals. It is expected that exploring the versatile role of plant-derived miRNAs may lay the foundation for further study and application of these newly recognized, non-toxic, and inexpensive plant active ingredients.

Unveiling the nature's fruit basket to computationally identify Citrus sinensis csi-mir169–3p as a probable plant miRNA against Reference and Omicron SARS-CoV-2 genome

“…According to recent review report, screening of conserved plant miRNAs against the hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) viruses revealed six HCV gene sequences that are likely to be targeted by miR-156, miR-157, miR-166, miR-172, and miR-390. Whilst five conserved plant miRNAs: miR-166, miR-169, miR-172, miR-390, and miR-399 that were very likely to align and interact onto the six HBV gene sequences [ 19 ]. A report from our study group also revealed a cross-species interaction of plant miRNAs belonging to the family of miR477 ubiquitously found in all three medicinal plant genomes of O. tenuiflorum , P. nigrum and Z. officinale to pinpoint a plausible role of plant derived dietary miRNAs to mediate viral mRNA silencing and provide antiviral defence against SARS-CoV-2 infection [ 23 ].…”

“…The ingested plant miRNAs remain unaffected by stomach acidification and transit through the gastrointestinal system, enter the bloodstream to reach tissues, for regulating a particular gene expression in mammals and are found to be excreted in urine [ 14 , 18 ]. The proactive influence of plant miRNA is not just reduced with being an anti-viral, but it's also proven to initiate anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer as well as immuno-regulatory affects upon regular consumption of the plant/herb decoction [ 19 ].…”

Small RNA sequencing and identification of papaya (Carica papaya L.) miRNAs with potential cross-kingdom human gene targets

“…However, Zhang et al defended this, saying that the results would have been based on a biased sequencing method between plants and animals (Zhang et al 2012 ; Dickinson et al 2013 ). Since then, the debate has continued based on the results by different groups of scientists who has provided evidence for or against the concept, of cross-kingdom transfer of miRNAs through various dietary sources and their regulation of mammalian genes over issues, such as methodology, contamination, and detection sensitivity (Li et al 2021 ; Chen et al 2013 ). Scientists reviewed evidences for and against the diet-derived miRNAs from plants, meat, milk, and exosomes.…”

“…This study opened the avenue for researchers to investigate plant-derived miRNAs as potential bioactive molecules for therapeutic interventions. Food consumption is a major route for miRNA transfer from plant to animal, allowing exogenous miRNAs from the diet to influence critical cellular processes in the animal (Samad et al 2021 ; Li et al 2021 ). Emerging evidence also pointed out that such exogenous miRNAs can sustain in the human gastrointestinal tract (Mar-Aguilar et al 2020 ).…”

The Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Cabbage Leaves Explained by the Influence of bol-miRNA172a on FAN Expression

“…The other obvious question concerns the potential of plant miRNAs to become new natural medicine products ( Lukasik and Zielenkiewicz, 2016 ). This subject was recently extensively reviewed e.g., ( Sanchita et al, 2018 ; Jia et al, 2021 ; Li et al, 2021 ; Samad et al, 2021 ; Winkle et al, 2021 ).…”