MicroRNAs in Woody Plants

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small (∼21-nucleotides) non-coding RNAs found in plant and animals. MiRNAs function as critical post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression by binding to complementary sequences in their target mRNAs, leading to mRNA destabilization and translational inhibition. Plant miRNAs have some distinct characteristics compared to their animal counterparts, including greater evolutionary conservation and unique miRNA processing methods. The lifecycle of a plant begins with embryogenesis and progresses through seed germination, vegetative growth, reproductive growth, flowering and fruiting, and finally senescence and death. MiRNAs participate in the transformation of plant growth and development and directly monitor progression of these processes and the expression of certain morphological characteristics by regulating transcription factor genes involved in cell growth and differentiation. In woody plants, a large and rapidly increasing number of miRNAs have been identified, but their biological functions are largely unknown. In this review, we summarize the progress of miRNA research in woody plants to date. In particular, we discuss the potential roles of these miRNAs in growth, development, and biotic and abiotic stresses responses in woody plants.

Conservation and Diversity of miR166 Family Members From Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) and Their Potential Functions in Abiotic Stress

“…Temperature is an important environmental factor that affects plant growth, yield, and geographical distribution. Plants are constantly subjected to freezing, cold, and heat stress from their surrounding natural environment, with miRNAs playing an active role in temperature stress responses ( Sun et al, 2019 ; Fang and Wang, 2021 ). In rice ( Oryza sativa ), Osa-miR166 m and Osa-miR166 k are involved in cold stress ( Devi et al, 2013 ).…”

“…Salt stress is a major abiotic stress that affects plant growth and development. Many miRNAs, including miR166 family members, play important roles in response to salt stress in plants ( Si et al, 2014 ; Sun et al, 2019 ; Fang and Wang, 2021 ). The abundance of miR166a-5p and miR166j-3p was upregulated in soybean roots, while that of miR166a-5p was downregulated in barley roots ( Wang et al, 2020 ; Kuang et al, 2021 ).…”

“…The pre-miRNA is processed by DICER LIKE1 (DCL1) into the mature miRNA, which then interacts with its target transcripts. Mature miRNAs mediate almost all plant cellular and metabolic processes by regulating gene expression at the posttranscriptional level ( Thakur et al, 2011 ; Fang and Wang, 2021 ).…”

The Intersection of Non-Coding RNAs Contributes to Forest Trees’ Response to Abiotic Stress

“…Various miRNAs and their potential target genes are differentially expressed in Populus ( P .) trichocarpa in response to drought stress, such as miR167, miR168, miR396, and miR164, pointing to their essential roles in the drought response [ 17 , 18 ]. Using high-throughput sequencing and microarray analysis, 104 and 27 miRNAs were found to be upregulated and downregulated, respectively, by drought stress in P .…”

Integrated transcriptome and small RNA sequencing in revealing miRNA-mediated regulatory network of floral bud break in Prunus mume

“…The unwinding duplex was further incorporated into AGO proteins to assemble RISC (RNA-induced silencing complex) that targets mRNA for cleavage or translation repression (Betancur et al, 2012;Strzyz, 2021). In plants, miRNAs play a central role in many developmental processes including patterning of leaf and flower organs, timing of phase transition, seed development, biotic and abiotic responses through targeting transcriptional factor encoding genes (D'Ario et al, 2017;Fang and Wang, 2021). The role of miRNAs in chilling-induced dormancy release has been investigated in a few woody perennials (Yu et al, 2021).…”