Plant non-coding RNAs function in pollen development and male sterility

Abstract

Male sterility is classified as either cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) or genic male sterility (GMS). Generally, CMS involves mitochondrial genomes interacting with the nuclear genome, while GMS is caused by nuclear genes alone. Male sterility is regulated by multilevel mechanisms in which non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), including microRNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and phased small interfering RNAs (phasiRNAs), which have been proven to be critical elements. The development of high-throughput sequencing technology offers new opportunities to evaluate the genetic mechanism of ncRNAs in plant male sterility. In this review, we summarize the critical ncRNAs that regulate gene expression in ways dependent on or independent of hormones, which involve the differentiation of the stamen primordia, degradation of the tapetum, formation of microspores, and the release of pollen. In addition, the key mechanisms of the miRNA–lncRNA–mRNA interaction networks mediating male sterility in plants are elaborated. We present a different perspective on exploring the ncRNA-mediated regulatory pathways that control CMS in plants and create male-sterile lines through hormones or genome editing. A refined understanding of the ncRNA regulatory mechanisms in plant male sterility for the development of new sterile lines would be conducive to improve hybridization breeding.

Characterization and phylogenetic analysis of the complete mitochondrial genome of a unique economic plant <i>Lycium barbarum</i> L.

“…It is reported that male sterility could be classified into CMS and genic male sterility (GMS) (Zhu et al, 2020). Generally, CMS involves structural rearrangement of mtDNA and uncoordinated inheritance between the mt and nuclear genomes, whereas GMS is caused by only nuclear genes (Bohra et al, 2016;Nie et al, 2023). e mt genome of "Ningqi…”

Transcription Factors and Their Regulatory Roles in the Male Gametophyte Development of Flowering Plants

“…Increasing evidence shows that epigenetic machinery is also involved in the regulation of TF activation. An extensive data survey through transcriptomic approaches revealed the abundance of pollen/anther-preferential ncRNAs in diverse species [ 207 , 208 , 209 , 210 , 211 , 212 , 213 ], suggesting their possible regulatory roles in male gametophyte development. Notably, several long ncRNAs (lncRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) have been demonstrated to serve as upstream regulators of TFs to participate in this unique process ( Table 2 ).…”

Integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis reveals the role of jasmoic acid biosynthesis in pollen development of CMS-D1 rice

“…As a result, male sterile lines play a pivotal role in the hybrid breeding system. Male sterility encompasses cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) and genic male sterility (GMS), with CMS involving interactions between mitochondrial and nuclear genomes, while GMS is solely in uenced by nuclear genes [3]. Hybrid seed technology based on CMS adopts a three-line system, necessitating the presence of distinct breeding lines: the CMS line, the maintainer line, and the restorer line.…”