Processing of coding and non-coding RNAs in plant development and environmental responses

Abstract

Precursor RNAs undergo extensive processing to become mature RNAs. RNA transcripts are subjected to 5′ capping, 3′-end processing, splicing, and modification; they also form dynamic secondary structures during co-transcriptional and post-transcriptional processing. Like coding RNAs, non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) undergo extensive processing. For example, secondary small interfering RNA (siRNA) transcripts undergo RNA processing, followed by further cleavage to become mature siRNAs. Transcriptome studies have revealed roles for co-transcriptional and post-transcriptional RNA processing in the regulation of gene expression and the coordination of plant development and plant–environment interactions. In this review, we present the latest progress on RNA processing in gene expression and discuss phased siRNAs (phasiRNAs), a kind of germ cell-specific secondary small RNA (sRNA), focusing on their functions in plant development and environmental responses.

The impact of multiple abiotic stresses on ns-LTP2.8 gene transcript and ns-LTP2.8 protein accumulation in germinating barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) embryos

“…A significant amount of various transcripts in the embryonal axis suggests that regulatory molecules (ncRNAs: sRNA, siRNA, and miRNA) may be present in this pool in addition to coding sequences. Abiotic stress can induce or inhibit the expression of specific ncRNAs, thereby regulating the translation of other mRNAs in cells [101][102][103][104].…”

Epigenetic regulation of thermomorphogenesis in Arabidopsis thaliana

“…Small RNAs (single-stranded 21–24 nucleotide RNAs) regulate the post-transcriptional expression of genes and include microRNAs (miRNAs) and small interfering RNAs (siRNAs). Small RNAs play key roles in regulating plant growth and development, signal transduction, stress responses, and genome stability (D'Ario et al 2017 ; Deng et al 2016 ; Si et al 2020 ). In addition, the role of small RNAs in ambient temperature adaptation of plants is emerging (Gyula et al 2018 ; Kim et al 2012 ; Lee et al 2010 ; Serivichyaswat et al 2017 ).…”

Biogenesis, Trafficking, and Function of Small RNAs in Plants

“…In most eukaryotes, small RNAs (sRNAs) are generated by the ribonuclease III-like enzyme dicer or dicer-like (DCL) proteins and are incorporated into argonaute (AGO) proteins to induce gene silencing in a sequence-specific manner ( Huang et al, 2019a ). Small RNAs are widely present in plants and have been gradually utilized to control plant diseases and insect pests because they can regulate various biological processes, e.g., plant growth, development, and stress response ( Si et al, 2020 ; Mekapogu et al, 2021 ).…”