MicroRNAs Sequencing for Understanding the Genetic Regulation of Plant Genomes

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous non-coding RNAs that play important regulatory roles in animals and plants by targeting mRNAs for cleavage or translational repression. Small RNAs are classified into different types by their biogenesis and mode of action, such as miRNAs, siRNAs, piRNAs, and snoRNAs. In the case of miRNAs, this specific type regulates gene expression in plants and animals by targeting mRNAs for cleavage and translational repression, respectively. Diverse miRNAs regulate plant development, metabolism, and responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. The identification of miRNAs has been accomplished in diverse species, organs and developmental or diverse biotic and abiotic stress conditions. Novel massive sequencing techniques and further bioinformatics analysis have allowed the identification of hundreds of miRNAs in Arabidopsis thaliana, Oryza sativa, Malus domestica, Zea mays, Solanum lycopersicum, and other plants. Functional characterization of a given miRNA in a specific biological context has shown their role in the finetuning mechanisms of posttranscriptional gene regulation. In this chapter, besides making a summary of genome-wide miRNA profiling in plants, we describe how gain and loss of function approaches influence plant phenotypes that affect development, physiology or stress responses, pointing to miRNAs as effective tools for the generation of new plant phenotypes that improve plant productivity and conservation.

Molecular Analysis in Cactus Fruit (Opuntia sp.) Development

“…MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small, non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression in eukaryotes. They are involved in different processes of plant development, including fruit development, and very recently, they have been reported as part of the response mechanisms to diseases and other types of stress [3]. miRNAs play an essential role in the post-transcriptional regulation of genes and target a large number of transcription factors and other regulatory proteins, suggesting a role in the control of regulatory pathways and development [3].…”

“…They are involved in different processes of plant development, including fruit development, and very recently, they have been reported as part of the response mechanisms to diseases and other types of stress [3]. miRNAs play an essential role in the post-transcriptional regulation of genes and target a large number of transcription factors and other regulatory proteins, suggesting a role in the control of regulatory pathways and development [3]. In order to identify the function of microRNAs, it is necessary to analyze their expression and that of the targets, with which they interact negatively.…”

Development of In Vitro Root Culture and miRNAs Analysis for Secondary Metabolites of Native Plants from the Mexican Bajio

“…They are involved in different plant development processes, and different disease response mechanism and stress (6). miRNAS plays an essential in the postranscriptional gene regulation and their targets include transcription factors and other regulatory proteins, with a role in plant growth development (7).…”