microRNA在植物生长发育中的研究进展

Research Progress on microRNA in Plant Growth and Development

miRNAs (microRNAs)是生物体内一段由内源基因编码的长约21~25 nt的非编码、小分子RNAs,通常通过与下游靶mRNA结合,在转录后水平调控基因表达。在细胞核中,RNA聚合酶Ⅱ转录MicroRNA基因生成具有茎环结构的pri-miRNAs,随后在Dicer酶剪切作用下生成miRNA/miRNA~*双链,最终miRNA链在细胞质中与AGO等蛋白结合形成RNA诱导沉默复合体,进而调控靶基因。近年来,研究表明miRNA参与了植物生长发育的调控。本综述将从植物的根、叶、花和果实的生长发育过程对miRNA的功能进行总结,旨在为miRNA调控植物生长发育分子机理的深入研究以及利用基因工程等手段提高植物遗传特性提供参考。

miRNAs(microRNAs) are non-coding RNAs that are 21~25 nt in length encoded by endogenous gene in organism, and regulate gene expression by binding to the downstream target m RNAs. In the nucleus, MicroRNA gene is transcribed into a pri-miRNA contained stem-loop structure by RNA polymerase Ⅱ, the pri-miRNA is further processed into the miRNA/miRNA~* duplex by the cleavage of Dicer, and finally miRNA is loaded into RNA-induced silencing complex in combination with proteins such as AGO in the cytoplasm and then regulate target genes. In recent years, reports have revealed that plant miRNAs are involved in the regulation of plant growth and development. To provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying miRNA regulatory networks in plant growth and development and provide information for improving plant genetic characteristics by genetic engineering, this article reviews the function of miRNAs involving in the growth and development of plant roots, leaves, flowers and fruits.