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Micro RNA s in fruit trees: discovery, diversity and future research directions
Author(s) -
Solofoharivelo M. C.,
Walt A. P.,
Stephan D.,
Burger J. T.,
Murray S. L.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
plant biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.871
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1438-8677
pISSN - 1435-8603
DOI - 10.1111/plb.12153
Subject(s) - biology , rna , abiotic stress , gene , abiotic component , non coding rna , computational biology , genetics , botany , ecology
Since the first description of micro RNA s (mi RNA s) 20 years ago, the number of mi RNA s identified in different eukaryotic organisms has exploded, largely due to the recent advances in DNA sequencing technologies. Functional studies, mostly from model species, have revealed that mi RNA s are major post‐transcriptional regulators of gene expression in eukaryotes. In plants, they are implicated in fundamental biological processes, from plant development and morphogenesis, to regulation of plant pathogen and abiotic stress responses. Although a substantial number of mi RNA s have been identified in fruit trees to date, their functions remain largely uncharacterised. The present review aims to summarise the progress made in mi RNA research in fruit trees, focusing specifically on the economically important species P runus persica, M alus domestica , Citrus spp, and V itis vinifera . We also discuss future mi RNA research prospects in these plants and highlight potential applications of mi RNA s in the on‐going improvement of fruit trees.