Open AccessThe small RNAs in plant immunity
Author(s) -
Ling Xu,
Mingliang Xu
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
yichuan
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 0253-9772
DOI - 10.3724/sp.j.1005.2012.00041
Subject(s) - biogenesis , biology , microrna , small rna , function (biology) , rna interference , rna , computational biology , small nucleolar rna , small interfering rna , gene , genetics , non coding rna
Small RNAs are involved in a multitude of biological processes in plants. Based on their origins and precursor structures, small RNAs can be divided into two major classes: microRNAs (miRNAs) and small interference RNAs (siRNAs). Small RNAs are typically 21-24 nucleotide (nt) long, and differ in both biogenesis and biological function. In the pathogenic process, pathogens can either induce or suppress the synthesis of small RNAs, which, in turn, regulate the expression of pathogenesis-related genes to mediate diverse plant-pathogen interactions. The biogenesis and biological functions of small RNAs, together with possible regulation mechanisms underlying the host-pathogen interactions, are summarized in this review.