Plant MicroRNAs: An overview

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are an abundant class of endogenous, noncoding ribonucleic acids (RNAs). They negatively regulate the expression of a wide range of genes, at the posttranscriptional level, that are involved in plant developmental pathways. MiRNAs are present in both plants and animals, but they differ in their biogenesis, mode of action, and evolution. Biogenesis and function of miRNAs require special class of conserved RNAi machinery core proteins. This chapter discusses the methods for the identification of miRNAs using deep sequencing, direct cloning, and computational approaches. Tools available for identifying plant miRNA genes and their targets are listed and discussed along with a brief overview of current knowledge about miRNA clusters, mirtrons, miRNA promoters, and designing and applications of an miRNA.