New insights into pri‐miRNA processing and accumulation in plants

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Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate many biological processes such as development, metabolism, and others. They are processed from their primary transcripts called primary miRNA transcripts (pri‐miRNAs) by the processor complex containing the RNAse III enzyme, DICER‐LIKE1 (DCL1), in plants. Consequently, miRNA biogenesis is controlled through altering pri‐miRNA accumulation and processing, which is crucial for plant development and adaptation to environmental changes. Plant pri‐miRNAs are transcribed by DNA‐dependent RNA polymerase II (Pol II) and their levels are determined through transcription and degradation, whereas pri‐miRNA processing is affected by its structure, splicing, alternative splicing, loading to the processor and the processor activity, which involve in many accessory proteins. Here, we summarize recent progresses related to pri‐miRNA transcription, stability, and processing in plants. WIREs RNA 2015, 6:533–545. doi: 10.1002/wrna.1292This article is categorized under: Regulatory RNAs/RNAi/Riboswitches > Biogenesis of Effector Small RNAs
Funding Information
  • National Science Foundation (MCB‐1121193)

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