Title:Small and Hungry: MicroRNAs in Micronutrient Homeostasis of Plants
Volume: 6
Issue: 1
Author(s): Prashanti Patel, Karuna Yadav and Thumballi R. Ganapathi*
Affiliation:
- Plant Cell Culture Technology Section, Nuclear Agriculture and Biotechnology Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai 400 085,India
Keywords:
Development, homeostasis, micro RNAs, micronutrients, mutants, overexpression, specificity, transcriptome.
Abstract: MicroRNAs are emerging players in plant development and response to stresses, both biotic
and abiotic such as micronutrient deficiency. These small RNAs regulate cognate downstream targets
either by transcript cleavage or translational inhibition. Micronutrient deficiencies lead to poor quality
and yield of crops and impaired human health. Over the years several microRNAs have been identified
which regulate expression of genes controlling uptake, mobilization and homeostasis of macronutrients
such as nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur to ensure sufficiency without toxicity. This review attempts
to understand the roles played by micro RNAs involved in homeostasis of the micronutrients
boron, manganese, zinc, copper, iron, molybdenum and nickel and the cross talk between them upon
perception of nutritional stress. Notably and surprisingly, several micro RNAs are not specific for a
particular micronutrient stress and the challenge remains to uncover ones (if any) that are directly
relevant to the micronutrient. Current findings of this yet infant field could potentiate biotechnological
applications towards biofortification, plant innate immunity and remedy heavy metal toxicity.
