Abstract
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are transcripts without protein-coding potential that contain more than 200 nucleotides that play important roles in plant survival in response to different stresses. They interact with molecules such as DNA, RNA, and protein, and play roles in the regulation of chromatin remodeling, RNA metabolism, and protein modification activities. These lncRNAs regulate the expression of their downstream targets through epigenetic changes, at the level of transcription and post-transcription. Emerging information from computational biology and functional characterization of some of them has revealed their diverse mechanisms of action and possible roles in biological processes such as flowering time, reproductive organ development, as well as biotic and abiotic stress responses. In this review, we have mainly focused on the role of lncRNAs in biotic stress response due to the limited availability of knowledge in this domain. We have discussed the available molecular mechanisms of certain known lncRNAs against specific pathogens. Further, considering that fungal, viral, and bacterial diseases are major factors in the global food crisis, we have highlighted the importance of lncRNAs against pathogen responses and the progress in plant research to develop a better understanding of their functions and molecular mechanisms.
Highlights
Enhanced knowledge of the involvement of non-protein-coding regions of DNA in regulatory functions has provided remarkable progress in elucidating the important roles of non-coding molecules
The ideally known function of Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) might be in the regulation of transcription as “riboregulators.” the molecular mechanism of lncRNAs can be depicted in several ways; they can act as signals and decoys of miRNAs or a competitor of pre-mRNAs in alternate splicing, as a guide in directing RNP complex to specific targets, and as scaffolds in the recruitment of complex protein molecules [17]
The specific role of some of the lncRNAs in different stresses has been identified in model plants such as Arabidopsis and tomato, using techniques such as RNA interference (RNAi) and virus-induced gene silencing
Summary
Enhanced knowledge of the involvement of non-protein-coding regions of DNA in regulatory functions has provided remarkable progress in elucidating the important roles of non-coding molecules. The non-coding regions of DNA are transcribed into a large number of transcriptional units known as non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) These ncRNAs were initially considered to be trash DNA, but recently, they have become a key component of various regulatory processes [2]. Long non-coding RNAs can be broadly classified on the basis of their genomic location as: (i) long intergenic ncRNAs (lincRNAs), (ii) long intronic ncRNAs (incRNAs), and (iii) natural antisense transcripts (NATs) [14]. Their subcellular localization can be nuclear or cytoplasmic. The ideally known function of lncRNAs might be in the regulation of transcription as “riboregulators.” the molecular mechanism of lncRNAs can be depicted in several ways; they can act as signals and decoys of miRNAs or a competitor of pre-mRNAs in alternate splicing, as a guide in directing RNP (ribonucleoprotein) complex to specific targets, and as scaffolds in the recruitment of complex protein molecules [17]
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