The Emerging Role of Long Non-Coding RNAs in Plant Defense Against Fungal Stress.

Wanquan Ji,Hong Zhang,Huan Guo,Weiguo Hu

doi:10.3390/ijms21082659

Abstract

Growing interest and recent evidence have identified long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) as the potential regulatory elements for eukaryotes. LncRNAs can activate various transcriptional and post-transcriptional events that impact cellular functions though multiple regulatory functions. Recently, a large number of lncRNAs have also been identified in higher plants, and an understanding of their functional role in plant resistance to infection is just emerging. Here, we focus on their identification in crop plant, and discuss their potential regulatory functions and lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA network in plant pathogen stress responses, referring to possible examples in a model plant. The knowledge gained from a deeper understanding of this colossal special group of plant lncRNAs will help in the biotechnological improvement of crops.

Highlights

Long non-coding RNAs (LncRNA), defined as a group of RNA transcripts that exceed 200 nt in length with no apparent discernable coding potential, were transcribed from the non-functional gene regions in eukaryotes
The lack of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) sequence similarity will certainly challenge the identification of homologous lncRNAs in crops
We have summarized long noncoding RNAs in plants infected with fungi, and evaluated the possible regulating role of lncRNAs on functional genes

Summary

Introduction

Long non-coding RNAs (LncRNA), defined as a group of RNA transcripts that exceed 200 nt in length with no apparent discernable coding potential, were transcribed from the non-functional gene regions in eukaryotes. The phytohormone-treated wheat transcriptome revealed that about 92% of abscisic acid (ABA)-responsive genes were expressed after Fusarium graminearum pathogen infection [16]. In this process, thousands of genes are implicated, including functional genes and noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) encoded by a specific genome region [17], which account for 90% of the genome [18]. We describe the major identification of plant lncRNAs, and how they act, with a focus on research in crops and our emerging understanding of lncRNA functions in serving as microRNA precursors, molecular sponges, and decoys, functioning in the regulation of transcription and silencing, in alternative splicing, and epigenetic regulation of the defense against fungal disease. It is hoped that lncRNAs will be exploited as a mainstream player to achieve food security by tackling different plant diseases

Capturing LncRNAs in Plant

LncRNAs in Plant Defense against Fungal Stress

Responding to Biotic Stress and Co-Expression with Functional Genes

Regulation of LncRNAs as ceRNA though Pseudogene Transcripts

Regulation Mechanism of LncRNAs in Gene Transcription

Molecular Network of Plant LncRNAs Related to Resistance

Prospect of Plant LncRNAs Related to Resistance

Findings

Concluding Remarks