PLANT MICRORNAS AND STRESS RESPONSE (HB 2024) Hardcover

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small (20–24 nt), single-stranded RNA molecules that regulate gene expression at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels in plants. These non-coding, highly conserved, and widely distributed molecules play a crucial role in plant growth, development, and stress responses. miRNAs are involved in responding to various abiotic stresses such as drought, salinity, heat, cold, UV radiation, heavy metals, and microbial infections, which can affect plant survival, growth, quality, yield, and production. Stress-induced miRNAs downregulate their target genes, which in turn facilitates the accumulation of positive regulators involved in stress tolerance. miRNA-mediated modifications, including overexpression or suppression of stress-responsive miRNAs, target-resistant genes, and artificial miRNAs, can enhance plant resilience to environmental stresses. This book provides an overview of recent advances in the understanding of plant miRNAs, their biogenesis, functions, bioinformatics tools, and their role in regulating growth and development, as well as their involvement in plant responses to various biotic and abiotic stresses.