Long Non-coding RNAs in Plants
A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Plant Sciences".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2024 | Viewed by 230
Special Issue Editor
Interests: bioinformatics; disease; long non coding RNA; plant biology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been identified as important regulators of gene expression in plants. These RNA molecules are transcribed from the genome but do not encode proteins, and they have diverse roles in plant growth, development, stress responses, and other biological processes. In recent years, there has been increasing interest in understanding the functions and mechanisms of lncRNAs in plants, and this Special Issue aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of knowledge in this field.
The study of lncRNAs in plants is a relatively new area of research, but it has already revealed several important insights into their roles in gene regulation. One of the earliest discoveries was the identification of COOLAIR, an lncRNA that regulates the flowering time gene FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC) in Arabidopsis thaliana. COOLAIR acts as a scaffold for the recruitment of chromatin-modifying enzymes that repress FLC expression, thereby delaying flowering until the appropriate environmental cues are present.
Since then, many other lncRNAs have been identified in various plant species, and their functions have been investigated using a variety of experimental approaches. For example, some lncRNAs have been shown to regulate the expression of neighboring genes through interactions with chromatin or transcription factors, while others act as decoys to sequester microRNAs or other regulatory molecules away from their target mRNAs.
In addition to their roles in normal plant development, lncRNAs also play important roles in response to abiotic and biotic stresses. For example, several lncRNAs have been implicated in drought, salt, and cold tolerance, as well as defense against pathogens such as bacteria and fungi. Understanding the mechanisms by which these lncRNAs contribute to stress responses could have important implications for improving crop productivity and resilience in the face of changing environmental conditions.
In summary, the study of lncRNAs in plants has emerged as an exciting and rapidly growing field of research. This Special Issue will bring together experts from around the world to share their latest findings and perspectives on the roles and mechanisms of lncRNAs in plant biology. We hope that this collection of articles will provide a valuable resource for researchers and students interested in understanding the complexity of gene regulation in plants and will stimulate further research in this fascinating area.
We welcome original research articles, reviews, and perspectives covering topics such as:
- Identification and characterization of plant lncRNAs;
- Mechanisms of action of plant lncRNAs;
- Roles of plant lncRNAs in development, differentiation, and morphogenesis;
- Interactions between plant lncRNAs and other regulatory molecules, such as microRNAs and transcription factors;
- Regulation of plant lncRNA expression and function under biotic and abiotic stress conditions;
- Applications of plant lncRNAs in crop improvement and biotechnology.
We invite submissions from researchers working in all areas related to plant lncRNAs, including molecular biology, genomics, bioinformatics, and functional analysis.
Prof. Dr. Changning Liu
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- long noncoding RNAs
- plants
- gene regulation
- development
- stress responses
