Review Article
MicroRNAs as Master Regulators of Plant Development and Stress Adaptation
Vasudeva Reddy Netala1, Nora M Al Aboud2 and Vijaya Tartte3
1School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, North University of China, Taiyuan, 030051, China.
2Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
3Department of Biotechnology, Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, 517502, India.
2Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
3Department of Biotechnology, Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, 517502, India.
*Corresponding author:Vasudeva Reddy Netala, Department of Chemical Engineering and Technology, North University of China, Taiyuan, 030051, China. E-mail Id: drreddy0205@qq.com
Copyright: © Netala VR, et al. 2025. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Article Information:Submission: 20/05/2025; Accepted: 18/06/2025; Published: 21/06/2025
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small (~20–24 nt), non-coding RNAs that serve as master regulators of gene expression in plants, playing pivotal roles in growth, development, and stress adaptation. This review systematically examines the molecular mechanisms of miRNA biogenesis, from
transcription and processing to their integration into RNA-induced silencing complexes (RISCs). We highlight their spatiotemporal regulation of key developmental processes—including leaf morphogenesis, root architecture, phase transitions, and reproductive development—and their adaptive roles in abiotic (drought, salinity, nutrient deficiency) and biotic (pathogens, herbivores) stress responses. The evolutionary conservation of miRNA pathways across plant species underscores their functional significance, while emerging biotechnological applications, such as engineered miRNAs and CRISPR-based editing, offer innovative strategies for crop improvement. By synthesizing current advances and future
perspectives (e.g., single-cell miRNAomics, synthetic networks, and cross-kingdom signaling), this review provides a comprehensive framework for understanding miRNA-mediated regulation in plants and its potential to address global agricultural challenges.
Keywords:MicroRNAs (miRNAs); miRNA biogenesis; Gene regulation; Plant development; Stress responses;Crop improvement;Evolutionary conservation; RNA interference (RNAi)