[an error occurred while processing this directive]

HEREDITAS ›› 2012, Vol. 34 ›› Issue (1): 41-49.doi: 10.3724/SP.J.1005.2012.00041

• en • Previous Articles     Next Articles

The small RNAs in plant immunity

XU Ling, XU Ming-Liang   

  1. National Maize Improvement Center of China, Key Laboratory of Crop Genomics and Genetic Improvement of Ministry of Agriculture, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
  • Received:2011-04-24 Revised:2011-06-16 Online:2012-01-20 Published:2012-01-25
  • Contact: mingling Xu E-mail:mxu@cau.edu.cn

Abstract: Small RNAs are involved in a multitude of biological processes in plants. Based on their origins and precursor structures, small RNAs can be divided into two major classes: microRNAs (miRNAs) and small interference RNAs (siRNAs). Small RNAs are typically 21-24 nucleotide (nt) long, and differ in both biogenesis and biological function. In the pathogenic process, pathogens can either induce or suppress the synthesis of small RNAs, which, in turn, regulate the expression of pathogenesis-related genes to mediate diverse plant-pathogen interactions. The biogenesis and biological functions of small RNAs, together with possible regulation mechanisms underlying the host-pathogen interactions, are summarized in this review,

Key words: small RNAs, biogenesis, plant-pathogen interaction, antiviral immunity