Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2012, 13(12), 15826-15847; doi:10.3390/ijms131215826
Review

MicroRNAs in Metal Stress: Specific Roles or Secondary Responses?

Heidi Gielenemail, Tony Remansemail, Jaco Vangronsveldemail and Ann Cuypers* email
Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Building D, Diepenbeek 3590, Belgium
* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Received: 1 November 2012; in revised form: 20 November 2012 / Accepted: 21 November 2012 / Published: 27 November 2012
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Non-Coding RNAs 2012)
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Abstract: In plants, microRNAs (miRNAs) control various biological processes by negatively regulating the expression of complementary target genes, either (1) post-transcriptionally by cleavage or translational inhibition of target mRNA, or (2) transcriptionally by methylation of target DNA. Besides their role in developmental processes, miRNAs are main players in stress responses, including metal stress responses. Exposure of plants to excess metal concentrations disturbs the cellular redox balance and enhances ROS accumulation, eventually leading to oxidative damage or signaling. Plants modify their gene expression by the activity of miRNAs in response to metal toxicity to regulate (1) complexation of excess metals, (2) defense against oxidative stress and (3) signal transduction for controlling various biological responses. This review focuses on the biogenesis, working mechanisms and functioning of miRNAs in plants. In a final part, our current knowledge on the regulatory roles of miRNAs in plant metal stress responses is highlighted, and whether stress-regulated miRNAs have specific roles or are secondary consequences is discussed.
Keywords: metals; oxidative stress; microRNA (miRNA); target gene

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MDPI and ACS Style

Gielen, H.; Remans, T.; Vangronsveld, J.; Cuypers, A. MicroRNAs in Metal Stress: Specific Roles or Secondary Responses? Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2012, 13, 15826-15847.

AMA Style

Gielen H, Remans T, Vangronsveld J, Cuypers A. MicroRNAs in Metal Stress: Specific Roles or Secondary Responses? International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2012; 13(12):15826-15847.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Gielen, Heidi; Remans, Tony; Vangronsveld, Jaco; Cuypers, Ann. 2012. "MicroRNAs in Metal Stress: Specific Roles or Secondary Responses?" Int. J. Mol. Sci. 13, no. 12: 15826-15847.

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