Plant Small RNAs: Biogenesis and Functions

Dear Colleagues,

Canonical plant small RNAs (sRNAs) include microRNAs (miRNAs) and small interfering RNAs (siRNAs); the latter can be subclassified mainly as heterochromatic small interfering RNAs (hc-siRNAs) and secondary siRNAs. sRNAs play key roles in the regulation of plant growth, reproduction, biotic and abiotic stress responses, and agronomic traits. In the past two decades, tremendous advances have been made in studying sRNA biogenesis and functions. In particular, many miRNAs and secondary siRNAs have been functionally identified in major crops. Their small size and efficiency in mediating gene silencing allow researchers to apply sRNAs in agronomic trait improvement and enhance crop resistance to diseases and insects.

However, sRNA biogenesis is precisely controlled by a complicated mechanism. The biogenesis and functions of several other sRNA types, such as naturally antisense siRNAs (natsiRNAs), double-strand break-induced sRNAs (diRNAs), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA)-derived siRNAs (risiRNAs), are largely unknown. Moreover, miRNA functions in major crops are still poorly understood. New endeavors in plant sRNA biogenesis and functions will provide essential support for researchers and breeders in crop breeding and agronomic improvement.

In this Special Issue, we would like to invite various studies on the biogenesis and functions of plant sRNAs. We welcome both original research and reviews.

Dr. Zhanhui Zhang
Dr. Jiangwei Yang
Guest Editors

Dr. Rongna Wang
Guest Editor Assistant

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