Role of MicroRNAs in Plant Abiotic Stress Responses

Recently discovered genome-encoded small RNAs have emerged as critical regulators of gene expression in higher eukaryotes. MicroRNAs fine-tune target gene expression at the posttranscriptional level either by degrading or inhibiting the protein production of the mRNA target and such regulation is vital for adaptation to stress conditions. To gain an insight into miRNA networks that control various traits including stress tolerance in various plant species, we have sequenced small RNA libraries from treated and untreated samples. This analysis has resulted in identification of several conserved and novel miRNAs that could play decisive role in tolerating stressful environments. These findings as well as a few functional analyses of stress responsive miRNAs will be discussed.