Plant small RNAs as morphogens

Skopelitis, D. S., Husbands, A. Y., Timmermans, M. C. (2012) Plant small RNAs as morphogens. Current Opinion in Cell Biology, 24 (2). pp. 217-224.

URL: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22209728
DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2011.12.006

Abstract

RNA interference (RNAi) in plants has long been known to produce a non-cell autonomous signal capable of silencing target genes over great cellular distances. However, only recently have RNAi-derived small RNAs been formally shown to comprise that mobile signal. Interestingly, some of these mobile small RNAs play critical roles in plant development, forming gradients that regulate the activity of their targets in a dosage-dependent manner. These properties resemble features of morphogens in animals, leading us to postulate that such cell-fate-defining small RNAs employ similar principles for the generation, stabilization and interpretation of their expression gradients. Here we review our understanding of small RNA mobility in plants, evaluate their potential as morphogen-like signals, and consider how the graded accumulation patterns that underlie their patterning/biological activity could be created and maintained.

Item Type: Paper
Subjects: bioinformatics > genomics and proteomics > genetics & nucleic acid processing > DNA, RNA structure, function, modification
bioinformatics > genomics and proteomics > genetics & nucleic acid processing
organism description > plant
bioinformatics > genomics and proteomics > genetics & nucleic acid processing > DNA, RNA structure, function, modification > sRNA
CSHL Authors:
Communities: CSHL labs > Timmermans lab
CSHL Post Doctoral Fellows
Depositing User: Matt Covey
Date: 2012
Date Deposited: 18 Jan 2013 15:11
Last Modified: 02 May 2013 16:05
Related URLs:
URI: https://repository.cshl.edu/id/eprint/27046

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