AN UPDATE ON MICRORNAS: EMERGING ROLES IN PLANT GROWTH, DEVELOPMENT, AND STRESS ADAPTATION

Abstract

As key threats to global crop productivity, environmental stresses trigger sophisticated multi-level regulatory mechanisms in plants, spanning transcriptional to translational control. Among these, microRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as pivotal post-transcriptional regulators. This review details miRNA biogenesis, function, and research methodologies, focusing on their dynamic roles in abiotic stress responses, including temperature extremes, drought, salinity, and heavy metals. By differentially expressing under stress, miRNAs fine-tune gene networks through repression of negative regulators and enhancement of positive responses. Furthermore, we synthesize their broader roles in plant metabolism and development, offering a comprehensive overview of miRNA discovery, function, and evolution to advance understanding of plant stress adaptation.