Department of Biology, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester, UK.
J Exp Bot. 2011 Mar;62(5):1601-10. doi: 10.1093/jxb/erq399. Epub 2010 Dec 10.
Small non-coding RNAs are key post-transcriptional and transcriptional regulators of plant gene expression in angiosperm sporophytes. In recent years, gametophytic small RNAs have also been investigated, predominantly in Arabidopsis male gametophytes, revealing features in common with the sporophyte as well as some surprising differences. Transcriptomic and deep-sequencing studies confirm that multiple small RNA pathways operate in male gametophytes, with over 100 miRNAs detected throughout development. Trans-acting siRNA pathways that are associated with novel phased transcripts in pollen, and the nat-siRNA pathway have important roles in pollen maturation and gamete function. Moreover, a role for siRNA-triggered silencing of transposable elements in male and female germ cells has been established, a feature in common with the role of piRNAs in animal germlines. Current evidence supports an integral role for small RNAs in angiosperm gametophyte development and it can be anticipated that novel small RNAs with significant roles in germline development and genome integrity await discovery.
小非编码 RNA 是被子植物孢子体中基因表达的关键转录后和转录调控因子。近年来，也研究了配子体小 RNA，主要在拟南芥雄性配子体中，揭示了与孢子体共同的特征，以及一些令人惊讶的差异。转录组和深度测序研究证实，多个小 RNA 途径在雄性配子体中起作用，在整个发育过程中检测到超过 100 个 miRNA。与花粉中新型相联转录本相关的反式作用 siRNA 途径和 nat-siRNA 途径在花粉成熟和配子功能中具有重要作用。此外，已经证实 siRNA 触发转座元件在雄性和雌性生殖细胞中的沉默在动物生殖细胞中起作用，这是 piRNA 的作用的共同特征。目前的证据支持小 RNA 在被子植物配子体发育中的重要作用，可以预期，在生殖细胞发育和基因组完整性方面具有重要作用的新型小 RNA 有待发现。
