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Silencing and Expressing MicroRNAs in Plants Through Virus-Based Vectors

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RNA-Based Technologies for Functional Genomics in Plants

Part of the book series: Concepts and Strategies in Plant Sciences ((CSPS))

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Abstract

The traditional methods for functional analysis of microRNAs is to create transgenic plants with either overexpression or loss of function of microRNAs. Expression vectors based on plant viruses have the advantages of easy infection, short time to get results, and high throughput nature. Here, we describe the approaches to discover microRNAs functions based on viral vectors in plants. We describe here the use of viral system as a tool for gene function analysis, strategies for functional analysis of microRNAs, plant viral vectors used for gene silencing or overexpression, and virus-based miRNA silencing or overexpression in plants. Finally, the perspectives of viral vectors in functional analysis of microRNAs and crop breeding are discussed.

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Correspondence to Aihua Sha .

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Sha, A. (2021). Silencing and Expressing MicroRNAs in Plants Through Virus-Based Vectors. In: Tang, G., Teotia, S., Tang, X., Singh, D. (eds) RNA-Based Technologies for Functional Genomics in Plants. Concepts and Strategies in Plant Sciences. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-64994-4_4

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