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The Potential Roles of microRNAs in Molecular Breeding

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Plant Cell Culture Protocols

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 877))

Abstract

microRNAs (miRNAs), a class of small, endogenous, noncoding RNAs, are uncovered to play greatly expanded roles in a variety of plant developmental processes by gene silencing through inhibiting translation or promoting the degradation of target mRNAs. In virtue of their ability to inactivate either specific genes or entire gene families, artificial miRNAs function as dominant suppressors of gene activity when brought into a plant. Moreover, artificial target mimics are applied for the reduction of specific miRNA activity. Consequently, miRNA-based manipulations have emerged as promising new approaches for the improvement of crop plants. This action includes the development of breeding strategies and the genetic modification of agronomic traits. Herein, we describe the current miRNA-based plant engineering approaches, and their advantages and challenges are also stated.

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Correspondence to Yue-Qin Chen .

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Liu, Q., Chen, YQ. (2012). The Potential Roles of microRNAs in Molecular Breeding. In: Loyola-Vargas, V., Ochoa-Alejo, N. (eds) Plant Cell Culture Protocols. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 877. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-818-4_23

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-818-4_23

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, Totowa, NJ

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-61779-817-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-61779-818-4

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