Abstract:
Small RNAs (sRNA) play an essential role in the epigenetic
modulation of the genome. They are implicated in numerous processes,
encompassing factors that mitigate both abiotic and biotic stressors. Notable
among these are heat shock proteins (HSP), enzymes involved in reactive oxygen
species (ROS) scavenging, and nuclear factor Y (NF-Y). Molecularly, sRNAs are
characterized by sequences of approximately 21–23 nucleotides in length.
Based on contemporary understandings in plant science, numerous abiotic
constraints have the potential to curtail crop yield, growth, and reproductive
potential in plants. These constraints exert their deleterious effects by
undermining cellular homeostasis, perturbing ionic equilibrium, and impinging
upon essential physiological processes. However, evolution has endowed certain
plant species with the ability to adapt to elevated thermal conditions through
the nuanced regulation of genes and proteins, notably heat shock factors (HSF)
and HSP. While there has been an incremental growth in literature concerning
microRNA (miRNA) functionality in plants, the emergent targets of miRNA and
their intricate relationship with the HSF-HSP complex remain underexplored. In
this scholarly review, we delve into the thermal responses of HSF-HSP in both
Hordeum vulgare and Arabidopsis thaliana, emphasizing their regulation by
miRNA under conditions of heat stress.
