Plant cells accumulate small RNA molecules that regulate plant development, genome stability, and environmental responses. These small RNAs fall into three major classes based on their function and mechanisms of biogenesis—microRNAs, heterochromatic small interfering RNAs, and secondary small interfering RNAs—plus several other less well-characterized categories. Biogenesis of each small RNA class requires a pathway of factors, some specific to each pathway and others involved in multiple pathways. Diverse sequenced plant genomes, along with rapid developments in sequencing, imaging, and genetic transformation techniques, have enabled significant progress in understanding the biogenesis, functions, and evolution of plant small RNAs, including those that had been poorly characterized because they were absent or had low representation in Arabidopsis ( Arabidopsis thaliana). Here, we review recent findings about plant small RNAs and discuss our current understanding of their biogenesis mechanisms, targets, modes of action, mobility, and functions in Arabidopsis and other plant species, including economically important crops.

中文翻译：

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植物小 RNA：它们的生物发生、调节作用和功能

植物细胞积累调节植物发育、基因组稳定性和环境反应的小RNA分子。这些小RNA根据其功能和生物发生机制分为三大类——微小RNA、异色小干扰RNA和次级小干扰RNA——以及其他几个不太明确的类别。每个小RNA类别的生物发生都需要一系列因子，其中一些因子特定于每个途径，而另一些则涉及多个途径。多样化的植物基因组测序，以及测序、成像和遗传转化技术的快速发展，使人们在理解植物小RNA的生物发生、功能和进化方面取得了重大进展，包括那些因缺失或存在而一直难以表征的小RNA。在拟南芥（Arabidopsis thaliana）中代表性较低。在此，我们回顾了有关植物小 RNA 的最新发现，并讨论了我们目前对其在拟南芥和其他植物物种（包括重要经济作物）中的生物发生机制、靶标、作用模式、移动性和功能的理解。