MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are noncoding, small RNAs of 20–24 nucleotides (nt) and function critically at the post-transcriptional level to regulate gene expression through cleaving mRNA targets or interfering with translation of the target mRNAs. They are broadly involved in many biological processes in plants. The miR397 family in plants contains several conserved members either in 21-nt or in 22-nt that mainly target the laccase (LAC) genes functioning in lignin synthesis and are involved in the development of plants under various conditions. Recent findings showed that miR397b in Arabidopsis could also target to Casein Kinase II Subunit Beta 3 (CKB3) and mediate circadian regulation and plant flowering. This review aims to summarise recent updates on miR397 and provides the available basis for understanding the functional mechanisms of miR397 in plant growth and development regulation and in response to external adverse stimulation.

MicroRNA（miRNA）是非编码的20-24个核苷酸（nt）的小RNA，在转录后水平上起关键作用，通过切割mRNA靶标或干扰靶标mRNA的翻译来调节基因表达。它们广泛地参与了植物的许多生物过程。植物中的miR397家族在21-nt或22-nt中包含几个保守成员，它们主要靶向在木质素合成中起作用的漆酶（LAC）基因，并在各种条件下参与植物的发育。最近的发现表明拟南芥中的miR397b也可以靶向酪蛋白激酶II亚基Beta 3（CKB3）并调节昼夜节律和植物开花。这篇综述旨在总结miR397的最新更新，并为了解miR397在植物生长和发育调控以及响应外部不利刺激中的功能机制提供可用的基础。