Long Non-coding RNAs in Plants
A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Plant Sciences".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2024 | Viewed by 397
Special Issue Editor
Interests: bioinformatics; disease; long non coding RNA; plant biology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been identified as important regulators of gene expression in plants. These RNA molecules are transcribed from the genome but do not encode proteins, and they have diverse roles in plant growth, development, stress responses, and other biological processes. In recent years, there has been increasing interest in understanding the functions and mechanisms of lncRNAs in plants, and this Special Issue aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of knowledge in this field.
The study of lncRNAs in plants is a relatively new area of research, but it has already revealed several important insights into their roles in gene regulation. One of the earliest discoveries was the identification of COOLAIR, an lncRNA that regulates the flowering time gene FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC) in Arabidopsis thaliana. COOLAIR acts as a scaffold for the recruitment of chromatin-modifying enzymes that repress FLC expression, thereby delaying flowering until the appropriate environmental cues are present.
Since then, many other lncRNAs have been identified in various plant species, and their functions have been investigated using a variety of experimental approaches. For example, some lncRNAs have been shown to regulate the expression of neighboring genes through interactions with chromatin or transcription factors, while others act as decoys to sequester microRNAs or other regulatory molecules away from their target mRNAs.
In addition to their roles in normal plant development, lncRNAs also play important roles in response to abiotic and biotic stresses. For example, several lncRNAs have been implicated in drought, salt, and cold tolerance, as well as defense against pathogens such as bacteria and fungi. Understanding the mechanisms by which these lncRNAs contribute to stress responses could have important implications for improving crop productivity and resilience in the face of changing environmental conditions.
In summary, the study of lncRNAs in plants has emerged as an exciting and rapidly growing field of research. This Special Issue will bring together experts from around the world to share their latest findings and perspectives on the roles and mechanisms of lncRNAs in plant biology. We hope that this collection of articles will provide a valuable resource for researchers and students interested in understanding the complexity of gene regulation in plants and will stimulate further research in this fascinating area.
We welcome original research articles, reviews, and perspectives covering topics such as:
- Identification and characterization of plant lncRNAs;
- Mechanisms of action of plant lncRNAs;
- Roles of plant lncRNAs in development, differentiation, and morphogenesis;
- Interactions between plant lncRNAs and other regulatory molecules, such as microRNAs and transcription factors;
- Regulation of plant lncRNA expression and function under biotic and abiotic stress conditions;
- Applications of plant lncRNAs in crop improvement and biotechnology.
We invite submissions from researchers working in all areas related to plant lncRNAs, including molecular biology, genomics, bioinformatics, and functional analysis.
Prof. Dr. Changning Liu
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- long noncoding RNAs
- plants
- gene regulation
- development
- stress responses
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
- Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
- Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
- Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
- External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
- e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.
Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.
