Background:
Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), such as microRNAs (miRNAs), small interfering
RNAs (siRNAs) and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), play significant regulatory roles in plant
development and secondary metabolism and are involved in plant response to biotic and abiotic stresses.
They have been intensively studied in model systems and crops for approximately two decades and
massive amount of information have been obtained. However, for medicinal plants, ncRNAs, particularly
their regulatory roles in bioactive compound biosynthesis, are just emerging as a hot research field.
Objective:
This review aims to summarize current knowledge on herbal ncRNAs and their regulatory roles
in bioactive compound production.
Results and Conclusion:
So far, scientists have identified thousands of miRNA candidates from over 50
medicinal plant species and 11794 lncRNAs from Salvia miltiorrhiza, Panax ginseng, and Digitalis
purpurea. Among them, more than 30 miRNAs and five lncRNAs have been predicted to regulate
bioactive compound production. The regulation may achieve through various regulatory modules and
pathways, such as the miR397-LAC module, the miR12112-PPO module, the miR156-SPL module, the
miR828-MYB module, the miR858-MYB module, and other siRNA and lncRNA regulatory pathways.
Further functional analysis of herbal ncRNAs will provide useful information for quality and quantity
improvement of medicinal plants.
