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Published VersionCC BY V4.0, Open Access
Journal article
The microRNA Pathway of Macroalgae: Its Similarities and Differences to the Plant and Animal microRNA Pathways
Genes, Vol.16(4), pp.1-33
2025
PMID: 40282402
Abstract
In plants and animals, the microRNA (miRNA) class of small regulatory RNA plays an essential role in controlling gene expression in all aspects of development, to respond to environmental stress, or to defend against pathogen attack. This well-established master regulatory role for miRNAs has led to each protein-mediated step of both the plant and animal miRNA pathways being thoroughly characterized. Furthermore, this degree of characterization has led to the development of a suite of miRNA-based technologies for gene expression manipulation for fundamental research or for use in industrial or medical applications. In direct contrast, molecular research on the miRNA pathway of macroalgae, specifically seaweeds (marine macroalgae), remains in its infancy. However, the molecular research conducted to date on the seaweed miRNA pathway has shown that it shares functional features specific to either the plant or animal miRNA pathway. In addition, of the small number of seaweed species where miRNA data is available, little sequence conservation of individual miRNAs exists. These preliminary findings show the pressing need for substantive research into the seaweed miRNA pathway to advance our current understanding of this essential gene expression regulatory process. Such research will also generate the knowledge required to develop novel miRNA-based technologies for use in seaweeds. In this review, we compare and contrast the seaweed miRNA pathway to those well-characterized pathways of plants and animals and outline the low degree of miRNA sequence conservation across the polyphyletic group known as the seaweeds.
Details
- Title
- The microRNA Pathway of Macroalgae: Its Similarities and Differences to the Plant and Animal microRNA Pathways
- Authors
- Jessica Webb - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and EngineeringMin Zhao - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and EngineeringAlexandra H. Campbell - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - BiomedicineNicholas A. Paul - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and EngineeringScott F. Cummins - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and EngineeringAndrew L. Eamens (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - Biomedicine
- Publication details
- Genes, Vol.16(4), pp.1-33
- Publisher
- MDPI AG
- Date published
- 2025
- DOI
- 10.3390/genes16040442
- ISSN
- 2073-4425
- PMID
- 40282402
- Copyright note
- © 2025 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
- Data Availability
- All data discussed in this review are in the public domain.
- Grant note
- The initial experimental characterization of the miRNA population of Asparagopsis taxiformis was made possible by an award from the University of the Sunshine Coast internal funding schemes SPARK and LAUNCH.
- Organisation Unit
- School of Health - Biomedicine; Cancer Research Cluster; School of Science, Technology and Engineering; Centre for Bioinnovation
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991122005802621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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