MicroRNA-directed regulation: to cleave or not to cleave

Gene expression is regulated by transcriptional and post-transcriptional pathways, which are crucial for optimizing gene output and for coordinating cellular programs. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression networks necessary for proper development, cell viability and stress responses. In plants and animals, 20–24-nt miRNAs direct cleavage and translational repression of partially complementary mRNA target transcripts, through conserved ARGONAUTE proteins. In plants, certain miRNAs indirectly regulate developmental programs by instigating the production of small interfering RNAs (siRNAs). In addition, non-cleavable plant miRNA targets sequester miRNAs, thus regulating miRNA availability. This review summarizes the complexities and diversity of plant miRNA-directed gene regulatory mechanisms and highlights the use of miRNAs for the specific knockdown of gene expression in plants.