Functions of miRNAs in Rice

As rice is both an important crop and a well-developed model for monocotyledonous plants, the study of miRNAs and their functions in this species is an active area of research. In this chapter, we summarize the progress that has been made in identifying miRNAs and their targets in rice. The identified miRNAs and their target mRNAs suggest that miRNAs function in a wide range of biological processes. The expression patterns of the miRNAs support their roles not only in development but also in response to environmental stresses. Demonstrations of biological functions for rice miRNAs are beginning to emerge and are detailed in this chapter.