Crosstalk Between ncRNAs and Stress Signaling Pathways Unmasking the Regulatory Networks

Plants are continuously exposed to a wide array of environmental stressors, including drought, extreme temperatures, salinity, and pathogen attacks, which can significantly impede their growth, development and productivity. To navigate these challenges, plants have evolved intricate regulatory mechanisms, prominently featuring non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) that modulate gene expression in response to stress. This chapter delves into the crosstalk between ncRNAs and stress signaling pathways in plants, elucidating how ncRNAs such as microRNAs (miRNAs), small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) regulate stress responses. By influencing the expression and activity of key stress receptors, signal transducers and transcription factors, ncRNAs play crucial roles in plant adaptation to environmental stresses. Through a detailed examination of specific ncRNA functions and their regulatory networks, we highlight the potential of ncRNA-based biotechnological applications in enhancing crop resilience. Understanding the interplay between ncRNAs and stress pathways not only deepens our knowledge of plant biology but also offers promising strategies for developing stress-tolerant crops, essential for sustainable agriculture in the face of climate change.