Alternative splicing: An efficient regulatory approach towards plant developmental plasticity

Alternative splicing (AS) is a gene regulatory mechanism that plants adapt to modulate gene expression (GE) in multiple ways. AS generates alternative isoforms of the same gene following various development and environmental stimuli, increasing transcriptome plasticity and proteome complexity. AS controls the expression levels of certain genes and regulates GE networks that shape plant adaptations through nonsense-mediated decay (NMD). This review intends to discuss AS modulation, from interaction with noncoding RNAs to the established roles of splicing factors (SFs) in response to endogenous and exogenous cues. We aim to gather such studies that highlight the magnitude and impact of AS, which are not always clear from individual articles, when AS is increasing in individual genes and at a global level. This work also anticipates making plant researchers know that AS is likely to occur in their investigations and that dynamic changes in AS and their effects must be frequently considered. We also review our understanding of AS-mediated posttranscriptional modulation of plant stress tolerance and discuss its potential application in crop improvement in the future.This article is categorized under:RNA Processing > Splicing Regulation/Alternative SplicingRNA Processing > Splicing MechanismsRNA-Based Catalysis > RNA Catalysis in Splicing and Translation

Automated summary

Alternative splicing is a gene regulatory mechanism in plants that modulates gene expression through generating alternative isoforms. This review discusses the modulation of alternative splicing, from its interaction with noncoding RNAs to the roles of splicing factors in response to different stimuli. It emphasizes the importance of considering the dynamic changes in alternative splicing in plant research.