Phosphate Deficiency: A Tale from the End of PILNCR2.

A deficiency in inorganic phosphate (Pi) induces the expression of miRNA399 and the accumulation of its target Pi transporters ( PHT1s ) mRNA, which is contrary to the goal of miRNA-mediated gene regulation. Recently, a novel mechanism of RNA/RNA-duplex formation between the transcripts of a Pi deficiency-induced long non-coding RNA ( PILNCR2 ) and PHT1s has been reported, which prevents the binding and cleavage of miRNA399 to PHT1 mRNAs, thereby providing tolerance of Pi-deficient conditions. Moreover, the way in which ribosomes move through the RNA/RNA-duplex for the translation of PHT1 transporter proteins remains elusive.