Rice Genomics and Genetics 2025, Vol.16, No.4, 211-218 http://cropscipublisher.com/index.php/rgg 211 Review Article Open Access The Role of lncRNAs in Flowering Time Regulation in Rice Deshan Huang, Ruchun Chen, Dapeng Zhang Hier Rice Research Center, Hainan Institute of Tropical Agricultural Resources, Sanya, 572025, Hainan, China Corresponding email: dapeng.zhang@hitar.org Rice Genomics and Genetics, 2025, Vol.16, No.4 doi: 10.5376/rgg.2025.16.0018 Received: 10 Jun., 2025 Accepted: 23 Jul., 2025 Published: 10 Aug., 2025 Copyright © 2025 Huang et al., This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Huang D.S., Chen R.C., and Zhang D.P., 2025, The role of lncRNAs in flowering time regulation in rice, Rice Genomics and Genetics, 16(4): 211-218 (doi: 10.5376/rgg.2025.16.0018) Abstract Flowering time is an important developmental trait of rice (Oryza sativa L.), which directly affects yield potential, environmental adaptability and geographical distribution. Recent studies have shown that long non-coding Rnas (lncrnas) play a significant role in the precise regulation of flowering time through multiple genetic and epigenetic pathways. This study reviews the molecular mechanisms regulating the flowering time of rice, including photoperiod, vernalization, and hormone signaling pathways, and focuses on the diverse roles played by lncrnas in these processes, such as regulating the expression of transcription factor genes, acting as competitive endogenous Rnas (cernas), and participating in chromatin remodeling, etc. Typical lncRNA cases related to photoperiodic sensitivity, hormone response and environmental adaptability were selected to elaborate on their mechanism of action in flowering regulation. In addition, the application potential of lncrNa-based molecular breeding strategies in optimizing flowering time was also explored, especially in the context of breeding demands under the background of climate change. This study aims to provide a systematic summary of the research on lncRNA regulation of rice flowering time, propose future research directions for improving rice yield and adaptability, and offer theoretical references and practical basis for enhancing rice yield and adaptability. Keywords lncRNA; Rice; Regulation of flowering time; Photoperiodic pathway; Molecular breeding 1 Introduction Flowering time is an important factor for rice yield and adaptability. It will directly affect the yield and also influence the growth performance of the plants in different environments. The appropriate flowering time can make the reproductive development of rice match the local climatic conditions. If the flowering time is not appropriate, it may lead to a decrease in yield and also reduce its adaptability to the local agricultural environment (Wang et al., 2018). As climate change becomes increasingly evident, understanding and regulating the flowering time is of great significance for ensuring rice yields and food security. The molecular regulation of rice flowering time involves many genes, transcription factors and epigenetic mechanisms. Key genes such as OsMADS56, Hd3a and RFT1 integrate environmental signals to control the transition of plants from vegetative growth to reproductive growth (Shin et al., 2022). Recent studies have found that long non-coding Rnas (lncrnas) also play an important role in these regulatory pathways. lncRNA is over 200 nucleotides in length and does not encode proteins. They can act as molecular scaffolds, lures or guides to influence gene expression through chromatin modification, transcriptional interference and interaction with micrornas (Gao et al., 2020; Zhou et al., 2021). For instance, the intron lncRNA RIFLA inhibits OsMADS56, thereby promoting early flowering; Some lncrnas bind to histone modification proteins or act as endogenous target mimics to regulate gene expression during development (Wang et al., 2021). These findings indicate that lncRNA is becoming increasingly important in the regulation of plant development, including flowering timing. This study will summarize the research progress of lncRNA in regulating the flowering time of rice, explain the molecular interaction mechanisms between them and known flowering pathways, explore their potential applications in rice breeding, and also analyze future research directions and challenges. This study combines the achievements of molecular genetics and functional genomics, emphasizing the significance of lncRNA as a potential target for crop improvement and sustainable agriculture, with the hope of providing references for increasing yields and enhancing the climate adaptability of rice.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjQ4ODYzNA==