Integrative Analysis of tRNA-Derived Fragments in Plant Adaptation to Biotic Stress: A Comparative Study and Database

Plants face significant challenges from biotic stresses, that adversely impact their growth and development. Amongst the various regulatory molecules, transfer RNA-derived fragments (tRFs) play crucial roles in modulating adaptive defense mechanisms. Although the role of tRFs in response to biotic stresses is still emerging, it is evident that different biotic stressors elicit distinct regulatory pathways. This study investigates the involvement of tRFs in stress response and resistance across three plant species: Arabidopsis thaliana, Oryza sativa, and Solanum lycopersicum. Our findings reveal a complex regulatory network where tRFs interact with mRNA targets, miRNAs, and transposable elements, underscoring their significance in adaptive biotic stress responses. This research advances the understanding of tRF regulatory mechanisms and lays the foundation for new strategies to enhance resilience against biotic stress. The database supporting this study is freely accessible at http://www.nipgr.ac.in/PbtRFdb, providing a valuable resource for further research on the tRFs in plant biotic stress responses.