Revisiting plant response to fungal stress in view of long noncoding RNAs

Fungal phytopathogens pose a lurking hazard to crops during both pre- and postharvest phases, resulting in severe economic losses. Plants respond to fungal stress (biotrophic or necrotrophic) by activating defense mechanisms that are primarily centered around protein kinases, reactive oxygen species, pathogenesis-related proteins, phytohormones, transcription factors, and miRNAs. However, owing to the advances in sequencing technology, long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have also been identified as potent nodes in the plant antifungal defense networks. In this chapter, we have documented the identification and characterization of plant-fungal stress-responsive lncRNAs. Moreover, their potential in fine-tuning transcriptional reprogramming to delay or seize pathogen growth has been discussed. It is interesting how further studies on lncRNAs could deepen our insight into plant-pathogen interactions and provide novel candidates for breeding to enhance fungal stress resistance.