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Generally, lncPEPs (peptides encoded by long non-coding RNAs) have been identified in many plant species of several families and in some animal species. Importantly, molecular mechanisms of the miPEPs (peptides encoded by primary microRNAs, pri-miRNAs) are often poorly understood in different flowering plants. Requirement for the additional studies in these directions is highlighted by alternative findings concerning positive regulation of pri-miRNA/miRNA expression by synthetic miPEPs in plants. Further extensive studies are also needed to understand the full set of their roles in eukaryotic organisms. This review mainly aims to consider the available data on the regulatory functions of the synthetic miPEPs. Studies of chemically synthesized miPEPs and analyzing the fine molecular mechanisms of their functional activities are reviewed. Brief description of the studies to identify lncORFs (open reading frames of long non-coding RNAs) and the encoded protein products is also provided.

In this work a primary structural analysis has been carried out and biological properties of protein-peptide extract from lamb’s quarters ( Chenopodium album L.) were studied. It has been shown that the obtained enriched concentrate displayed potent fungicidal properties towards a number of phytopathogenic (Fusarium oxysporum, Thielaviopsisbasicola) and opportunistic fungi (Aspergillus spp.) at a quantitative level comparable with the effect of commercial antifungal drugs, at the same time possessing moderate antibacterial properties (Escherichiacoli, Bacillussubtilus) not associated with ribosome-inactivating activity. When studying the analgesic activity of this extract in acute pain models («hot water», «hot plate», and «electro stimulation»), it demonstrated activity in a wide range of active concentrations and at the same time their effect was manifested both at the spinal and supraspinal levels of pain sensitivity. The primary structural characteristic of the total fractions of the active extract based on mass spectrometry analysis revealed a set of compounds in a wide range of molecular masses (1.9-12.5 kDa), and protein chemical base of some of them has been confirmed by a combination of spectrophotometric analysis and N-terminal Edman sequencing. The totality of the data obtained allows positioning of the lamb’s quarters’ seeds as a rich source of biologically active polypeptides with antibiotic and analgesic properties.