Abstract i List of content ii List of Tables and figures iv Abbreviations v I. INTRODUCTION 1 1.1. Introduction of leaf senescence 1 1.2. Introduction of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) 1 1.3. Classification of lncRNA in genomic context 2 1.3.1. Characteristics of antisense lncRNA 2 1.3.2. Characteristics of lincRNA 3 1.4. Structural features of lncRNAs 3 1.5. Regulation of lncRNAs 5 1.5.1. Regulation of lncRNA in the nucleus 5 1.5.2. Regulation of lncRNA in the cytoplasm 6 1.6. Objectives 8 II. MATERIALS AND METHODS 9 2.1. Plant Materials and Growth Conditions. 9 2.2. Age/Stress- induced leaf senescence assay. 9 2.3. RNA isolation and gene expression analysis 9 III. RESULTS 10 3.1. Identification of senescence-associated lncRNAs (SALNRs) in Arabidopsis 10 3.1.1. Selection of SALNRs from RNA-seq database based on their expression 10 3.1.2. Isolation of knockout mutants of SALNRs. 10 3.1.4. Examination of the senescence phenotype (age, stress-induced senescence) of SALNRs in leaf yellowing phenotype and Fv/Fm ratio compared with Col-0 12 3.1.5. Selection of SALNR4, SALNR5 for further study 14 3.2. Characterization of the function of SALNR4, SALNR5 18 3.2.1. Confirmation of the senescence phenotype of salnr4, salnr5 mutants 18 ⅠV. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION 27 4.1. Discussion 27 4.2. Conclusion 30 References 31 Summary 38 Acknowledgement 40 Curriculum Vitae 41