MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNA molecules which down-regulate the expression of their target genes. MiRNAs play an important role in a number of biological processes such as plant development and plant adaptive responses to nutrient deprivation. Nitrogen is the most important nutrient for the growth of plants since it is required for protein and nucleic acids synthesis, and for the production of several compounds involved in a variety of functions. The tetraploid durum wheat is one of the oldest domesticated plants, falling among one of the most important cereals for human nutrition in the Mediterranean region. In spite of this, the identification of miRNAs and their function in this crop is still largely unknown. A limitation of nitrogen in durum wheat plants generally results in a reduction of the yield and of protein quality. In order to elucidate the role of miRNAs in durum wheat development and nitrogen metabolism, twelve small RNA libraries were generated from different tissues and developmental stages of Ciccio and Svevo cultivars growing under varying nitrogen supply conditions. Following high throughput sequencing, conserved and novel miRNAs were identified using custom script and their target transcripts were detected and annotated according to GO terms. Several miRNAs were expressed at different levels based on their abundance in Illumina libraries. Selected conserved and novel miRNAs were subjected to quantitative PCR, and for some of them significant differences in expression profiles were confirmed. Additionally, expression levels for the target genes of these regulated miRNAs were evaluated. Some miRNAs were predicted to regulate genes involved in plant development, in important biochemical processes such as photosynthesis, and in nitrogen metabolism. The knowledge about the role of miRNAs in plant development and nitrogen assimilation and storage may be used in breeding programs to improve nitrogen use efficiency in durum wheat. Financial support: Project PON01_01145 "Sviluppo tecnologico e innovazione per la sostenibilità e competitività della cerealicoltura meridionale - ISCOCEM"; Project PRIN 2010- 2011 "Identificazione e caratterizzazione di geni utili ad incrementare la produttività e sostenibilità del frumento duro"
MicroRNAOME expression in durum wheat: role in plant development and nitrogen metabolism
De Paola D;Zuluaga DL;Danzi D;Janni M;Sonnante G
2015
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNA molecules which down-regulate the expression of their target genes. MiRNAs play an important role in a number of biological processes such as plant development and plant adaptive responses to nutrient deprivation. Nitrogen is the most important nutrient for the growth of plants since it is required for protein and nucleic acids synthesis, and for the production of several compounds involved in a variety of functions. The tetraploid durum wheat is one of the oldest domesticated plants, falling among one of the most important cereals for human nutrition in the Mediterranean region. In spite of this, the identification of miRNAs and their function in this crop is still largely unknown. A limitation of nitrogen in durum wheat plants generally results in a reduction of the yield and of protein quality. In order to elucidate the role of miRNAs in durum wheat development and nitrogen metabolism, twelve small RNA libraries were generated from different tissues and developmental stages of Ciccio and Svevo cultivars growing under varying nitrogen supply conditions. Following high throughput sequencing, conserved and novel miRNAs were identified using custom script and their target transcripts were detected and annotated according to GO terms. Several miRNAs were expressed at different levels based on their abundance in Illumina libraries. Selected conserved and novel miRNAs were subjected to quantitative PCR, and for some of them significant differences in expression profiles were confirmed. Additionally, expression levels for the target genes of these regulated miRNAs were evaluated. Some miRNAs were predicted to regulate genes involved in plant development, in important biochemical processes such as photosynthesis, and in nitrogen metabolism. The knowledge about the role of miRNAs in plant development and nitrogen assimilation and storage may be used in breeding programs to improve nitrogen use efficiency in durum wheat. Financial support: Project PON01_01145 "Sviluppo tecnologico e innovazione per la sostenibilità e competitività della cerealicoltura meridionale - ISCOCEM"; Project PRIN 2010- 2011 "Identificazione e caratterizzazione di geni utili ad incrementare la produttività e sostenibilità del frumento duro"I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
