1. A miR169 isoform regulates specific NF-YA targets and root architecture in Arabidopsis.
- Author
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Sorin C, Declerck M, Christ A, Blein T, Ma L, Lelandais-Brière C, Njo MF, Beeckman T, Crespi M, and Hartmann C
- Subjects
- Arabidopsis cytology, Arabidopsis growth & development, Arabidopsis Proteins metabolism, CCAAT-Binding Factor metabolism, Gene Expression, Genes, Reporter, Meristem cytology, Meristem genetics, Meristem growth & development, MicroRNAs metabolism, Phenotype, Plant Roots cytology, Plant Roots genetics, Plant Roots growth & development, Plants, Genetically Modified, RNA Isoforms, RNA, Plant genetics, RNA, Plant metabolism, Arabidopsis genetics, Arabidopsis Proteins genetics, CCAAT-Binding Factor genetics, Gene Expression Regulation, Plant, MicroRNAs genetics
- Abstract
In plants, roots are essential for water and nutrient acquisition. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate their target mRNAs by transcript cleavage and/or inhibition of protein translation and are known as major post-transcriptional regulators of various developmental pathways and stress responses. In Arabidopsis thaliana, four isoforms of miR169 are encoded by 14 different genes and target diverse mRNAs, encoding subunits A of the NF-Y transcription factor complex. These miRNA isoforms and their targets have previously been linked to nutrient signalling in plants. By using mimicry constructs against different isoforms of miR169 and miR-resistant versions of NF-YA genes we analysed the role of specific miR169 isoforms in root growth and branching. We identified a regulatory node involving the particular miR169defg isoform and NF-YA2 and NF-YA10 genes that acts in the control of primary root growth. The specific expression of MIM169defg constructs altered specific cell type numbers and dimensions in the root meristem. Preventing miR169defg-regulation of NF-YA2 indirectly affected laterial root initiation. We also showed that the miR169defg isoform affects NF-YA2 transcripts both at mRNA stability and translation levels. We propose that a specific miR169 isoform and the NF-YA2 target control root architecture in Arabidopsis., (© 2014 The Authors. New Phytologist © 2014 New Phytologist Trust.)
- Published
- 2014
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