In collaboration with Payame Noor University and Iranian Biotechnology Society

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 PhD Student, Department of Crop Biotechnology and Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University Of Mashhad

2 Professor, Department of Crop Biotechnology and Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.

3 Associate Professor, Department of Genomics, Agricultural Biotechnology Research Institute of Iran (ABRII), Karaj, Iran,

4 Assistant Professor, Department of Crop Biotechnology and Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.

5 Assistant Professor, Department of Molecular Physiology, Agricultural Biotechnology Research Institute of Iran (ABRII), Karaj, Iran.

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play important roles in numerous processes in plants including development, tissue proliferation, differentiation, hormone signaling and responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. SPL, the plant-specific transcription factors, are regulated by miRNAs and play important roles in several processes including tissue development, response to biotic and abiotic stress and induction of several other transcription factors and membrane proteins. In this study we selected miRNAs that regulate SPL transcription factors expression in rice. Later, the differential expression of these miRNAs are evaluated using qRT-PCR and Stem-loop primers. Results of shoot differential expression under drought stress showed that miR529 was down-regulated but conversely, miR535 was up-regulated. However, significant differential expression of miR156 was not observed in our study. Likewise, root differential expression under drought condition showed up-regulation of miR535, but miR529 and miR156 did not show any significant differential expression. Although all of these miRNAs are involved in regulating the expression of the same genes, but their diverse differential expressions highlight the complexity of gene-regulatory networks in various environmental conditions. Based on results of this study, it can be suggested that compared to miR535, miR156 and miR529 play more important roles in regulating the development and flowering process via controlling SPL transcription factors whereas, miR535, miR529 and relatively lesser miR156 are responsible for SPL transcription factor regulation under stress.

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