Lan Yu1, Rongkai Guo2, Yeqin Jiang1, Xinghuo Ye1, Zhihong Yang1, Yijun Meng3, Chaogang Shao4. 1. College of Life Sciences, Huzhou University, NO.1 Xueshi Road, Huzhou, 313000, P.R. China. 2. Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China. 3. College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Xuelin Street 16#, Xiasha, Hangzhou, 310036, P. R. China. mengyijun@zju.edu.cn. 4. College of Life Sciences, Huzhou University, NO.1 Xueshi Road, Huzhou, 313000, P.R. China. shaocg@zjhu.edu.cn.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The microRNAs(miRNA)-derived secondary phased small interfering RNAs (phasiRNAs) participate in post-transcriptional gene silencing and play important roles in various bio-processes in plants. In rice, two miRNAs, miR2118 and miR2275, were mainly responsible for triggering of 21-nt and 24-nt phasiRNAs biogenesis, respectively. However, relative fewer phasiRNA biogenesis pathways have been discovered in rice compared to other plant species, which limits the comprehensive understanding of phasiRNA biogenesis and the miRNA-derived regulatory network. RESULTS: In this study, we performed a systematical searching for phasiRNA biogenesis pathways in rice. As a result, five novel 21-nt phasiRNA biogenesis pathways and five novel 24-nt phasiRNA biogenesis pathways were identified. Further investigation of their regulatory function revealed that eleven novel phasiRNAs in 21-nt length recognized forty-one target genes. Most of these genes were involved in the growth and development of rice. In addition, five novel 24-nt phasiRNAs targeted to the promoter of an OsCKI1 gene and thereafter resulted in higher level of methylation in panicle, which implied their regulatory function in transcription of OsCKI1,which acted as a regulator of rice development. CONCLUSIONS: These results substantially extended the information of phasiRNA biogenesis pathways and their regulatory function in rice.
BACKGROUND: The microRNAs(miRNA)-derived secondary phased small interfering RNAs (phasiRNAs) participate in post-transcriptional gene silencing and play important roles in various bio-processes in plants. In rice, two miRNAs, miR2118 and miR2275, were mainly responsible for triggering of 21-nt and 24-nt phasiRNAs biogenesis, respectively. However, relative fewer phasiRNA biogenesis pathways have been discovered in rice compared to other plant species, which limits the comprehensive understanding of phasiRNA biogenesis and the miRNA-derived regulatory network. RESULTS: In this study, we performed a systematical searching for phasiRNA biogenesis pathways in rice. As a result, five novel 21-nt phasiRNA biogenesis pathways and five novel 24-nt phasiRNA biogenesis pathways were identified. Further investigation of their regulatory function revealed that eleven novel phasiRNAs in 21-nt length recognized forty-one target genes. Most of these genes were involved in the growth and development of rice. In addition, five novel 24-nt phasiRNAs targeted to the promoter of an OsCKI1 gene and thereafter resulted in higher level of methylation in panicle, which implied their regulatory function in transcription of OsCKI1,which acted as a regulator of rice development. CONCLUSIONS: These results substantially extended the information of phasiRNA biogenesis pathways and their regulatory function in rice.