Functional analysis of the role(s) of microRNAs in the control of plant architecture and fruit development

• Grant number: 12/51146-2
• Support type: Regular Research Grants
• Duration: April 01, 2013 - September 30, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics - Plant Genetics
• Principal researcher: Fabio Tebaldi Silveira Nogueira
• Grantee: Fabio Tebaldi Silveira Nogueira
• Home Institution: Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Small regulatory RNAs or sRNAs (19-25 nt) regulate transcriptionally and posttranscriptionally gene expression in plants, modulating their transcriptome and proteome. Among these small RNAs, microRNAs (miRNAs) arise as key regulators of development, as observed phenotypically and molecularly in transgenic and mutant plants harboring genetic modifications in the miRNA pathways. MicroRNAs are generated from long single-strand RNA molecules (pri-miRNAs) that are processed by different enzymes to produce the mature miRNA. In plants, mature miRNA preferentially "guides" the cleavage of their mRNA targets. Transgenic as well as mutant plants ectopically expressing specific microRNAs and/or target genes show distinct and important modifications in plant architecture and development of reproductive organs. For instance, transgenic tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) cv. Micro-Tom (MT) plants overexpressing the microRNA156, generated by our research group display more axillary branches, higher biomass as well as modified flowers and navy-like fruits. Although it has been shown that this microRNA affects plant architecture, a genome-wide analysis of genetic/metabolic pathways modified by and that may interact with miR156-regulated pathway is lacking, mainly in economically important crops such as tomato. The combination of using available mutants and transgenic plants overexpressing microRNAs and/or miRNA-resistant versions of their gene targets, as well as the use of RNA next-generation sequencing techniques, allows detailed analyses of possible genetic/metabolic pathways that have been modified by regulatory RNAs and impact plant development. The identification and characterization of such pathways would contribute not only for our better knowledge about plant development, but also have potential applications in crop breeding. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

ORTIZ MOREA, EDNA GICELA; DA SILVA, EDER MARQUES; FERREIRA E SILVA, GERALDO FELIPE; VALENTE, GUILHERME TARGINO; BARRERA ROJAS, CARLOS HERNAN; VINCENTZ, MICHEL; SIVEIRA NOGUEIRA, FABIO TEBALDI. Functional and evolutionary analyses of the miR156 and miR529 families in land plants. BMC PLANT BIOLOGY, v. 16, FEB 3 2016. Web of Science Citations: 30.

FERREIRA E SILVA, GERALDO FELIPE; SILVA, EDER MARQUES; AZEVEDO, MARIANA DA SILVA; CORAZON GUIVIN, MIKE ANDERSON; RAMIRO, DANIEL ALVES; FIGUEIREDO, CASSIA REGINA; CARRER, HELAINE; PEREIRA PERES, LAZARO EUSTAQUIO; SILVEIRA NOGUEIRA, FABIO TEBALDI. microRNA156-targeted SPL/ SBP box transcription factors regulate tomato ovary and fruit development. Plant Journal, v. 78, n. 4, p. 604-618, MAY 2014. Web of Science Citations: 71.