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Updated: Jun 5, 2026
Potato Virus X-Based microRNA Silencing (VbMS) In Potato.
Published on: May 11, 2020
Microarray-based identification of tomato microRNAs and time course analysis of their response to Cucumber mosaic
Qiu-lei Lang1, Xiao-chuan Zhou, Xiao-lin Zhang
1College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
Abstract:
A large number of plant microRNAs (miRNAs) are now documented in the miRBase, among which only 30 are for Solanum lycopersicum (tomato). Clearly, there is a far-reaching need to identify and profile the expression of miRNAs in this important crop under various physiological and pathological conditions. In this study, we used an in situ synthesized custom microarray of plant miRNAs to examine the expression and temporal presence of miRNAs in the leaves of tomato plants infected with Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV). Following computational sequence homology search and hairpin structure prediction, we identified three novel tomato miRNA precursor genes. Our results also show that, in accordance with the phenotype of the developing leaves, the tomato miRNAs are differentially expressed at different stages of plant development and that CMV infection can induce or suppress the expression of miRNAs as well as up-regulate some star miRNAs (miRNA*s) which are normally present at much lower levels. The results indicate that developmental anomalies elicited by virus infection may be caused by more complex biological processes.
Insights
This study identified novel tomato microRNAs (miRNAs) and profiled their expression in developing leaves. Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) infection altered miRNA expression, suggesting complex viral-induced developmental changes in tomato plants.
Area of Science:
- Plant molecular biology
- Virology
- Genomics
Background:
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play crucial roles in plant development and stress responses.
- Limited miRNA information exists for Solanum lycopersicum (tomato), necessitating further investigation.
- Understanding miRNA expression is vital for crop improvement and disease resistance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and profile novel tomato microRNAs (miRNAs).
- To investigate the impact of Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) infection on miRNA expression in tomato leaves.
- To explore the role of miRNAs in virus-induced developmental anomalies.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a custom in situ synthesized microarray for plant miRNA expression profiling.
- Analyzed miRNA expression in tomato leaves at different developmental stages and upon CMV infection.
- Employed computational sequence homology search and hairpin structure prediction for novel miRNA identification.
Main Results:
- Identified three novel tomato miRNA precursor genes.
- Demonstrated differential expression of tomato miRNAs during plant development.
- Observed CMV infection-induced modulation of miRNA and miRNA* expression, including up-regulation of some miRNA*s.
Conclusions:
- Virus infection significantly impacts miRNA expression profiles in tomato.
- Altered miRNA expression may contribute to developmental abnormalities observed in virus-infected plants.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the complex biological mechanisms underlying virus-host interactions at the miRNA level.
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