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miRNA778 and SUVH6 are involved in phosphate homeostasis in Arabidopsis

Lei Wang1, Hou Qing ZengJ2, Jun Song1

  • 1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Science, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.

Plant Science : an International Journal of Experimental Plant Biology
|August 11, 2015
PubMed

Insights

microRNAs (miRNAs) regulate plant adaptation to phosphate starvation. This study shows miR778 enhances root growth and phosphate uptake by targeting SUVH6, a histone methyltransferase, improving plant Pi homeostasis.

Area of Science:

  • Plant Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Epigenetics

Background:

  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are crucial for plant adaptation to environmental stresses, including phosphate (Pi) deficiency.
  • Histone methylation is a key epigenetic mechanism that regulates chromatin structure and gene expression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify and characterize Pi-responsive miRNAs in Arabidopsis.
  • To investigate the role of miR778 and its target gene SUVH6 in plant response to Pi starvation.
  • To elucidate the involvement of histone methylation in Pi homeostasis.

Main Methods:

  • Identification of Pi-responsive miRNAs in Arabidopsis.
  • Gene expression analysis of miR778 and its target SUVH6.
  • Generation and phenotypic analysis of transgenic Arabidopsis plants overexpressing miR778 or a miR778-target mimic.
  • Analysis of root growth, phosphate content, and anthocyanin accumulation.

Main Results:

  • Arabidopsis miR778 was identified as a Pi-responsive miRNA targeting SUVH6, a histone H3 lysine 9 (H3K9) methyltransferase.
  • Overexpression of miR778 enhanced root growth, shoot phosphate content, and anthocyanin accumulation under Pi deficiency.
  • miR778 overexpression also relieved developmental arrest in columella cells and upregulated Pi-responsive genes (e.g., miR399, PHT1;4, LPR1, PAP1).
  • Conversely, plants overexpressing a miR778-target mimic exhibited opposite phenotypes.

Conclusions:

  • miR778 plays a significant role in regulating plant adaptation to phosphate deficiency.
  • SUVH6, targeted by miR778, is involved in modulating phosphate homeostasis through epigenetic mechanisms.
  • This study provides insights into the epigenetic regulation of plant responses to nutrient stress.
Keywords:
Chromatin remodelingMicroRNA778Phosphate homeostasisSUVH6

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