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Published on: May 11, 2020
Multiple Mobile mRNA Signals Regulate Tuber Development in Potato.
David J Hannapel1, Anjan K Banerjee2
1Plant Biology Major, 253 Horticulture Hall, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011-1100, USA. djh@iastate.edu.
Potato plants use mobile messenger RNAs (mRNAs) to control tuber growth. Specific mRNAs moving through the phloem act as signals, with some promoting growth and others inhibiting it, demonstrating a complex regulatory system.
Area of Science:
- Plant biology
- Molecular biology
- Genetics
Background:
- The sieve element system transports signals, including full-length mRNAs, for environmental response and development.
- In potato, mobile mRNAs encoding transcription factors (TALE superfamily) move via phloem to regulate growth and tuber formation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of mobile mRNAs in regulating potato growth and tuber development.
- To identify specific mobile mRNAs involved in activating and repressing tuber formation.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of phloem-mobile mRNAs in potato.
- Identification of TALE superfamily transcription factors.
- Study of RNA-binding proteins facilitating RNA transport.
Main Results:
- Three mobile mRNAs (StBEL5, StBEL11, StBEL29) regulate potato growth and tuberization.
- StBEL5 activates growth, while StBEL11 and StBEL29 antagonistically repress StBEL5 target genes.
- RNA transport is enhanced by short-day conditions and polypyrimidine tract-binding proteins.
Conclusions:
- Potato utilizes a long-distance signaling system with mobile mRNAs to control underground organ development.
- Closely-linked, phloem-mobile mRNAs function as activators or repressors in a dynamic signaling pathway for tuber development.
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