miR2118-dependent U-rich phasiRNA production in rice anther wall development
Saori Araki1, Ngoc Tu Le2, Koji Koizumi3
1Science and Technology Group, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST), 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Okinawa, 904-0495, Japan.
Nature Communications
|June 21, 2020
Summary
Loss of microRNA2118 (miR2118) in rice causes sterility due to anther defects. This study reveals miR2118
Area of Science:
- Plant reproduction
- Small RNA biology
- Molecular genetics
Background:
- Small RNAs, including microRNAs (miRNAs) and phased small interfering RNAs (phasiRNAs), are crucial for reproductive development in plants.
- MicroRNA2118 (miR2118) is a conserved miRNA known to trigger phasiRNA production.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the function of miR2118 in rice reproduction by analyzing mutants lacking the miR2118 cluster.
- To elucidate the role of miR2118-dependent phasiRNAs in anther development and fertility.
Main Methods:
- Generation and analysis of rice mutants with large deletions in the miR2118 cluster.
- Small RNA sequencing (profiling) to identify and quantify phasiRNAs in different anther tissues.
- Morphological and developmental assessment of reproductive organs in mutant and wild-type rice.
Main Results:
- Rice mutants lacking the miR2118 cluster exhibited severe male and female sterility.
- Significant morphological and developmental abnormalities were observed in somatic anther wall cells of the mutants.
- Small RNA profiling revealed distinct, U-rich, 21-nucleotide (nt) phasiRNAs in the anther wall, dependent on miR2118.
- These anther wall phasiRNAs differ from those found in germ cells.
- Evidence suggests Argonaute proteins OsAGO1b/OsAGO1d are involved in the biogenesis of miR2118-dependent 21-nt phasiRNAs in the anther wall.
Conclusions:
- miR2118 is essential for normal anther wall development and rice reproduction.
- The study highlights site-specific differences in phasiRNA production and function between somatic anther wall and germ cells.
- miR2118 and its dependent U-rich phasiRNAs play a critical role in regulating anther development and ensuring fertility in rice.
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