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DICER-LIKE1a autoregulation based on intronic microRNA processing is required for stress adaptation in Physcomitrium
M Asif Arif1, Oguz Top1, Erika Csicsely1
1Plant Molecular Cell Biology, Department Biology I, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, LMU Biocenter, Großhaderner Straße 2-4, Planegg-Martinsried, 82152, Germany.
The Plant Journal : for Cell and Molecular Biology
|November 7, 2021
Summary
A novel autoregulatory feedback loop involving microRNA (miRNA) miR1047 and the Dicer protein PpDCL1a in Physcomitrium patens was identified. This mechanism is crucial for regulating gene expression and adapting to environmental stresses like salt.
Area of Science:
- Plant Molecular Biology
- Gene Regulation
- Stress Response
Background:
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulators of gene expression in plants.
- The biogenesis of miRNAs involves the DICER-LIKE1 (DCL1) protein.
- A proposed autoregulatory mechanism for PpDCL1a involves an intronic miRNA (miR1047) and pre-mRNA splicing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To functionally analyze the proposed autoregulatory feedback control of PpDCL1a in Physcomitrium patens.
- To investigate the impact of this autoregulation on miRNA biogenesis and stress adaptation.
- To understand the role of miR1047 in controlling PpDCL1a transcript abundance.
Main Methods:
- Precise deletion of the intron containing MIR1047 to abolish autoregulation.
- Transcriptome analyses to assess miRNA and mRNA expression changes.
- Rescue experiments using a modified intron with an artificial miRNA.
Main Results:
- Deletion of the intron led to hypersensitivity to salt stress and hyposensitivity to ABA.
- Loss of autoregulation resulted in disturbed miRNA and mRNA expression.
- Re-insertion of a modified intron rescued the observed phenotypic and molecular changes.
Conclusions:
- The miR1047-based feedback control of PpDCL1a transcript abundance is physiologically important.
- This autoregulation is critical for controlling miRNA expression and salt stress adaptation.
- The findings suggest a key role for this autoregulation in land plant adaptation to terrestrial environments.
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