Arabidopsis RBV is a conserved WD40 repeat protein that promotes microRNA biogenesis and ARGONAUTE1 loading

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play crucial roles in gene expression regulation through RNA cleavage or translation repression. Here, we report the identification of an evolutionarily conserved WD40 domain protein as a player in miRNA biogenesis in Arabidopsis thaliana. A mutation in the REDUCTION IN BLEACHED VEIN AREA (RBV) gene encoding a WD40 domain protein led to the suppression of leaf bleaching caused by an artificial miRNA; the mutation also led to a global reduction in the accumulation of endogenous miRNAs. The nuclear protein RBV promotes the transcription of MIR genes into pri-miRNAs by enhancing the occupancy of RNA polymerase II (Pol II) at MIR gene promoters. RBV also promotes the loading of miRNAs into AGO1. In addition, RNA-seq revealed a global splicing defect in the mutant. Thus, this evolutionarily conserved, nuclear WD40 domain protein acts in miRNA biogenesis and RNA splicing.