Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 9, 2025
08:59
Plant-Microbe Interaction: Transcriptional Response of Bacillus Mycoides to Potato Root Exudates
Published on: July 2, 2018
12.5K
Rhizospheric miRNAs affect the plant microbiota.
Harriet Middleton1,2, Jessica Ann Dozois2, Cécile Monard1
1Écosystèmes, Biodiversité, Évolution (ECOBIO), Unité mixte de recherche (UMR) 6553, Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS) - Université de Rennes, Campus Beaulieu, 263 Avenue du Général Leclerc, Rennes, 35042, France.
ISME Communications
|October 30, 2024
Summary
Plant microRNAs (miRNAs) are found in the rhizosphere and can alter bacterial gene expression and microbial community composition. These findings suggest plant miRNAs are key regulators of the soil microbiome.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology
- Plant Science
Background:
- Small ribonucleic acids (RNAs), including microRNAs (miRNAs), are crucial for inter-kingdom communication.
- Plant miRNAs have been detected regulating gene expression in gut microbiota and may influence rhizosphere microbes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence of plant miRNAs in the rhizosphere of model plants.
- To determine if these plant miRNAs affect rhizosphere microbiota composition and function.
Main Methods:
- Detection of plant miRNAs in the rhizosphere of *Arabidopsis thaliana* and *Brachypodium distachyon*.
- Analysis of bacterial uptake of synthetic miRNAs and transcriptomic responses.
- Assessment of microbial community shifts in response to plant miRNA manipulation and in vitro exposure.
Main Results:
- Plant miRNAs were identified in the rhizosphere and associated with bacteria.
- *Variovorax paradoxus* exhibited transcriptomic changes upon exposure to plant miRNAs, unlike *Bacillus mycoides*.
- Shifts in rhizosphere bacterial communities were observed in *Arabidopsis* mutants affecting small RNA pathways or overexpressing miRNAs.
Conclusions:
- Plant miRNAs are present in the rhizosphere and can modulate the gene expression of resident bacteria.
- Plant-derived miRNAs contribute to shaping the rhizosphere microbial assembly.
- This study highlights a novel mechanism of plant-microbe interaction mediated by small RNAs.
Related Concept Videos
02:11The Roles of Bacteria and Fungi in Plant Nutrition
35.1K
Plants have the impressive ability to create their own food through photosynthesis. However, plants often require assistance from organisms in the soil to acquire the nutrients they need to function correctly. Both bacteria and fungi have evolved symbiotic relationships with plants that help the species to thrive in a wide variety of environments.
35.1K
01:22MicroRNAs
3.0K
MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns (non-coding regions of a gene) or intergenic regions (stretches of DNA present between genes). Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself, forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA...
3.0K
01:30Environmental Applications of Microorganisms
2
Microorganisms play a pivotal role in maintaining ecosystem balance by recycling essential elements such as carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus, as well as supporting processes like bioremediation, wastewater treatment, and biofuel production.Microbes in Elemental CyclesIn the carbon cycle, microorganisms decompose organic matter, releasing carbon dioxide via aerobic respiration. This carbon dioxide is subsequently used by photosynthetic organisms to synthesize organic compounds, closing the...
2
01:27Microorganisms in Agriculture and Food industry
2
Microorganisms play a crucial role in agriculture and the food industry, contributing to soil fertility, crop protection, and food production. Their functions range from nitrogen fixation and biopesticide production to fermentation and food preservation, making them indispensable to sustainable farming and food safety.Role in AgricultureNitrogen-fixing bacteria, such as Rhizobium (symbiotic) and Azotobacter (free-living), convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia through biological nitrogen...
2
01:29Fungal Group Zygomycota
Zygomycota, previously classified as a distinct fungal group, are primarily terrestrial, saprophytic molds that play a crucial role as decomposers. Recent phylogenetic studies have revealed that these fungi are now divided into two major clades — Mucoromycota, which includes many symbiotic species, and Zoopagomycota, which primarily consists of parasitic and pathogenic fungi. These groups exhibit distinct ecological roles and reproductive strategies while sharing key structural and...
01:56Riboswitches
8.1K
Riboswitches are non-coding mRNA domains that regulate the transcription and translation of downstream genes without the help of proteins. Riboswitches bind directly to a metabolite and can form unique stem-loop or hairpin structures in response to the amount of the metabolite present. They have two distinct regions – a metabolite-binding aptamer and an expression platform.
The aptamer has high specificity for a particular metabolite which allows riboswitches to specifically regulate...
The aptamer has high specificity for a particular metabolite which allows riboswitches to specifically regulate...
8.1K