Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNA molecules which down-regulate theexpression of their target genes. MiRNAs play an important role in a number of biologicalprocesses such as plant development and plant adaptive responses to nutrient deprivation. Nitrogenis the most important nutrient for the growth of plants since it is required for protein and nucleicacids synthesis, and for the production of several compounds involved in a variety of functions.The tetraploid durum wheat is one of the oldest domesticated plants, falling among one of themost important cereals for human nutrition in the Mediterranean region. In spite of this, theidentification of miRNAs and their function in this crop is still largely unknown. A limitation ofnitrogen in durum wheat plants generally results in a reduction of the yield and of protein quality.In order to elucidate the role of miRNAs in durum wheat development and nitrogenmetabolism, twelve small RNA libraries were generated from different tissues and developmentalstages of Ciccio and Svevo cultivars growing under varying nitrogen supply conditions. Followinghigh throughput sequencing, conserved and novel miRNAs were identified using custom script andtheir target transcripts were detected and annotated according to GO terms. Several miRNAs wereexpressed at different levels based on their abundance in Illumina libraries. Selected conserved andnovel miRNAs were subjected to quantitative PCR, and for some of them significant differences inexpression profiles were confirmed. Additionally, expression levels for the target genes of theseregulated miRNAs were evaluated.Some miRNAs were predicted to regulate genes involved in plant development, in importantbiochemical processes such as photosynthesis, and in nitrogen metabolism.The knowledge about the role of miRNAs in plant development and nitrogen assimilation andstorage may be used in breeding programs to improve nitrogen use efficiency in durum wheat.Financial support: Project PON01_01145 "Sviluppo tecnologico e innovazione per lasostenibilità e competitività della cerealicoltura meridionale - ISCOCEM"; Project PRIN 2010-2011 "Identificazione e caratterizzazione di geni utili ad incrementare la produttività e sostenibilitàdel frumento duro

Autore Pugliese

• Sonnante Gabriella

Tutti gli autori

• De Paola D.; Zuluaga D.L.; Danzi D.; Janni M.; Sonnante G.

Titolo volume/Rivista

Non Disponibile

Anno di pubblicazione

2015

ISSN

Non Disponibile

ISBN

978-88-904570-5-0

Numero di citazioni Wos

Nessuna citazione

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Numero di citazioni Scopus

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Settori ERC

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Codici ASJC

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