title: MicroRNA319 positively regulates cold tolerance by targeting OsPCF6 and OsTCP21 in rice (Oryza sativa L.).
abstract: The microRNA319 (miR319) family is conserved among diverse plant species. In rice (Oryza sativa L.), the miR319 gene family is comprised of two members, Osa-miR319a and Osa-miR319b. We found that overexpressing Osa-miR319b in rice resulted in wider leaf blades and delayed development. Here, we focused on the biological function and potential molecular mechanism of the Osa-miR319b gene in response to cold stress in rice. The expression of Osa-miR319b was down-regulated by cold stress, and the overexpression of Osa-miR319b led to an enhanced tolerance to cold stress, as evidenced by higher survival rates and proline content. Also, the expression of a handful of cold stress responsive genes, such as DREB1A/B/C, DREB2A, TPP1/2, was increased in Osa-miR319b transgenic lines. Furthermore, we demonstrated the nuclear localization of the transcription factors, OsPCF6 and OsTCP21, which may be Osa-miR319b-targeted genes. We also showed that OsPCF6 and OsTCP21 expression was largely induced by cold stress, and the degree of induction was obviously repressed in plants overexpressing Osa-miR319b. As expected, the down-regulation of OsPCF6 and OsTCP21 resulted in enhanced tolerance to cold stress, partially by modifying active oxygen scavenging. Taken together, our findings suggest that Osa-miR319b plays an important role in plant response to cold stress, maybe by targeting OsPCF6 and OsTCP21.
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biological Functional Genes, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Sun-ting
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biological Functional Genes, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Xiao-li
authors.initials: XL
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.affiliation: Field Science Center for Northern Biosphere, Hokkaido University, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan.
authors.forename: Yoichiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hoshino
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biological Functional Genes, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Yang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biological Functional Genes, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Bei
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Jia
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biological Functional Genes, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Zhong-wen
authors.initials: ZW
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biological Functional Genes, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Ming-zhe
authors.initials: MZ
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biological Functional Genes, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Xiang-bo
authors.initials: XB
authors.lastname: Duan
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biological Functional Genes, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Yan-ming
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Zhu
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000235:genetics*; D003080:Cold Temperature; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D017343:Genes, Plant / Q000235:genetics*; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics*; D012275:Oryza / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development; D010641:Phenotype; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development*; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D035683:MicroRNAs