MicroRNA319 positively regulates cold tolerance by targeting OsPCF6 and OsTCP21 in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

PLoS One. 2014 Mar 25;9(3):e91357. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0091357. eCollection 2014.

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.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Physiological / genetics*
  • Cold Temperature
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Plant*
  • Genes, Plant / genetics*
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • Oryza / genetics*
  • Oryza / growth & development
  • Phenotype
  • Plant Leaves / anatomy & histology
  • Plant Leaves / genetics
  • Plant Leaves / growth & development*
  • Plants, Genetically Modified / genetics
  • Plants, Genetically Modified / growth & development
  • Stress, Physiological / genetics*

Substances

  • MicroRNAs

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31171578), the “863” project (2008AA10Z153), Heilongjiang Provincial Higher School Science and Technology Innovation Team Building Program (2011TD005), National basic scientific talent training fund projects (J1210069), Graduate student innovation research project in Heilongjiang province (YJSCX2012-047HLJ). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.