Differential spatial distribution of miR165/6 determines variability in plant root anatomy

Development. 2018 Jan 9;145(1):dev153858. doi: 10.1242/dev.153858.

Abstract

A clear example of interspecific variation is the number of root cortical layers in plants. The genetic mechanisms underlying this variability are poorly understood, partly because of the lack of a convenient model. Here, we demonstrate that Cardamine hirsuta, unlike Arabidopsis thaliana, has two cortical layers that are patterned during late embryogenesis. We show that a miR165/6-dependent distribution of the HOMEODOMAIN LEUCINE ZIPPER III (HD-ZIPIII) transcription factor PHABULOSA (PHB) controls this pattern. Our findings reveal that interspecies variation in miRNA distribution can determine differences in anatomy in plants.

Keywords: Arabidopsis; Cardamine hirsuta; Ground tissue; HD-ZIPIII; Root development; miR165/6.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Arabidopsis / anatomy & histology
  • Arabidopsis / metabolism*
  • Arabidopsis Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cardamine / anatomy & histology
  • Cardamine / metabolism*
  • Homeodomain Proteins / metabolism*
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism*
  • Plant Roots / anatomy & histology
  • Plant Roots / metabolism*

Substances

  • Arabidopsis Proteins
  • HD-Zip protein, Arabidopsis
  • Homeodomain Proteins
  • MIRN166 microRNA, Arabidopsis
  • MicroRNAs
  • PHB protein, Arabidopsis