Authors:

Olivia Moffett

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About Paper:

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) control the expression of a target gene by destroying the target mRNA or inhibiting its translation. MiRNA171 (miR171) is a highly conserved family in land plants. The miR171 genes play a critical role in plant growth and development, and they specifically regulate shoot-branching activity by directly repressing the HAM (hairy apical meristems) family transcription factors. Mature miR171 aligns with the conserved 21-base pair sequence of HAM genes through direct binding and cleavage, which will hinder the production of the HAM proteins in plants. In this study, six candidate miR171 genes (named CrmiR171A through CrmiR171F) were identified and characterized. The function of each candidate gene is tested by overexpressing each CrmiR171 in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Multiple individual transgenic plants were isolated through hygromycin selection and confirmed by PCR. The phenotype of transgenic plants, such as the number of branches produced, meristem development, number of leaves, flowering time, and the traits related to shoot architecture, have been or will be quantified. This study will provide important information on how we can modify crops like maize or soybean for better yields, pest resistance, and improved nutritional value and overall quality of our foods.

Source:

Purdue University / 2023

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Co-authors:

Olivia Moffett