Identification of microRNAs and their target genes related to the accumulation of anthocyanin in purple potato tubers (Solanum tuberosum)

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are types of endogenous non‐coding small RNAs found in eukaryotes that are 18–25 nucleotides long. miRNAs are considered to be key regulatory factors of the expression of target mRNA. The roles of miRNAs involved in the regulation of anthocyanin accumulation in pigmented potatoes have not been systematically reported. In this study, the differentially expressed miRNAs and their target genes involved in the accumulation of anthocyanin during different developmental stages in purple potato ( Solanum tuberosum L.) were identified using small RNA (sRNA) and degradome sequencing. A total of 275 differentially expressed miRNAs were identified in the sRNA libraries. A total of 69,387,200 raw reads were obtained from three degradome libraries. The anthocyanin responsive miRNA–mRNA modules were analyzed, and 37 miRNAs and 23 target genes were obtained. Different miRNAs regulate the key enzymes of anthocyanin synthesis in purple potato. The structural genes included phenylalanine ammonia lyase, chalcone isomerase, flavanone 3‐hydroxylase, and anthocyanidin 3‐ O ‐glucosyltransferase. The regulatory genes included WD40, MYB, and SPL9. stu‐miR172e‐5p_L‐1R‐1, stu‐miR828a, stu‐miR29b‐4‐5p, stu‐miR8019‐5p_L‐4R‐3, stu‐miR396b‐5p, stu‐miR5303f_L‐7R + 2, stu‐miR7997a_L‐3, stu‐miR7997b_L‐3, stu‐miR7997c_L + 3R‐5_2ss2TA3AG, stu‐miR156f‐5p_L + 1, stu‐miR156a, stu‐miR156a_R‐1, stu‐miR156e, stu‐miR858, stu‐miR5021, stu‐miR828 and their target genes were validated by qRT‐PCR. They play important roles in the coloration and accumulation of purple potatoes. These results provide new insights into the biosynthesis of anthocyanins in pigmented potatoes.

miR828a-CsMYB114 Module Negatively Regulates the Biosynthesis of Theobromine in Camellia sinensis

“…48 Similarly, in purple potato, miR828a targets a MYB gene (PGSC0003DMT400078477, MYB3-like) to regulate anthocyanin biosynthesis. 49 In tea plant leaves infected with Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, the expression profile of csn-miR828a showed a negative correlation with its target gene MYB75, 50 which is known as a positive regulator of abiotic stress responses. This implies that csn-miR828a might play a negative role in abiotic stress response.…”

“…Hmo-miR828a targets HmTT2-like, suggesting a positive role in betalain accumulation in pitaya . Similarly, in purple potato, miR828a targets a MYB gene (PGSC0003DMT400078477, MYB3-like) to regulate anthocyanin biosynthesis . In tea plant leaves infected with Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, the expression profile of csn-miR828a showed a negative correlation with its target gene MYB75, which is known as a positive regulator of abiotic stress responses.…”

Identification of miRNAs Involved in Male Fertility and Pollen Development in Brassica oleracea var. capitata L. by High-Throughput Sequencing

“…In particular, it has become clear that miRNAs play crucial roles in a broad range of biological processes, such as developmental regulation, signal transduction, hormone response, and stress tolerance [19,20]. In addition, there is mounting evidence that they play a regulatory role in plant growth and development, specifically in the initiation of leaf sprouting [21], in flowering time regulation [22], in the accumulation of anthocyanins [23], in the response to the phytohormone abscisic acid [24], in root development [25], in cotton fiber elongation [26], in pollen or flower bud development [27,28], and so on. Researchers are now able to utilize sequence-based analysis as a powerful technique for uncovering previously unknown miRNAs in plants, especially those that are tissue-specific or have low abundance, due to the recent advancements in and affordability of high-throughput sequencing technologies [29][30][31].…”