Methylation of miRNA genes in the response to temperature stress in Populus simonii

Abstract

DNA methylation and miRNAs provide crucial regulation of the transcriptional and post-transcriptional responses to abiotic stress. In this study, we used methylation-sensitive amplification polymorphisms to identify 1066 sites that were differentially methylated in response to temperature stress in Populus simonii. Among these loci, BLAST searches of miRBase identified seven miRNA genes. Expression analysis by quantitative real-time PCR suggested that the methylation pattern of these miRNA genes probably influences their expression. Annotation of these miRNA genes in the sequenced genome of Populus trichocarpa found three target genes (Potri.007G090400, Potri.014G042200, and Potri.010G176000) for the miRNAs produced from five genes (Ptc-MIR396e and g, Ptc-MIR156i and j, and Ptc-MIR390c) respectively. The products of these target genes function in lipid metabolism to deplete lipid peroxide. We also constructed a network based on the interactions between DNA methylation and miRNAs, miRNAs and target genes, and the products of target genes and the metabolic factors that they affect, including H2O2, malondialdehyde, catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase. Our results suggested that DNA methylation probably regulates the expression of miRNA genes, thus affecting expression of their target genes, likely through the gene-silencing function of miRNAs, to maintain cell survival under abiotic stress conditions.

Identification of Drought-Responsive microRNAs from Roots and Leaves of Alfalfa by High-Throughput Sequencing

“…Changing the expression level of miR172 can affect the flower morphology [16]. A group of miRNAs also play pivotal regulatory roles in plant response to various stresses such as hypoxia [17], salinity [18], cold [19], UV-B radiation [20], nutrient deficiency [21], heavy metal [22], and drought [4].…”

Emerging techniques to decipher microRNAs (miRNAs) and their regulatory role in conferring abiotic stress tolerance of plants

“…In this fashion, the cellular acyl-CoA composition is ultimately regulated (Lager et al 2013). In this case study (Ci et al 2015), down-regulation of LPCAT probably occurred due to an altered methylation status of the miRNA genes. This suppression led to the reduced phosphatidylcholine for fatty acid desaturation to protect the cells from heat stress.…”

“…Ci et al (2015) identified 1066 sites which were susceptible to differential methylation during temperature stress in Populus simonii. This analysis was done using methylation-sensitive amplification polymorphisms.…”

Flexible shift on gene body methylation and transcription of LpCYP72A161 exposed to temperature stress in perennial ryegrass

“…Abiotic stress's impact on DNA methylation has been widely reported in plants at the genome level (Ci et al, 2015;Gayacharan and Joel 2013;Tang et al, 2014b;Wang et al, 2015a), and on the promoter regions (Baek et al, 2011;Chinnusamy and Zhu 2009), but only a few studies focused on changes in DNA methylation on gene body regions. Currently, the relationship between gene body methylation and transcription remains unclear (Maunakea et al, 2010;Zemach et al, 2010).…”