Identification of novel drought-responsive miRNA regulatory network of drought stress response in common vetch (Vicia sativa)

Abstract

Drought is among the most important natural disasters with severe effects on animals and plants. MicroRNAs are a class of noncoding RNAs that play a crucial role in plant growth, development, and response to stress factors, including drought. However, the microRNAs in drought responses in common vetch (Vicia sativa), an annual herbaceous leguminous plant commonly used for forage by including it in mixed seeding during winter and spring, have not been characterized. To explore the microRNAs’ response to drought in common vetch, we sequenced 10 small RNA (sRNA) libraries by the next-generation sequencing technology. We obtained 379 known miRNAs belonging to 38 families and 47 novel miRNAs. The two groups had varying numbers of differentially expressed miRNAs: 85 in the comparison group D5 vs C5 and 38 in the comparison group D3 vs C3. Combined analysis of mRNA and miRNA in the same samples under drought treatment identified 318 different target genes of 123 miRNAs. Functional annotation of the target genes revealed that the miRNAs regulate drought-responsive genes, such as leucine-rich repeat receptor-like kinase-encoding genes (LRR-RLKs), ABC transporter G family member 1 (ABCG1), and MAG2-interacting protein 2 (MIP2). The genes were involved in various pathways, including cell wall biosynthesis, reactive oxygen removal, and protein transport. The findings in this study provide new insights into the miRNA-mediated regulatory networks of drought stress response in common vetch.

Designing Novel Strategies for Improving Old Legumes: An Overview from Common Vetch

“…Moreover, miRNAs that are small noncoding RNAs that negatively regulate the expression of downstream target genes have been recently identified as regulators of the drought response in V. sativa . Potential targets of the identified drought-responsive miRNA include genes involved in various pathways, as cell wall biosynthesis, reactive oxygen removal, and protein transport, providing new insights into the miRNA-mediated regulatory networks of drought stress response in common vetch [ 155 , 157 ]. The response to drought stress is complex and involves different gene regulatory networks and physiological responses in the root and the aerial parts that are responsible for water uptake and stomatal evapotranspiration, respectively ( Figure 3 E).…”

Whole-Transcriptome Sequencing Reveals the Global Molecular Responses and NAC Transcription Factors Involved in Drought Stress in Dendrobium catenatum

“…For instance, miR159 in tomatoes has been shown to enhance plant drought tolerance by targeting MYB transcription factors [16]. Many potential regulatory miRNAs have also been discovered in multiple species like rice, triticum dicoccoides, tomato, Chinese jujube, sugarcane, and Vicia sativa [17][18][19][20][21][22]. There are few circRNA studies in plants compared to research reports in animals.…”