Bioavailability of transgenic microRNAs in genetically modified plants
Abstract Background Transgenic expression of small RNAs is a prevalent approach in agrobiotechnology for the global enhancement of plant foods. Meanwhile, emerging studies have, on the one hand, emphasized the potential of transgenic microRNAs (miRNAs) as novel dietary therapeutics and, on the other...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2017-07-01
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| Series: | Genes & Nutrition |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12263-017-0563-5 |
| _version_ | 1811280528586833920 |
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| author | Jian Yang Cecilia Primo Ismail Elbaz-Younes Kendal D. Hirschi |
| author_facet | Jian Yang Cecilia Primo Ismail Elbaz-Younes Kendal D. Hirschi |
| author_sort | Jian Yang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Transgenic expression of small RNAs is a prevalent approach in agrobiotechnology for the global enhancement of plant foods. Meanwhile, emerging studies have, on the one hand, emphasized the potential of transgenic microRNAs (miRNAs) as novel dietary therapeutics and, on the other, suggested potential food safety issues if harmful miRNAs are absorbed and bioactive. For these reasons, it is necessary to evaluate the bioavailability of transgenic miRNAs in genetically modified crops. Results As a pilot study, two transgenic Arabidopsis lines ectopically expressing unique miRNAs were compared and contrasted with the plant bioavailable small RNA MIR2911 for digestive stability and serum bioavailability. The expression levels of these transgenic miRNAs in Arabidopsis were found to be comparable to that of MIR2911 in fresh tissues. Assays of digestive stability in vitro and in vivo suggested the transgenic miRNAs and MIR2911 had comparable resistance to degradation. Healthy mice consuming diets rich in Arabidopsis lines expressing these miRNAs displayed MIR2911 in the bloodstream but no detectable levels of the transgenic miRNAs. Conclusions These preliminary results imply digestive stability and high expression levels of miRNAs in plants do not readily equate to bioavailability. This initial work suggests novel engineering strategies be employed to enhance miRNA bioavailability when attempting to use transgenic foods as a delivery platform. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T01:16:26Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-3cd0978d7b1c4c369b555128f27b854f |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1555-8932 1865-3499 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T01:16:26Z |
| publishDate | 2017-07-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Genes & Nutrition |
| spelling | doaj.art-3cd0978d7b1c4c369b555128f27b854f2022-12-22T03:08:54ZengBMCGenes & Nutrition1555-89321865-34992017-07-011211810.1186/s12263-017-0563-5Bioavailability of transgenic microRNAs in genetically modified plantsJian Yang0Cecilia Primo1Ismail Elbaz-Younes2Kendal D. Hirschi3USDA/ARS Children’s Nutrition Research Center, Baylor College of MedicineUSDA/ARS Children’s Nutrition Research Center, Baylor College of MedicineUSDA/ARS Children’s Nutrition Research Center, Baylor College of MedicineUSDA/ARS Children’s Nutrition Research Center, Baylor College of MedicineAbstract Background Transgenic expression of small RNAs is a prevalent approach in agrobiotechnology for the global enhancement of plant foods. Meanwhile, emerging studies have, on the one hand, emphasized the potential of transgenic microRNAs (miRNAs) as novel dietary therapeutics and, on the other, suggested potential food safety issues if harmful miRNAs are absorbed and bioactive. For these reasons, it is necessary to evaluate the bioavailability of transgenic miRNAs in genetically modified crops. Results As a pilot study, two transgenic Arabidopsis lines ectopically expressing unique miRNAs were compared and contrasted with the plant bioavailable small RNA MIR2911 for digestive stability and serum bioavailability. The expression levels of these transgenic miRNAs in Arabidopsis were found to be comparable to that of MIR2911 in fresh tissues. Assays of digestive stability in vitro and in vivo suggested the transgenic miRNAs and MIR2911 had comparable resistance to degradation. Healthy mice consuming diets rich in Arabidopsis lines expressing these miRNAs displayed MIR2911 in the bloodstream but no detectable levels of the transgenic miRNAs. Conclusions These preliminary results imply digestive stability and high expression levels of miRNAs in plants do not readily equate to bioavailability. This initial work suggests novel engineering strategies be employed to enhance miRNA bioavailability when attempting to use transgenic foods as a delivery platform.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12263-017-0563-5Dietary microRNAsGenetically modified organismsBioavailabilityDigestive stabilityMIR2911Mice |
| spellingShingle | Jian Yang Cecilia Primo Ismail Elbaz-Younes Kendal D. Hirschi Bioavailability of transgenic microRNAs in genetically modified plants Genes & Nutrition Dietary microRNAs Genetically modified organisms Bioavailability Digestive stability MIR2911 Mice |
| title | Bioavailability of transgenic microRNAs in genetically modified plants |
| title_full | Bioavailability of transgenic microRNAs in genetically modified plants |
| title_fullStr | Bioavailability of transgenic microRNAs in genetically modified plants |
| title_full_unstemmed | Bioavailability of transgenic microRNAs in genetically modified plants |
| title_short | Bioavailability of transgenic microRNAs in genetically modified plants |
| title_sort | bioavailability of transgenic micrornas in genetically modified plants |
| topic | Dietary microRNAs Genetically modified organisms Bioavailability Digestive stability MIR2911 Mice |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12263-017-0563-5 |
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