Identification of drought-responsive miRNAs and physiological characterization of tea plant (Camellia sinensis L.) under drought stress
Abstract Background Drought stress is one of the major natural challenges in the main tea-producing regions of China. The tea plant (Camellia sinensis) is a traditional beverage plant whose growth status directly affects tea quality. Recent studies have revealed that microRNAs (miRNAs) play key func...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2017-11-01
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| Series: | BMC Plant Biology |
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| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12870-017-1172-6 |
| _version_ | 1818549920322289664 |
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| author | Yuqiong Guo Shanshan Zhao Chen Zhu Xiaojun Chang Chuan Yue Zhong Wang Yuling Lin Zhongxiong Lai |
| author_facet | Yuqiong Guo Shanshan Zhao Chen Zhu Xiaojun Chang Chuan Yue Zhong Wang Yuling Lin Zhongxiong Lai |
| author_sort | Yuqiong Guo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Drought stress is one of the major natural challenges in the main tea-producing regions of China. The tea plant (Camellia sinensis) is a traditional beverage plant whose growth status directly affects tea quality. Recent studies have revealed that microRNAs (miRNAs) play key functions in plant growth and development. Although some miRNAs have been identified in C. sinensis, little is known about their roles in the drought stress response of tea plants. Results Physiological characterization of Camellia sinensis ‘Tieguanyin’ under drought stress showed that the malondialdehyde concentration and electrical conductivity of leaves of drought-stressed plants increased when the chlorophyll concentration decreased under severe drought stress. We sequenced four small-RNA (sRNA) libraries constructed from leaves of plants subjected to four different treatments, normal water supply (CK); mild drought stress (T1); moderate drought stress (T2) and severe drought stress (T3). A total of 299 known mature miRNA sequences and 46 novel miRNAs were identified. Gene Ontology enrichment analysis revealed that most of the differentially expressed-miRNA target genes were related to regulation of transcription. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis revealed that the most highly enriched pathways under drought stress were D-alanine metabolism, sulfur metabolism, and mineral absorption pathways. Real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) was used to validate the expression patterns of 21 miRNAs (2 up-regulated and 19 down-regulated under drought stress). The observed co-regulation of the miR166 family and their targets ATHB-14-like and ATHB-15-like indicate the presence of negative feedback regulation in miRNA pathways. Conclusions Analyses of drought-responsive miRNAs in tea plants showed that most of differentially expressed-miRNA target genes were related to regulation of transcription. The results of study revealed that the expressions of phase-specific miRNAs vary with morphological, physiological, and biochemical changes. These findings will be useful for research on drought resistance and provide insights into the mechanisms of drought adaptation and resistance in C. sinensis. |
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-4464034072674c5e870ccc4aa6f00383 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2229 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-12T08:39:33Z |
| publishDate | 2017-11-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Plant Biology |
| spelling | doaj.art-4464034072674c5e870ccc4aa6f003832022-12-22T00:30:49ZengBMCBMC Plant Biology1471-22292017-11-0117112010.1186/s12870-017-1172-6Identification of drought-responsive miRNAs and physiological characterization of tea plant (Camellia sinensis L.) under drought stressYuqiong Guo0Shanshan Zhao1Chen Zhu2Xiaojun Chang3Chuan Yue4Zhong Wang5Yuling Lin6Zhongxiong Lai7College of Horticulture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry UniversityCollege of Horticulture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry UniversityCollege of Horticulture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry UniversityCollege of Horticulture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry UniversityCollege of Horticulture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry UniversityCollege of Horticulture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry UniversityCollege of Horticulture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry UniversityCollege of Horticulture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry UniversityAbstract Background Drought stress is one of the major natural challenges in the main tea-producing regions of China. The tea plant (Camellia sinensis) is a traditional beverage plant whose growth status directly affects tea quality. Recent studies have revealed that microRNAs (miRNAs) play key functions in plant growth and development. Although some miRNAs have been identified in C. sinensis, little is known about their roles in the drought stress response of tea plants. Results Physiological characterization of Camellia sinensis ‘Tieguanyin’ under drought stress showed that the malondialdehyde concentration and electrical conductivity of leaves of drought-stressed plants increased when the chlorophyll concentration decreased under severe drought stress. We sequenced four small-RNA (sRNA) libraries constructed from leaves of plants subjected to four different treatments, normal water supply (CK); mild drought stress (T1); moderate drought stress (T2) and severe drought stress (T3). A total of 299 known mature miRNA sequences and 46 novel miRNAs were identified. Gene Ontology enrichment analysis revealed that most of the differentially expressed-miRNA target genes were related to regulation of transcription. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis revealed that the most highly enriched pathways under drought stress were D-alanine metabolism, sulfur metabolism, and mineral absorption pathways. Real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) was used to validate the expression patterns of 21 miRNAs (2 up-regulated and 19 down-regulated under drought stress). The observed co-regulation of the miR166 family and their targets ATHB-14-like and ATHB-15-like indicate the presence of negative feedback regulation in miRNA pathways. Conclusions Analyses of drought-responsive miRNAs in tea plants showed that most of differentially expressed-miRNA target genes were related to regulation of transcription. The results of study revealed that the expressions of phase-specific miRNAs vary with morphological, physiological, and biochemical changes. These findings will be useful for research on drought resistance and provide insights into the mechanisms of drought adaptation and resistance in C. sinensis.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12870-017-1172-6Camellia sinensisDrought stressmiRNAPhysiological characteristics |
| spellingShingle | Yuqiong Guo Shanshan Zhao Chen Zhu Xiaojun Chang Chuan Yue Zhong Wang Yuling Lin Zhongxiong Lai Identification of drought-responsive miRNAs and physiological characterization of tea plant (Camellia sinensis L.) under drought stress BMC Plant Biology Camellia sinensis Drought stress miRNA Physiological characteristics |
| title | Identification of drought-responsive miRNAs and physiological characterization of tea plant (Camellia sinensis L.) under drought stress |
| title_full | Identification of drought-responsive miRNAs and physiological characterization of tea plant (Camellia sinensis L.) under drought stress |
| title_fullStr | Identification of drought-responsive miRNAs and physiological characterization of tea plant (Camellia sinensis L.) under drought stress |
| title_full_unstemmed | Identification of drought-responsive miRNAs and physiological characterization of tea plant (Camellia sinensis L.) under drought stress |
| title_short | Identification of drought-responsive miRNAs and physiological characterization of tea plant (Camellia sinensis L.) under drought stress |
| title_sort | identification of drought responsive mirnas and physiological characterization of tea plant camellia sinensis l under drought stress |
| topic | Camellia sinensis Drought stress miRNA Physiological characteristics |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12870-017-1172-6 |
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