Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play an important role in responding to biotic and abiotic stresses in plants. Jujube witches’-broom a phytoplasma disease of Ziziphus jujuba is prevalent in China and is a serious problem to the industry. However, the molecular mechanism of the disease is poorly understood. In this study, genome-wide identification and analysis of microRNAs in response to witches’-broom was performed. A total of 85 conserved miRNA unique sequences belonging to 32 miRNA families and 24 novel miRNA unique sequences, including their complementary miRNA* strands were identified from small RNA libraries derived from a uninfected and witches’-broom infected Z. jujuba plant. Differentially expressed miRNAs associated with Jujube witches’-broom disease were investigated between the two libraries, and 12 up-regulated miRNAs and 10 down- regulated miRNAs identified with more than 2 fold changes. Additionally, 40 target genes of 85 conserved miRNAs and 49 target genes of 24 novel miRNAs were predicted and their putative functions assigned. Using the modified 5’-RACE method, we confirmed that SPL and MYB were cleaved by miR156 and miR159, respectively. Our results provide insight into the molecular mechanisms of witches’-broom disease in Z. jujuba.

Highlights

  • Zizyphus jujuba is an economically important fruit tree species in China, belonging to the family Rhamnaceae [1]

  • Two small RNA libraries were constructed from the sprig leaves of Z. jujuba wild type (ZZN) and the infected plant (ZZD) with witches’-broom disease (Fig 1)

  • The 24-nt small RNAs (sRNAs) were mainly comprised of small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), Identification of Witches’-Broom Phytoplasma Responsive MicroRNAs in Ziziphus jujuba

Read more

Summary

Introduction

Zizyphus jujuba (common name Chinese Jujube) is an economically important fruit tree species in China, belonging to the family Rhamnaceae [1]. It is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine for at least 3,000 years, because its fruit contains high vitamin C content, abundant phenolic compounds, carbohydrate, minerals, cyclic AMP and other important nutrients [1,2,3]. Jujube witches’-broom (JWB) disease is prevalent in China and causes serious problems to the industry [4] It is caused by phytoplasmas which are bacteria without cell walls that were first discovered in the phloem of plants in 1967 by Yoji Doi and co-workers [5]. Phytoplasmas are transmitted by phloem-sucking leafhoppers and Chinese Jujube plants infected with phytoplasmas display a variety of symptoms, such as small leaves, yellowing, witches’-broom, PLOS ONE | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0166099 November 8, 2016

Methods
Results
Conclusion

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.