Regulation of MIR Genes in Response to Abiotic Stress in Hevea brasiliensis

Virginie Gébelin,Pascal Montoro,Julie Leclercq,Chaorong Tang,Songnian Hu

doi:10.3390/ijms141019587

Abstract

Increasing demand for natural rubber (NR) calls for an increase in latex yield and also an extension of rubber plantations in marginal zones. Both harvesting and abiotic stresses lead to tapping panel dryness through the production of reactive oxygen species. Many microRNAs regulated during abiotic stress modulate growth and development. The objective of this paper was to study the regulation of microRNAs in response to different types of abiotic stress and hormone treatments in Hevea. Regulation of MIR genes differs depending on the tissue and abiotic stress applied. A negative co-regulation between HbMIR398b with its chloroplastic HbCuZnSOD target messenger is observed in response to salinity. The involvement of MIR gene regulation during latex harvesting and tapping panel dryness (TPD) occurrence is further discussed.

Highlights

Hevea brasiliensis is the only source of natural rubber (NR), which is produced in latex cells in the phloem
The objective of this paper was to study the regulation of microRNAs in response to different types of abiotic stress or hormone treatments
Given some mature miRNAs could be produced by several MIR genes, this study focused on the expression analysis pattern using real-time RT-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with specific primers for each MIR genes

Summary

Introduction

Hevea brasiliensis is the only source of natural rubber (NR), which is produced in latex cells in the phloem. Latex harvesting consists in tapping the soft bark of rubber trees. Increasing demand for NR calls for an increase in latex yield, and an extension of crops to marginal zones. Such marginal zones are subject to stronger and more detrimental abiotic constraints for latex production (positive cold, frost-prone, drought, etc.). Exposure to abiotic stress in addition to latex harvesting stress affects latex production and tree productivity [1]

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