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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Corvallis, Oregon » Forage Seed and Cereal Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #206824
Title: Seed microRNA Research

Author
item Martin, Ruth
item LIU, PO-PO - OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY
item NONOGAKI, HIROYUKI - OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/31/2006
Publication Date: 10/31/2006
Citation: Martin, R.C., Liu, P., Nonogaki, H. 2006. Seed miRNA Research. In: Navie, S., Adkins, S. and Ashmore, S., editors. Seeds: Biology, Development and Ecology. CAB International 2006. P. 354-364.

Interpretive Summary: This book chapter is based on a talk given at the 8th International Workshop on Seeds. A brief overview of miRNA (short pieces of RNA that act to stop gene expression) regulatory pathways in plants is presented with a focus on seed related miRNAs. A simple protocol for the isolation and screening of miRNAs from seeds and a method to extract developing seeds from Arabidopsis siliques are presented. Websites that may be of use for miRNA research are listed. Information on the analysis of miRNAs and their target genes are also discussed.

Technical Abstract: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulatory molecules that play critical roles in gene expression. The biological functions of miRNAs are important for developmental processes in plants and animals. Little is known about the functions of miRNAs in seeds. To gain a better understand-ing of the regulation of gene expression in seeds, it is necessary to characterize gene regulation by miRNAs, which are known to play significant roles in other plant organs and tissues. A simple method for isolating small RNAs from seeds and a non-radioactive detection system for seed-expressed miRNAs have been established earlier. In this study the established seed miRNA detection techniques, as well as a new method to isolate developing Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. seeds from siliquae for miRNA analysis, are introduced. The information on miRNAs expressed in Arabidopsis and Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. and their target genes are also updated.