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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Madison, Wisconsin » Vegetable Crops Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #344783
Title: Comparative analysis of miRNA and mRNA abundance in determinate cucumber by high-throughput sequencing

Author
item MA, CHAO - Shanghai Jiaotong University
item YANG, JINGLING - Beijing Academy Of Agricultural Sciences
item CHENG, QING - Beijing Academy Of Agricultural Sciences
item MAO, AIJUN - Beijing Academy Of Agricultural Sciences
item ZHANG, JIAN - Beijing Academy Of Agricultural Sciences
item WANG, SHIPING - Shanghai Jiaotong University
item Weng, Yiqun
item WEN, CHANGLONG - Beijing Academy Of Agricultural Sciences

Submitted to: PLOS ONE
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/19/2017
Publication Date: 1/5/2018
Citation: Ma, C., Yang, J., Cheng, Q., Mao, A., Zhang, J., Wang, S., Weng, Y., Wen, C. 2018. Comparative analysis of miRNA and mRNA abundance in determinate cucumber by high-throughput sequencing. PLoS One. 13(1):e0190691. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0190691.

Interpretive Summary: Determinate cucumber is characterized with short vines, fewer nodes, and terminal flowers, which is a useful plant architecture for cucumbers in certain production systems. The genetic and molecular mechanisms of determinate growth habit is not well understood. In addition, environmental factors also play important roles in determinacy of cucumber which is especially true in greenhouse cultivation. Adverse environmental stresses may cause terminal flowers on interminate cucumbers that may decrease the yield and fruit quality. As such, it is of practical importance to investigate the key factors affect determinate and terminal flowering in cucumber. In this study, the miRNA and mRNA sequencing were conducted. Key epigenetic factor miRNAs and critical functional mRNAs were identified. The expression patterns of selected miRNAs and its potential targets mRNAs were validated. The result showed a significant negative correlation between them. Ethylene-associated miRNAs and mRNAs were abundant. Ethylene production was significant higher in the determinate cucumber than in the indeterminate line. Data suggested that ethylene may be a key player in cucumber determinate growth and terminal flowering. This study provides clues for further understanding of the regulation of determinate growth habit in cucumber.

Technical Abstract: Determinate cucumber is characterized with short vines, fewer nodes, and terminal flowers, which is a useful plant architecture for cucumbers in certain production systems. The genetic and molecular mechanisms of determinate growth habit is not well understood. In addition, environmental factors also play important roles in determinacy of cucumber which is especially true in greenhouse cultivation. Adverse environmental stresses may cause terminal flowers on interminate cucumbers that may decrease the yield and fruit quality. As such, it is of practical importance to investigate the key factors affect determinate and terminal flowering in cucumber. In this study, the miRNA and mRNA sequencing were conducted. Key epigenetic factor miRNAs and critical functional mRNAs were identified. The expression patterns of selected miRNAs and its potential targets mRNAs were validated. The result showed a significant negative correlation between them. Ethylene-associated miRNAs and mRNAs were abundant. Ethylene production was significant higher in the determinate cucumber than in the indeterminate line. Data suggested that ethylene may be a key player in cucumber determinate growth and terminal flowering. This study provides clues for further understanding of the regulation of determinate growth habit in cucumber.