Studying the role of micro RNAs in tuber development in potato (Solanum tuberosum ssp andigena)

Abstract

we have shortlisted and validated twelve miRNAs (in a SD-LD photoperiod dependent manner) potentially involved in tuberization pathway. Our detailed insilico target prediction revealed few miRNA candidates showing potential to be tested for their involvement in tuber formation pathway. Based on our preliminary results, we selected miR156 and miR390 for detailed characterizations. We have demonstrated that miR156 V Synopsis facilitates tuber formation under inductive SD conditions. miR156 over expression affects multiple morphological traits in potato and tobacco and it is a graft-transmissible signal that potentially moves long distances via phloem in potato. Overall, we have shown that miR156 is a graft-transmissible signal that modulates tuber formation and plant architecture in potato. In our studies with miR390-StCDPK1, we have demonstrated that miR390-StCDPK1 interaction in potato possibly plays an important role in tuberization pathway. To our knowledge, this is the first report of miRNA mediated post-transcriptional control of CDPKs.