PLANT PHYSIOLOGY, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 198(1)
Опубликована: Апрель 30, 2025
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulators of gene expression and typically processed from primary transcripts (pri-miRNAs). Recent discoveries highlight that certain pri-miRNAs also encode miRNA-encoded peptides (miPEPs), which influence miRNA function. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying miPEP activity, including specific domains or essential amino acid residues required for their function, remain largely unexplored. In this study, we elucidated pri-miR858a-derived peptide, miPEP858a, directly interacts with promoter MIR858 in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). Notably, C-terminal region composed 14 residues, is critical its functionality. Through DNA-protein interaction assays, yeast 1-hybrid, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP-qPCR), electrophoretic mobility shift assay, promoter-reporter analyses, demonstrated miPEP858a binds to a within promoter. Exogenous application synthetic peptide corresponding resulted enhanced expression, leading phenotypic changes similar those observed full-length miPEP858a. Moreover, truncated was able complement mutant plants lacking endogenous emphasizing role regulating miR858a downstream target genes involved flavonoid biosynthesis plant development. These findings suggest may not be necessary biological being sufficient modulate expression. This discovery reveals opportunities identifying functional other miPEPs, potentially reducing synthesis costs, offering more efficient strategy enhancing agronomic traits crop without need complex biotechnological interventions.
Язык: Английский