A long non-coding RNA functions as a competitive endogenous RNA to modulate TaNAC018 by acting as a decoy for tae-miR6206

• Published in: Plant molecular biology 2024-06, Vol.114 (3), p.36, Article 36
• Main Authors: Xu, Wei-Bo, Guo, Qian-Huan, Liu, Peng, Dai, Shuang, Wu, Chang-Ai, Yang, Guo-Dong, Huang, Jin-Guang, Zhang, Shi-Zhong, Song, Jian-Min, Zheng, Cheng-Chao, Yan, Kang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Abscisic acid; Abscisic Acid - pharmacology; Arabidopsis - genetics; Biochemistry; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Drought resistance; Ectopic expression; Epicuticular wax; Gene silencing; Life Sciences; Mannitol; MicroRNAs; MicroRNAs - genetics; miRNA; Non-coding RNA; Plant Pathology; Plant Sciences; RNA, Competitive Endogenous; RNA, Long Noncoding - genetics; RNA, Messenger; Seedlings; Transcriptomes; Triticum - genetics; Triticum aestivum; Waxes; Wheat
• ISSN: 0167-4412; 1573-5028; 1573-5028
• DOI: 10.1007/s11103-024-01448-7

Increasing evidence indicates a strong correlation between the deposition of cuticular waxes and drought tolerance. However, the precise regulatory mechanism remains elusive. Here, we conducted a comprehensive transcriptome analysis of two wheat ( Triticum aestivum ) near-isogenic lines, the glaucous line G-JM38 rich in cuticular waxes and the non-glaucous line NG-JM31. We identified 85,143 protein-coding mRNAs, 4,485 lncRNAs, and 1,130 miRNAs. Using the lncRNA–miRNA–mRNA network and endogenous target mimic (eTM) prediction, we discovered that lncRNA35557 acted as an eTM for the miRNA tae-miR6206, effectively preventing tae-miR6206 from cleaving the NAC transcription factor gene TaNAC018 . This lncRNA–miRNA interaction led to higher transcript abundance for TaNAC018 and enhanced drought-stress tolerance. Additionally, treatment with mannitol and abscisic acid (ABA) each influenced the levels of tae-miR6206, lncRNA35557, and TaNAC018 transcript. The ectopic expression of TaNAC018 in Arabidopsis also improved tolerance toward mannitol and ABA treatment, whereas knocking down TaNAC018 transcript levels via virus-induced gene silencing in wheat rendered seedlings more sensitive to mannitol stress. Our results indicate that lncRNA35557 functions as a competing endogenous RNA to modulate TaNAC018 expression by acting as a decoy target for tae-miR6206 in glaucous wheat, suggesting that non-coding RNA has important roles in the regulatory mechanisms responsible for wheat stress tolerance. Key message LncRNA35557 functions as a competing endogenous RNA to modulate TaNAC018 expression by acting as a decoy target for tae-miR6206 in glaucous wheat.