Ubiquitous miR159 repression of MYB33/65 in Arabidopsis rosettes is robust and is not perturbed by a wide range of stresses

• DOI: 10.1186/s12870-016-0867-4
• Publication Date: 2016-08-19T11:45:05Z
• Authors: Yanjiao Li; Maria Alonso-Peral; Gigi Wong; Ming-Bo Wang; Anthony A Millar
• Keywords: Tapetum

The microR159 (miR159) – GAMYB pathway is conserved in higher plants, where GAMYB, expression promotes programmed cell death seeds (aleurone) and anthers (tapetum). In cereals, restriction of to mainly achieved transcriptionally, whereas Arabidopsis this post-transcriptionally, as miR159 silences (MYB33 MYB65) vegetative tissues, but not anthers. However, we cannot rule out a role for miR159-MYB33/65 tissues; loss-of-function mir159 mutant displays strong pleiotropic defects numerous reports have documented changes abundance during stress hormone treatments. Hence, investigated the functional tissues. It was found that ubiquitously present throughout rosette development. appears continuously repress MYB33/MYB65 levels no major impact on Inducible inhibition resulted MYB33/65 de-repression associated phenotypic defects, indicating potential development only possible through MYB33 MYB65 if decrease. silencing appeared extremely robust; tested abiotic repression. Consistent with this, responses an lacking were indistinguishable from wild-type. Moreover, viral suppressors, either via transgenesis or infection, unable prevent repression MYB33/65, highlighting robustness miR159-mediated silencing. Despite being present, molecular, genetic physiological analysis failed find response. Although it likely important here different plant species, our findings argue against playing general Finally, light unlikely low fold-level response would any Arabidopsis.