A novel class of heat-responsive small RNAs derived from the chloroplast genome of Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa)
2011

Heat-Responsive Small RNAs in Chinese Cabbage

publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Wang Lu, Yu Xiang, Wang Han, Lu Yi-Zhen, de Ruiter Marjo, Prins Marcel, He Yu-Ke

Primary Institution: National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Hypothesis

Are small RNAs generated from the chloroplast genome of Chinese cabbage and how do they respond to heat stress?

Conclusion

Chloroplast small RNAs are sensitive to heat stress and may play roles in regulating gene expression related to plant resistance.

Supporting Evidence

  • Deep sequencing revealed a novel subset of small RNAs from the chloroplast genome.
  • Heat stress significantly reduced the abundance of certain chloroplast small RNAs.
  • Some chloroplast small RNAs were found to regulate target gene expression.

Takeaway

This study found that small RNAs from the chloroplast of Chinese cabbage change when the plant is exposed to heat, which might help the plant cope with stress.

Methodology

Deep sequencing of small RNAs from heat-treated and control seedlings of Chinese cabbage.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1471-2164-12-289

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