Cassava microRNAs and storage root development

Abstract

© 2019, Springer Netherlands. All rights reserved. Cassava storage roots serve as an outstanding source of starch that is commonly utilized for nourishment and industrial applications. Despite the extensive studies, which indicated diverse important roles of miRNAs as post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression, the potential contribution of microRNAs to storage root development in cassava are sparse. Here, we characterized the key miRNAs and auxin content in two main types of cassava roots, fibrous roots and storage roots. The differential expression pattern of miRNAs and their mRNA targets, miR164/NAC and miR167/ARF6, ARF8, revealed the correlation in storage root development. A higher content of indole-3-acetic acid was observed in storage roots in contrast with fibrous roots, and the possible role was discussed. Altogether, this first finding suggested the roles of miR164/miR167 in the molecular mechanism underlying cassava storage root development.