Studies on microRNAs involved in vegetative phase change of fruit trees

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25660025
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Horticultural science
• Research Institution: Kyoto University
• Principal Investigator: YAMANE Hisayo 京都大学, (連合)農学研究科(研究院), 講師 (80335306)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): HABU Tsuyoshi 愛媛大学, 農学部, 准教授 (60335304)
• Research Collaborator: TANAKA Yusuke
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 果樹 / 花成 / 相転換

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Long period of juvenile phase (several years) in fruit tree species inhibits their rapid breeding. Understanding the internal control mechanism of phase transition from juvenile phase to adult phase would provide new insights to control flowering time in fruit tree species. Recently, two microRNAs such as miR156 and miR172 were reported to control phase transition in woody perennials. Here, we examined whether the same control mechanisms exist in deciduous fruit tree, Japanese apricot (Prunus mume) and evergreen fruit tree, grapefruit (Citrus paradisi). We found that miR156 and miR172 was up- and down-regulated, respectively, in juvenile phase whereas the opposite expression patterns were found in adult phase. Correlation between miR156/miR172 expressions and internally-regulated juvenility in adult tree was also found. Taken together, these results suggested that miR156/miR172 might be involved in internal control mechanism of vegetative phase transition in fruit trees.

Free Research Field

園芸学