Event Title

Exploring the Role of miRNA 393 in Soybean Stress Response

Presenter Information

Dulanjani Rajaguru, Minnesota State University MankatoFollow

Location

CSU Ballroom

Start Date

21-4-2014 10:00 AM

End Date

21-4-2014 11:30 AM

Student's Major

Chemistry and Geology

Student's College

Science, Engineering and Technology

Mentor's Name

James Rife

Mentor's Email Address

james.rife@mnsu.edu

Mentor's Department

Chemistry and Geology

Mentor's College

Science, Engineering and Technology

Description

MicroRNAs (miRNA) are small non-coding RNAs about 22 nucleotides in length which function in regulating gene expression. miRNAs regulate protein synthesis by degrading mRNA, blocking initiation of protein synthesis and causing translocation of mRNA to processing bodies. Growing evidence indicates that miRNAs regulate a variety of biological processes. In plants, they regulate leaf, flower, root and vascular development as well as stress and defense responses. It has been predicted through sequence comparison studies that soybean miRNAs are associated with biological and environmental stress. In this project the role of miR393 in soybean stress responses was explored. Soybean (Edamame, “BeSweet 292”) were grown in a growth chamber. Plants (18 days post emergence) we treated to drought conditions, treated with abscisic acid (a hormone assocoiated with root stress) or auxin (a hormone stimulating root growth) and control treatment. Root tissue was harvested, frozen in liquid nitrogen. Small RNAs were isolated using a mirVana microRNA isolation kit. cDNA copies of the purified miRNA were prepared by reverse transcription using a microRNA Reverse Transcription kit. Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (Q-PCR) was used to measure levels of mir393.