miR160 and 167 and their Target mRNAs
Location
CSU Ballroom
Start Date
11-4-2017 10:00 AM
End Date
11-4-2017 11:30 AM
Student's Major
Chemistry and Geology
Student's College
Science, Engineering and Technology
Mentor's Name
James Rife
Mentor's Department
Chemistry and Geology
Mentor's College
Science, Engineering and Technology
Description
Corn is the second most prevalent crop across the world. Use of nitrogen fertilizer is a major factor in corn yields. However, nitrogen efficiency in cereal crops is estimated to be at only 33%.
Understanding how corn responds to changes in nitrogen levels can lead to an environmentally responsible increase in crop yields. Earlier work in this lab demonstrated that nitrate levels affect miRNA 160 and 167 levels in corn roots. These miRNAs are thought to target the mRNAs of auxin response factors (ARF). One-week-old corn plants were transferred to a hydroponic vessel containing Hoaglund’s solution minus nitrate. Two days after nitrogen starvation half of the plants were kept in Hoaglund’s minus nitrogen, and half were transferred to a Hoaglund’s with nitrogen solution. Root tips and root elongation zones were harvested at 1 hour and 22 hours after the transfer and analyzed for miRNA 160 and 167 levels. Nitrate was found to decrease levels of miR160 and 167 in the root tips and increase in the levels of 160 and 167 in the root elongation zones. MiR160 and 167 target mRNAs for ARF 17 and 6 respectively. These mRNAs will be examined to see if changes in their levels correlate with the miRNA levels.
miR160 and 167 and their Target mRNAs
CSU Ballroom
Corn is the second most prevalent crop across the world. Use of nitrogen fertilizer is a major factor in corn yields. However, nitrogen efficiency in cereal crops is estimated to be at only 33%.
Understanding how corn responds to changes in nitrogen levels can lead to an environmentally responsible increase in crop yields. Earlier work in this lab demonstrated that nitrate levels affect miRNA 160 and 167 levels in corn roots. These miRNAs are thought to target the mRNAs of auxin response factors (ARF). One-week-old corn plants were transferred to a hydroponic vessel containing Hoaglund’s solution minus nitrate. Two days after nitrogen starvation half of the plants were kept in Hoaglund’s minus nitrogen, and half were transferred to a Hoaglund’s with nitrogen solution. Root tips and root elongation zones were harvested at 1 hour and 22 hours after the transfer and analyzed for miRNA 160 and 167 levels. Nitrate was found to decrease levels of miR160 and 167 in the root tips and increase in the levels of 160 and 167 in the root elongation zones. MiR160 and 167 target mRNAs for ARF 17 and 6 respectively. These mRNAs will be examined to see if changes in their levels correlate with the miRNA levels.
Recommended Citation
Connolly, Patrick. "miR160 and 167 and their Target mRNAs." Undergraduate Research Symposium, Mankato, MN, April 11, 2017.
https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/urs/2017/poster-session-A/30
