Differential expression of microRNAs in vegetative and reproductive organs of Marchantia polymorpha

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a crucial role in coordinating gene expression during plant development. Marchantia polymorpha, due to its unique evolutionary position, serves as a valuable model for investigating conserved and distinct miRNA-mediated gene regulation in land plants. Through our analysis, we identified differentially expressed conserved miRNAs in Marchantia's vegetative and reproductive organs, along with their conserved target mRNA expression. This supports their fundamental role in developmental processes. We also explored liverwort and Marchantia-specific miRNAs, observing distinct expression in different organs. Investigating the mechanisms behind their expression, we found that certain miRNAs are encoded by independent transcriptional units sharing sequence overlap with host genes. Our study indicates potential transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation of these miRNAs. By analyzing degradome data, we identified mRNA targets for these miRNAs, showing an inverse correlation in expression levels. These findings emphasize the significance of liverwort and Marchantia-specific miRNAs in governing development and reproduction.