Integrated transcriptomics and miRNAomics provide insights into the regulatory networks associated with coleoptile senescence in rice.. Integrated transcriptomics and miRNAomics provide insights into the regulatory networks associated with coleoptile senescence in rice.

Purpose: To understand the miRNAome changes during coleoptile senescence, small RNA libraries were constructed from control and senescence tissues and subjected to Illumina sequencing. Methods: Rice seeds were surface sterilized and submerged for seven days in sterile water. The seeds with coleoptile was transferred to aerobic condition. Senescence progression was monitored and tissues of un-senesced and senesced coleoptiles were harvested. Total RNA was isolated from the harvested tissues. Total four small RNA libraries of coleoptile senescence were constructed and high-throughput sequencing was performed using Illumina GA IIx system . . Results: Small RNA sequencing identified forty-one known and twenty-one novel miRNAs that were differentially expressed during coleoptile senescence. Integration of expression data of transcriptome and miRNAome identified 148 miRNA-mRNA modules, mainly comprised of miRNAs regulating TFs, signaling-associated factors and transporters, thereby demonstrating multi-tiered regulation of coleoptile senescence. Conclusions: The present study has generated a comprehensive resource of the molecular networks that enrich our understanding of the fundamental pathways regulating coleoptile senescence in rice. Overall design: miRNAomic profile of coleoptile senescence in rice.