Pattern formation in leaves via small RNA mobility

Small RNAs, including microRNAs (miRNAs) and trans-acting short interfering RNAs (ta-siRNAs), have important regulatory roles in development. In plants, members of these classes of small RNAs act to pattern the adaxial–abaxial (dorsal–ventral) axis of leaves. The AUXIN-RESPONSE FACTOR (ARF) family members ARF3 and ARF4 are together necessary to establish abaxial (ventral) fate in leaves. ARF3 and ARF4 are targets of ta-siRNAs that are termed “tasiR-ARFs.” To begin to understand the possible role of tasiR-ARFs in leaf polarity, we have localized the biogenesis components of the tasiR-ARF pathway, including the microRNA miR390, the activity of the ARGONAUTE gene required for miR390 activity (AGO7), and the activity of tasiR-ARFs themselves. We provide evidence that the tasiR-ARF pathway in Arabidopsis acts non-cell autonomously to maintain the polarized accumulation of ARF3 in leaf primordia. Small RNAs (both miR390 and tasiR-ARFs) in this specialized RNAi pathway may contribute to its non-cell autonomous activity, as they accumulate outside their discrete regions of biogenesis. We propose that small RNAs can possibly function as mobile inductive signals to direct patterning events during developmen

Experimental studies and practical challenges in fluvial geomorphology

International audienceno abstrac