First comprehensive study of small regulatory molecules in potato using full genome

Researchers at the James Hutton Institute have used the potato genome to conduct the first genome-wide study describing potato micro RNAs (miRNAs) using a high-throughput method. The James Hutton Institute led the UK effort in decoding the potato genome as part of an international consortium and this new study demonstrates how it can be put to use by researchers.

miRNAs are important as they form the code which makes genes active or not at the RNA level, so can control traits in potato like resistance to disease or tuberization. By using a high-throughput method the researchers identified 150 families of miRNAs in potato, 28 of which were conserved, meaning they can also be found in other species.

Their findings therefore will not only support future studies of the role of miRNAs in potato but has the potential of being used in the study of other Solanaceae species, like tomato, aubergine and peppers.

Dr Csaba Hornyik, lead author of the study, said it was the first step for future studies working on small non-coding RNAs and miRNAs in potato.

"It is really important to understand the molecular events playing a role in the development of potato or their responses to stress, which are still relatively poorly understood,” he said.

"This was an exploratory study to find as many miRNAs as we could in potato. We can now build on this knowledge to find out the role of miRNAs in tuber development and also investigate their roles upon biotic or abiotic stresses in potato.”

Co-author Dr Glenn Bryan added: “This study is a nice example showing how the genome sequence of potato can be utilised to perform genome-wide analysis for different types of gene. It is highly likely that miRNAs will play important roles in developmental processes and stress responses.”