The mutation of the MIR867 gene causes seed abortion and affects fruit size in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana

Abstract

MIR genes are genes that give rise to microRNAs (miRNAs), which are small RNAs that regulate key developmental processes such as flowering and embryogenesis. Little is known about its role in the formation of gametes, seeds and fruits. This work demonstrates that the activity of the promoter of the MIR867 gene has a specific expression pattern in male tissue during flower development. Using two T-DNA insertional mutants, a reduction in fruit size (siliques) in length and thickness, and semi-sterility phenotype was demonstrated. To find the cellular reason for the semi-sterility, the Alexander staining technique of pollen grains was used observing that there is defective pollen in the mutant lines. This study is the first report that relates the MIR gene with fruit formation and semi-sterility if seeds in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana.