Network analysis of lncRNAs involved in protein modification in the occurrence of Populus euphratica Oliv. heteromorphic leaves

Long ncRNAs (IncRNAs) play essential regulatory roles in almost all biological processes by modulating gene expression at the transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels. Post-translational modification (PTM) also plays critical roles in regulating gene expression and protein function. To study the role of PTM-associated IncRNAs in the genesis of Populus euphratica Oliver heterophyll, we analyzed the four heteromorphic leaves of P. euphratica using miRNA-seq and RNA-seq. Then based on the function of IncRNA targets, the identified IncRNAs were enriched by GO analysis. Finally, according to ceRNA theory, the IncRNA-miRNA-mRNA networks were constructed in P. euphratica heterophyll genesis. It was found that 84 IncRNAs regulated PTM by antagonizing 51 miRNAs, and these RNAs could coregulate the genesis of P. euphratica heterophyll through mainly protein phosphorylation modification and ubiquitination. Our results can provide a comprehensive landscape of IncRNA regulatory roles in plant morphogenesis.