Genome wide analysis of Phaseolus vulgaris L. miR172 gene family members under heavy metal stress

Common Beans are an important legume used in human nutrition. However, since plants are sessile organisms, they face many biotic and abiotic stress factors in the natural ecosystem. One of these challenging factors is heavy metal stress caused by anthropogenic activities. Heavy metals cause serious toxicity by affecting plant growth, yield and quality. To cope with these stress factors, plants use microRNAs that regulate the expression of target genes. miRNAs target genes involved in pathways related to plant growth and development. It also helps the plant gain stress tolerance by regulating the expression of stress-related genes. One of these miRNAs, miR172, plays important roles in plant growth and development processes. It is known that miRNAs are expressed at different levels depending on the applied species and heavy metal dose. The aim of this study is to learn the responses of miR172 and its target genes to four different heavy metal stresses and to bioinformatically perform genome-wide analysis of miR172 gene family members. In the study, 6 Pvul-miR172 were identified. These miRNAs were found to have cis-acting elements associated with stress. It has been determined that their target genes have binding and carrier functions on the membrane. Pvul-miR172 and its target genes were observed to show different expression levels depending on stress and genotype. The results obtained are aimed to contribute to the development of crop varieties resistant to heavy metal stress through miRNA-based genetic engineering applications.