New gene expression regulators: long non-coding RNAs

Abstract

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play key roles in the regulation of biological processes including response to environmental stresses either transcriptional or post-transcriptional levels. The salinity tolerance of barley may play an important role in understanding the salinity mechanism. The aim of this study is the investigation of molecular responses of four barley genotypes Hordeum vulgare L. (Hasat, Beysehir 99, Konevi 98 and Tarm 92) to 150 mM salinity during 3 days of germination period. To reveal the effect of lncRNAs, we performed Real-time PCR and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) studies. Study demonstrated salinity affected the expression levels of four lncRNAs, CNT0018772, CNT0031477, AK363461, and AK370506, during germination. Previous studies have shown that there was no statistical difference between barley varieties for expression level of CNT0018772 (p>0.05). However, our study indicated that there was statistically significant difference between barley varieties for CNT0031477 (p<0.05). Additionally, there was statistically significant difference between barley varieties for the two barley lncRNAs of AK363461 and AK370506, (p<0.05). We were also able to observe the localization of these four lncRNAs on barley chromosomes, which were exhibited under confocal microscope via in situ hybridization on barley root preparations. This study further supports the reasons why nowadays, lncRNAs are considered as major regulators.