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The atypical genesis and bioavailability of the plant‐based small RNA MIR2911: Bulking up while breaking down
Author(s) -
Yang Jian,
Kongchan Natee,
Primo Planta Cecilia,
Neilson Joel R.,
Hirschi Kendal D.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
molecular nutrition and food research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.495
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1613-4133
pISSN - 1613-4125
DOI - 10.1002/mnfr.201600974
Subject(s) - microrna , arabidopsis , rna , dicer , biology , small rna , microbiology and biotechnology , luciferase , transfection , genetics , computational biology , small interfering rna , mutant , gene
Scope The uptake of dietary plant small RNAs (sRNAs) in consumers remains controversial, which is mainly due to low dietary content in combination with poor fractional absorption. MIR2911, among all the plant sRNAs including microRNAs, has been shown to be one of the most robustly absorbed sRNAs. Here we analyze the unusual abundance and unique genesis of MIR2911 during vegetable processing. Methods and results Using qRT‐PCR, the abundance of MIR2911 increased dramatically in macerated tissues while other microRNAs degraded. The accumulation of MIR2911 correlated with the degradation of the rRNAs, consistent with MIR2911 being derived from the 26S rRNA. Bioinformatic analysis predicts a microRNA‐like precursor structure for MIR2911; however, no reciprocal increase in the putative star‐strand was noted, and using an Arabidopsis mutation deficient in miRNA processing the accumulation of MIR2911 appeared Dicer independent. MIR2911 was incorporated into the mammalian RNA‐induced silencing complex as demonstrated in HEK293T cells, where transfected synthetic MIR2911 modestly suppressed the activity of a cognate luciferase reporter. Conclusion The genesis and amplification of MIR2911 post‐harvest is atypical, as traditional plant bioactives are less plentiful as vegetables lose freshness. These findings offer an explanation to the disparity in serum detection between MIR2911 and canonical plant‐based miRNAs.