Screening of Brown Planthopper Resistant miRNAs in Rice and Their Roles in Regulation of Brown Planthopper Fecundity

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) can participate in plant-insect interactions, which regulate plant defense networks. In this study, we analyzed the miRNA expression profiles of six rice varieties before and after brown planthopper (BPH)-feeding. We identified 45 differentially expressed miRNAs between BPH-susceptible and BPH-resistant rice varieties and 144 miRNAs that responded to BPH-feeding. Thus, miRNAs may be involved in multiple pathways regulating rice defense response against BPH. In addition, we found that the genetic history of rice varieties determined the regulation mode of the miRNA and affected the amounts, types, changing trends and response periods of miRNAs in response to BPH-feeding. To conclude, we scanned seven potential cross-kingdom miRNAs, of which miR5795 may target the vitellogenin gene in BPH, causing a 16.07% reduction in BPH oviposition. The results provide new miRNA information of rice-BPH interactions and BPH-resistant rice variety breeding.

Automated summary

This study reveals the involvement of miRNA in plant defense response against brown planthopper (BPH). The genetic history of rice varieties determines the regulation mode of miRNA and affects their response to BPH-feeding. Furthermore, a potential cross-kingdom miRNA, miR5795, is found to target a gene in BPH, leading to a reduction in BPH oviposition.