Banca de QUALIFICAÇÃO: JULIANA MELO RODRIGUES

Uma banca de QUALIFICAÇÃO de MESTRADO foi cadastrada pelo programa.
STUDENT : JULIANA MELO RODRIGUES
DATE: 25/09/2025
TIME: 14:00
LOCAL: Sala 207 do Bloco Zeta do Campus de São Bernardo do Campo da Universidade Federal do ABC
TITLE:

Deciphering the role of miRNA-target gene modules in the cross-talk between biomass production and water deficit in the model Poaceae Setaria italica.

PAGES: 60
BIG AREA: Ciências Biológicas
AREA: Botânica
SUBÁREA: Fisiologia Vegetal
SPECIALTY: Ecofisiologia Vegetal
SUMMARY:

In the context of climate change, abiotic stress events are becoming more frequent, impacting plant development and biomass production, ultimately affecting crop survival, yield, and biofuel productivity. Plants have evolved genetic mechanisms to regulate these responses, including post-transcriptional regulation by microRNAs (miRNAs). These short non-coding molecules regulate gene networks by forming miRNA–target gene modules, which are associated with several biological processes, including drought response. We identified miRNA–target modules related to biomass production under water deficit in Setaria italica, a drought-tolerant C4 grass with high water-use efficiency. In silico analyses were performed using Illumina small RNA and mRNA sequencing data from a water deficit experiment. We identified 171 mature miRNAs, including 15 conserved, 4 known, and 152 novel ones, mostly derived from intergenic (66%) and intronic (20%) regions. Differential expression analysis revealed 23 differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) across drought treatments, including members of the conserved miR399 and miR9774 families, alongside novel miRNAs. Degradome sequencing enabled the validation of 21 miRNA–target modules. Functional enrichment of these targets highlighted Redox homeostasis, Lipid metabolism, and RNA biosynthesis, linked to stress response and development. Among the miRNA targets were copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (CSD1/2/3), a BBX class-IV transcription factor, and a Phospholipase-D, all central players in cellular homeostasis and stress adaptation. Overall, our results suggest that miRNAs play key regulatory roles in development and stress-responsive pathways in S. italica under drought conditions.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Presidente - Interno ao Programa - 3065803 - WAGNER RODRIGO DE SOUZA
Membro Titular - Examinador(a) Interno ao Programa - 1640121 - LUCIANA CAMPOS PAULINO
Membro Titular - Examinador(a) Externo à Instituição - IGOR CESARINO - USP
Membro Suplente - Examinador(a) Interno ao Programa - 3292123 - DANILO TRABUCO DO AMARAL
Membro Suplente - Examinador(a) Externo à Instituição - CRISTIANE PAULA GOMES CALIXTO - USP