The use of MicroRNA decoy technologies to inhibit miRNA function in arabidopsis

Abstract

The study of gene function is best achieved through the generation of loss-of-function mutants. However, for many plant microRNAs (miRNAs), this has proven challenging, as they often belong to sequence-related families, which are encoded by multiple genes that are functionally redundant. To overcome this issue, transgenic methods have been developed that express miRNA decoys, which can sequester and inhibit families of sequence-related miRNAs. This includes miRNA MIMICs, SHORT TANDEM TARGET MIMICs, and miRNA SPONGEs. Here, we describe the methods to generate transgenic Arabidopsis that express these miRNA decoys in order to determine miRNA function.