The present invention generally relates to the production and expression
of microRNA (miRNA) in plants. In some cases, production and expression
of miRNA can be used to at least partially inhibit or alter gene
expression in plants. For instance, in some embodiments, a nucleotide
sequence, which may encode a sequence substantially complementary to a
gene to be inhibited or otherwise altered, may be prepared and inserted
into a plant cell. Expression of the nucleotide sequence may cause the
formation of precursor miRNA, which may, in turn, be cleaved (for
example, with Dicer or other nucleases, including, for example, nucleases
associated with RNA interference), to produce an miRNA sequence
substantially complementary to the gene. The miRNA sequence may then
interact with the gene (e.g., complementary binding) to inhibit the gene.
In some cases, the nucleotide sequence may be an isolated nucleotide
sequence. Other embodiments of the invention are directed to the
precursor miRNA and/or the final miRNA sequence, as well as methods of
making, promoting, and use thereof.
