Exploring the Effect of Methyl Jasmonate on the Expression of miR160 and miR166 and their Targeted Genes of Ajowan (Trachyspermum ammi (L.) Sprague) Medicinal Plant

Methyl jasmonate (MeJA) is a regulator that mediates the biosynthesis of secondary metabolism compounds. Plant microRNAs (miRNAs) play important roles in post-transcriptional gene regulation of plant growth, hormone signaling, and stress response. To explore the possible role of miRNAs in regulating the MeJA signaling pathway, here we investigated the effects of MeJA treatment on the expression of candidate miRNAs and their targets in Trachyspermum ammi. The study aimed to reveal the function of miR166 and miR166 in the controlled pathway of MeJA. To achieve our goal, two MeJA levels (0 and 100 mM) were conducted at four-point times (0, 6, 12, and 24 h). The findings elucidated that pri-miR160 and pri-miR166 have increased in response to MeJA. This suggested that pri-miR160 and pri-miR166 are relevant to hormone transmission. This study suggested that monitoring microRNA expression in response to MeJA plays a significant role in T. ammi and highlights the co-expression regulatory networks on the miR160/166 target genes in coordinating growth with environmental factors. However, to better understand how the response MeJA is regulated by microRNAs, further analysis of JA pathway biosynthesis and signaling events is required.