@ARTICLE{10.3389/fpls.2017.00396, AUTHOR={Xie, Qi and Liu, Xue and Zhang, Yinbing and Tang, Jinfu and Yin, Dedong and Fan, Bo and Zhu, Lihuang and Han, Liebao and Song, Guilong and Li, Dayong}, TITLE={Identification and Characterization of microRNA319a and Its Putative Target Gene, PvPCF5, in the Bioenergy Grass Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum)}, JOURNAL={Frontiers in Plant Science}, VOLUME={8}, YEAR={2017}, URL={https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2017.00396}, DOI={10.3389/fpls.2017.00396}, ISSN={1664-462X}, ABSTRACT={Due to its high biomass yield, low environmental impact, and widespread adaptability to poor soils and harsh conditions, switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.), a warm-region perennial herbaceous plant, has attracted much attention in recent years. However, little is known about microRNAs (miRNAs) and their functions in this bioenergy grass. Here, we identified and characterized a miRNA gene, Pvi-MIR319a, encoding microRNA319a in switchgrass. Transgenic rice lines generated by overexpressing the Pvi-MIR319a precursor gene exhibited broader leaves and delayed flowering compared with the control. Gene expression analysis indicated at least four putative target genes were downregulated. Additionally, we cloned a putative target gene (PvPCF5) of Pvi-MIR319a from switchgrass. PvPCF5, a TCP transcription factor, is a nuclear-localized protein with transactivation activity and control the development of leaf. Our results suggest that Pvi-MIR319a and its target genes may be used as potential genetic regulators for future switchgrass genetic improvement.} }