MICROPEPTIDES AND USE OF SAME FOR MODULATING GENE EXPRESSION

Process for detecting and identifying micropeptides (miPEPs) encoded by a nucleotide sequence contained in the sequence of the primary transcript of a microRNA and use thereof for modulating gene expression.

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Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to micropeptides (peptides encoded by microRNAs or “miPEPs”) and use thereof for modulating gene expression.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The microRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs, about 21 nucleotides in length after maturation, which control expression of target genes at the post-transcriptional level, by degrading the target mRNA or by inhibiting its translation. The miRNAs occur in plants and animals.

The target genes are often key genes in developmental processes. For example they encode transcription factors or proteins of the proteasome.

The regulation of expression of the miRNAs is very poorly understood, but it is known in particular that the latter involves, like most coding genes, an RNA polymerase II: this enzyme produces a primary transcript, called “pri-miRNA”, which is then matured by a protein complex in particular containing the Dicer type enzymes. This maturation leads firstly to the formation of a precursor of miRNA called “pre-miRNA”, having a stem-loop secondary structure containing the miRNA and its complementary sequence miRNA*. Then the precursor is matured, which leads to formation of a shorter double-stranded RNA containing the miRNA and the miRNA*. The miRNA is then manipulated by the RISC complex, which cleaves the mRNA of the target gene or inhibits its translation.

Moreover, it has been shown that the presence of introns in the primary transcript of the microRNA increases the expression of the mature microRNA (Schwab et al., EMBO Rep., 14(7): 615-21, 2013). However, owing to experimental difficulties, the primary transcripts of microRNAs, or pri-miRNAs, have received very little study.

About 50% of eukaryotic genes have small open reading frames within their 5′UTR region (5′ UnTranslated Region) upstream of the coding sequence. These small open reading frames (or “uORFs” for upstream ORFs) may perform a role of translation regulator, mainly in cis, by modulating the fixation and the rate of the ribosomes on the mRNA, but also in trans by an as yet unknown mechanism, by means of peptides encoded by said uORFs (Combier et al., Gene Dev, 22: 1549-1559, 2008). By definition, the uORFS are present upstream of coding genes.

Recently, small ORFs have also been discovered in long intergenic non-coding RNAs (lincRNAs), the putative function of which, if it exists, is not known (Ingolia et al., Cell, 147(4): 789-802, 2011; Guttman & Rinn, Nature, 482(7385): 339-46, 2012).

However, no example has yet been reported concerning the existence of ORFs encoding peptides within non-coding microRNAs. Until now, the microRNAs, and by extension their primary transcript, have always been regarded, based on their particular mode of action, as non-coding regulatory RNAs that do not produce any peptide.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One of the aspects of the invention is to propose peptides capable of modulating the expression of microRNAs.

Another aspect of the invention is to propose a means for modulating the expression of one or more target genes of a microRNA.

The present invention offers the advantage of allowing easier and more effective control of the expression of genes targeted by the microRNAs, through a means other than the microRNA.

The invention thus relates to a process for detecting and identifying a micropeptide (miPEP) encoded by a nucleotide sequence contained in the sequence of the primary transcript of a microRNA,

comprising:

    • a) a step of detecting an open reading frame from 12 to 303 nucleotides in length contained in the sequence of the primary transcript of said microRNA, then
    • b) a step of comparison between:
      • the accumulation of said microRNA in a specified eukaryotic cell expressing said microRNA,
      • in the presence of a peptide encoded by a nucleotide sequence that is identical or degenerate relative to that of said open reading frame, said peptide being present in the cell independently of transcription of the primary transcript of said microRNA, and
      • the accumulation of said microRNA in a eukaryotic cell of the same type as the aforesaid specified eukaryotic cell expressing said microRNA, in the absence of said peptide,

in which a modulation of the accumulation of said microRNA in the presence of said peptide relative to the accumulation of said microRNA in the absence of said peptide indicates the existence of a micropeptide encoded by said open reading frame.

The invention relates in particular to a process for detecting and identifying a micropeptide (miPEP) encoded by a nucleotide sequence contained in the sequence of the primary transcript of a microRNA,

comprising:

    • a) a step of detecting an open reading frame from 15 to 303 nucleotides in length contained in the sequence of the primary transcript of said microRNA, then
    • b) a step of comparison between:
      • the accumulation of said microRNA in a specified eukaryotic cell expressing said microRNA,
      • in the presence of a peptide encoded by a nucleotide sequence that is identical or degenerate relative to that of said open reading frame, said peptide being present in the cell independently of transcription of the primary transcript of said microRNA, and
      • the accumulation of said microRNA in a eukaryotic cell of the same type as the aforesaid specified eukaryotic cell expressing said microRNA, in the absence of said peptide,

in which a modulation of the accumulation of said microRNA in the presence of said peptide relative to the accumulation of said microRNA in the absence of said peptide indicates the existence of a micropeptide encoded by said open reading frame.

The invention relates in particular to a process for detecting and identifying a micropeptide (miPEP) encoded by a nucleotide sequence contained in the sequence of the primary transcript of a microRNA,

comprising:

    • a) a step of detecting an open reading frame from 15 to 303 nucleotides in length, or of 12 nucleotides in length, contained in the sequence of the primary transcript of said microRNA, then
    • b) a step of comparison between:
      • the accumulation of said microRNA in a specified eukaryotic cell expressing said microRNA,
      • in the presence of a peptide encoded by a nucleotide sequence that is identical or degenerate relative to that of said open reading frame, said peptide being present in the cell independently of transcription of the primary transcript of said microRNA, and
      • the accumulation of said microRNA in a eukaryotic cell of the same type as the aforesaid specified eukaryotic cell expressing said microRNA, in the absence of said peptide,

in which a modulation of the accumulation of said microRNA in the presence of said peptide relative to the accumulation of said microRNA in the absence of said peptide indicates the existence of a micropeptide encoded by said open reading frame.

The invention relates in particular to a process for detecting and identifying a micropeptide (miPEP) encoded by a nucleotide sequence contained in the sequence of the primary transcript of a microRNA,

comprising:

    • a) a step of detecting an open reading frame of 12 nucleotides in length contained in the sequence of the primary transcript of said microRNA, then
    • b) a step of comparison between:
      • the accumulation of said microRNA in a specified eukaryotic cell expressing said microRNA,
      • in the presence of a peptide encoded by a nucleotide sequence that is identical or degenerate relative to that of said open reading frame, said peptide being present in the cell independently of transcription of the primary transcript of said microRNA, and
      • the accumulation of said microRNA in a eukaryotic cell of the same type as the aforesaid specified eukaryotic cell expressing said microRNA,
      • in the absence of said peptide,

in which a modulation of the accumulation of said microRNA in the presence of said peptide relative to the accumulation of said microRNA in the absence of said peptide indicates the existence of a micropeptide encoded by said open reading frame.

In a first step, the process for detecting and identifying a micropeptide therefore consists of detecting, on the primary transcript of a microRNA, the existence of an open reading frame potentially encoding a peptide.

For its part, the second step makes it possible to characterize said peptide, i.e. to determine whether said peptide corresponds to a peptide really produced in the cell, by searching for an effect of said peptide on the accumulation of said microRNA.

In order to demonstrate an effect of the peptide on the accumulation of the microRNA, a large quantity of peptide is introduced into a first cell expressing said microRNA. The accumulation of the microRNA in this first cell is then measured and compared with the accumulation of the microRNA in a second cell identical to the first, but not containing said peptide.

Observation of a variation of the quantities of microRNA between the cells in the presence and in the absence of the peptide thus indicates (i) that there is a peptide encoded on the primary transcript of said microRNA, (ii) that the sequence of this peptide is encoded by the open reading frame identified on the primary transcript of said microRNA, and (iii) that said peptide has an effect on the accumulation of said microRNA.

The invention is therefore based on the unexpected double observation made by the inventors that, on the one hand, there are open reading frames that are able to encode micropeptides present on the primary transcripts of microRNAs, and on the other hand that said micropeptides are capable of modulating the accumulation of said microRNAs.

In particular, the invention relates to a process for detecting and identifying a micropeptide (miPEP) encoded by a nucleotide sequence contained in the sequence of the primary transcript of a microRNA,

comprising:

    • a) a step of detecting an open reading frame from 15 to 303 nucleotides in length contained in the sequence of the primary transcript of said microRNA, then
    • b) a step of comparison between:
      • the accumulation of said microRNA in a specified eukaryotic cell expressing the primary transcript of said microRNA,
      • in the presence of a peptide encoded by a nucleotide sequence that is identical or degenerate relative to that of said open reading frame, said peptide being present in the cell independently of transcription of the primary transcript of said microRNA, and
      • the accumulation of said microRNA in a eukaryotic cell of the same type as the aforesaid specified eukaryotic cell expressing the primary transcript of said microRNA,
      • in the absence of said peptide,

in which a modulation of the accumulation of said microRNA in the presence of said peptide relative to the accumulation of said microRNA in the absence of said peptide indicates the existence of a micropeptide encoded by said open reading frame.

In particular, the invention relates to a process for detecting and identifying a micropeptide (miPEP) encoded by a nucleotide sequence contained in the sequence of the primary transcript of a microRNA,

comprising:

    • a) a step of detecting an open reading frame from 15 to 303 nucleotides in length, or of 12 nucleotides in length, contained in the sequence of the primary transcript of said microRNA, then
    • b) a step of comparison between:
      • the accumulation of said microRNA in a specified eukaryotic cell expressing the primary transcript of said microRNA,
      • in the presence of a peptide encoded by a nucleotide sequence that is identical or degenerate relative to that of said open reading frame, said peptide being present in the cell independently of transcription of the primary transcript of said microRNA, and
      • the accumulation of said microRNA in a eukaryotic cell of the same type as the aforesaid specified eukaryotic cell expressing the primary transcript of said microRNA,
      • in the absence of said peptide,

in which a modulation of the accumulation of said microRNA in the presence of said peptide relative to the accumulation of said microRNA in the absence of said peptide indicates the existence of a micropeptide encoded by said open reading frame.

In particular, the invention relates to a process for detecting and identifying a micropeptide (miPEP) encoded by a nucleotide sequence contained in the sequence of the primary transcript of a microRNA,

comprising:

    • a) a step of detecting an open reading frame of 12 nucleotides in length contained in the sequence of the primary transcript of said microRNA, then
    • b) a step of comparison between:
      • the accumulation of said microRNA in a specified eukaryotic cell expressing the primary transcript of said microRNA,
      • in the presence of a peptide encoded by a nucleotide sequence that is identical or degenerate relative to that of said open reading frame, said peptide being present in the cell independently of transcription of the primary transcript of said microRNA, and
      • the accumulation of said microRNA in a eukaryotic cell of the same type as the aforesaid specified eukaryotic cell expressing the primary transcript of said microRNA,
      • in the absence of said peptide,

in which a modulation of the accumulation of said microRNA in the presence of said peptide relative to the accumulation of said microRNA in the absence of said peptide indicates the existence of a micropeptide encoded by said open reading frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1. Effects of overexpression of MtmiR171b (miR171b identified in Medicago truncatula) on the expression of the HAM1 and HAM2 genes (A) or on the number of lateral roots (B) in M. truncatula.

(A) The y-axis indicates the relative expression of MtmiR171b (left-hand columns), of HAM1 (middle columns) or of HAM2 (right-hand columns) in a control plant (white columns) or in a plant in which MtmiR171b is overexpressed (black columns). The error bar corresponds to the standard error of the mean (number of individuals=10). The overexpression of MtmiR171b induces a decrease in the expression of the HAM1 and HAM2 genes.

(B) The y-axis indicates the mean number of lateral roots observed in a control plant (white column) or in a plant in which MtmiR171b is overexpressed (black column). The error bar corresponds to the standard error of the mean (number of individuals=100). The overexpression of MtmiR171b leads to a reduction in the number of lateral roots.

FIG. 2. Effects of overexpression of MtmiPEP171b1 on the expression of MtmiR171b and of the HAM1 and HAM2 genes (A) or on the number of lateral roots (B) in M. truncatula.

(A) The y-axis indicates the relative expression of MtmiPEP171b1 (graph on left), miR171b (graph on right, left-hand columns), of HAM1 (accession No. MtGI9-TC114268) (graph on right, middle columns) or of HAM2 (accession No. MtGI9-TC120850) (graph on right, right-hand columns) in a control plant (white columns) or in a plant in which MtmiPEP171b1 is overexpressed (black columns). The error bar corresponds to the standard error of the mean (number of individuals=10). The overexpression of MtmiPEP171b1 induces an increase in the accumulation of MtmiR171b, as well as a decrease in the expression of the HAM1 and HAM2 genes.

(B) The y-axis indicates the mean number of lateral roots observed in a control plant (white column) or in a plant in which MtmiPEP171b1 is overexpressed (black column). The error bar corresponds to the standard error of the mean (number of individuals=100). The overexpression of MtmiPEP171b1 leads to a reduction in the number of lateral roots.

FIG. 3. Effects of MtmiPEP171b1 on the expression of MtmiR171b and the HAM1 and HAM2 genes (A) and on the number of lateral roots (B) in M. truncatula.

(A) The y-axis indicates the relative expression of MtmiR171b (left-hand columns), of HAM1 (middle columns) or of HAM2 (right-hand columns) in a control plant (white columns) or in a plant treated by watering once daily for 5 days with MtmiPEP171b1 at 0.01 μM (light grey columns), 0.1 μM (dark grey columns) or 1 μM (black columns). The error bar corresponds to the standard error of the mean (number of individuals=10). Application of MtmiPEP171b1 at different concentrations induces an increase in the accumulation of MtmiR171b, as well as a decrease in the expression of the HAM1 and HAM2 genes.

(B) The y-axis indicates the mean number of lateral roots observed in a control plant (white column) or in a plant treated by watering with MtmiPEP171b1 at 0.1 μM once daily for 5 days (black column). The error bar corresponds to the standard error of the mean (number of individuals=100). Application of MtmiPEP171b1 at 0.1 μM leads to a reduction in the number of lateral roots.

(C) The y-axis indicates the relative expression of MtmiR171b (left-hand columns), of HAM1 (middle columns) or of HAM2 (right-hand columns) in a control plant (white columns) or in a plant treated by watering once daily for 5 days with MtmiPEP171b1 at 0.01 μM (grey columns), 0.1 μM (dark grey columns) or 1 μM (black columns) or with 0.01 μM of a scramble peptide (LIVSHLYSEKFDCMRKILRI, SEQ ID NO: 428) (light grey columns) the amino acid composition of which is identical to miPEP171b but the sequence of which is different. The error bar corresponds to the standard error of the mean (number of individuals=10).

FIG. 4. Effects of MtmiPEP171b1 on the expression of pre-MtmiR171b (A) and of MtmiR171b (B) in M. truncatula.

The y-axis indicates the relative expression of the precursors of the different forms of the microRNA in control plants (left-hand column) or in plants treated by watering once daily for 5 days with MtmiPEP171b1 at 0.01 μM, 0.1 μM or 1 μM (right-hand columns). The error bar corresponds to the standard error of the mean (number of individuals=200). Application of MtmiPEP171b1 at different concentrations leads to an increase in the accumulation of pre-MtmiR171b (A) and of MtmiR171b (B).

FIG. 5. Effects of overexpression of MtmiPEP171b1 (A) and effects of MtmiPEP171b1 (B) on the expression of different precursors of microRNAs in M. truncatula.

The y-axis indicates the ratio of the expression of the precursors of microRNAs in plants overexpressing MtmiPEP171b1 to the expression of these same precursors in control roots (A), or the ratio of the expression of the precursors of microRNAs in plants treated with MtmiPEP171b1 (0.1 μM) to the expression of these same precursors in control roots (B). The different precursors of microRNAs tested are indicated from left to right on the x-axis, namely pre-MtmiR171b (SEQ ID NO: 246), pre-MtmiR169 (SEQ ID NO: 359), pre-MtmiR169a (SEQ ID NO: 360), pre-MtmiR171a (SEQ ID NO: 361), pre-MtmiR171h (SEQ ID NO: 362), pre-MtmiR393a (SEQ ID NO: 363), pre-MtmiR393b (SEQ ID NO: 364), pre-MtmiR396a (SEQ ID NO: 365) and pre-MtmiR396b (SEQ ID NO: 366). The error bar corresponds to the standard error of the mean (number of individuals=10). It is noted that MtmiPEP171b1 only leads to an effect on the accumulation of MtmiR171b and not on the other miRNAs.

FIG. 6. Effects of translation of MtmiPEP171b1 on the expression of MtmiR171b demonstrated in the model plant Nicotiana benthamiana. The y-axis indicates the relative expression of MtmiR171b in tobacco plants transformed in order to express pri-MtmiR171b (white column) or a mutated pri-MtmiR171b in which the codon ATG has been replaced with ATT (black column). The mutated pri-MtmiR171b is therefore incapable of producing MtmiPEP171b1. The error bar corresponds to the standard error of the mean (number of individuals=30). It is noted that the absence of translation of MtmiPEP171b1 leads to a marked decrease in the accumulation of miR171b.

FIG. 7. Effects of overexpression of MtmiPEP171b1 on the expression of pre-MtmiR171b demonstrated in the model plant Nicotiana benthamiana.

The y-axis indicates the relative expression of pre-MtmiR171b in tobacco plants that have been transformed in order to express MtmiR171b (left-hand column), MtmiR171b and MtmiPEP171b1 (middle column), or MtmiR171b and a mutated version of MtmiORF171b in which the start codon ATG has been replaced with ATT (right-hand column). The error bar corresponds to the standard error of the mean (number of individuals=30). It is noted that the expression of MtmiPEP171b1 increases the expression of MtmiR171b, and this effect is dependent on the translation of MtmiORF171b to MtmiPEP171b1.

FIG. 8. Effects of MtmiPEP171b1 on the expression of pre-MtmiR171b demonstrated in the model plant Nicotiana benthamiana.

The y-axis indicates the relative expression of MtmiR171b in tobacco plants transformed in order to express MtmiR171b onto which MtmiPEP171b1 has been sprayed (0.1 μM) twice, 12 h and then 30 min before sampling (right-hand column) or not (left-hand column). The error bar corresponds to the standard error of the mean (number of individuals=6). The peptide MtmiPEP171b1 applied by spraying induces an increase in the accumulation of MtmiR171b.

FIG. 9. Effects of MtmiPEP171b1 on the expression of pri-miR171b (A), pre-MtmiR171b (B) and MtmiR171b (C) demonstrated in the model plant Nicotiana benthamiana.

The y-axis indicates the relative expression of the precursors of the different forms of the microRNA in tobacco plants modified in order to express MtmiR171b (left-hand column) or modified in order to express MtmiR171b and overexpress MtmiPEP171b1 (right-hand columns, FIG. 9A) or treated with 0.1 μM of miPEP171b1 (FIGS. 9B and C). The error bar corresponds to the standard error of the mean (number of individuals=30). The overexpression of MtmiPEP171b1 or application of miPEP171b1 increases the accumulation of pri-MtmiR171b (A), pre-MtmiR171b (B) and MtmiR171b (C).

FIG. 10. Localization of MtmiPEP171b1 in tobacco leaf cells that have been modified in order to express MtmiPEP171b1.

The photographs show tobacco leaf cells modified in order to express the protein GFP alone (left panel) or the protein GFP fused to MtmiPEP171b1 (right panel). These observations indicate that MtmiPEP171b1 is localized in small nuclear bodies.

FIG. 11. Effects of the expression of AtmiPEP165a (identified in Arabidopsis thaliana) on the expression of AtmiR165a (A), and of the expression of AtmiPEP319a2 (identified in Arabidopsis thaliana) on AtmiR319a (B), demonstrated in the model plant of tobacco.

(A) The y-axis indicates the relative expression of AtmiR165a in tobacco plants modified in order to express AtmiR165a (left-hand column) or to express AtmiR165a and AtmiPEP165a (right-hand column).

(B) The y-axis indicates the relative expression of AtmiR319a in tobacco plants modified in order to express AtmiR319a (left-hand column) or in order to express AtmiR319a and AtmiPEP319a (right-hand column).

The error bar corresponds to the standard error of the mean (number of individuals=30). In both cases, it is noted that the expression of miORF, and therefore the production of miPEP, leads to an increase in the accumulation of pre-miRNA.

FIG. 12. Effects of treatment with AtmiPEP165a on root growth in Arabidopsis thaliana.

The photograph shows two plants of the same age: a control plant (plant on the left) and a plant treated with AtmiPEP165a (plant on the right). The treatment with AtmiPEP165a leads to a phenotype with greatly accelerated root growth in Arabidopsis thaliana. The graph shows the expression of pre-miR165 in response to treatment with increasing doses of AtmiPEP165a.

FIG. 13. Conservation of the sequence of miPEP8 identified in Drosophila.

The sequences of miPEP8 (SEQ ID NO: 104) were deduced from the sequences of miORF8 (SEQ ID NO: 208) of 12 different Drosophila species and were aligned. A histogram shows the conservation of each amino acid between the sequences of miORF8 in the 12 species analysed.

FIG. 14. Evolution of the mass (kDa) and isoelectric point (pI) of miPEP8 in the Drosophila species.

The y-axis on the left indicates the size of the miPEP8 (in kD). The y-axis on the right indicates the isoelectric point of the miPEP. The x-axis indicates the origin of the miPEP, i.e. the Drosophila species. It is noted that despite a significant change in their size (by more than a factor of 3), the charge of the miPEPs is still very basic (>9.8) in the 12 species studied.

FIG. 15. Effect of the addition of sequences on the function of miPEP.

The tobacco leaves were transformed in order to overexpress miPEP171b. These graphs show that the addition of sequences (tag His, HA or GFP) does not alter the function of miPEP. The y-axis indicates the relative expression of pre-MtmiR171b in tobacco plants that have been transformed in order to express MtmiR171b (left-hand column), MtmiR171b and MtmiPEP171b1 with or without addition of protein tags (right-hand columns). The error bar corresponds to the standard error of the mean (number of individuals=6). It is noted that the expression of MtmiPEP171b1 increases the expression of MtmiR171b, and this effect is independent of the presence of tags.

FIG. 16. Expression of MtmiPEP171b1 in the root system of Medicago truncatula.

The roots of Medicago truncatula were transformed in order to express fusions between GUS protein (in blue) and the promoter of miR17b (A, E), the ATG of miPEP171b1 (B, F), whole miPEP171b1 (C, G) or ATG2 (second ATG located on the precursor, after miPEP) (D, H). It is clear that there is expression of miRNA in the root tips (A) as well as the lateral roots (E). The transcriptional (B, F) and translational (C, G) fusions show an expression of miPEP171b in the same tissues, whereas the next ATG is not active (D, H).

FIG. 17. Expression of DmmiPEP8 in cells of Drosophila melanogaster

The cells of Drosphila melanogaster were transfected in order to overexpress DmmiPEP8 (OE miPEP8) or miPEP8 of which the translation start codons have been mutated (OE miPEP8 mut). The y-axis indicates the relative expression of Pre-miR8. The error bar corresponds to the standard error of the mean (number of independent experiments=6). It is noted that the expression of DmmiPEP8 increases the expression of DmmiR8, and this effect is linked to the translation of the mRNA.

FIG. 18. Impact of DmmiPEP8 on accumulation of DmmiR8 in cells of D. melanogaster

The cells of Drosphila melanogaster were transfected in order to overexpress wild-type DmmiR8 (OE miR8) or DmmiR8 the translation start codons of which have been mutated (OE miR8 miPEP8 mut). The y-axis indicates the relative expression of Pre-miR8. The error bar corresponds to the standard error of the mean (number of independent experiments=2). It is noted that the presence of DmmiPEP8 increases the expression of DmmiR8.

FIG. 19. Impact of HsmiPEP155 on accumulation of HsmiR155 in cells of Homo sapiens

HeLa cells of Homo sapiens had been transfected in order to overexpress HsmiPEP155 (OE miPEP155). The y-axis indicates the relative expression of Pre-miR155. The error bar corresponds to the standard error of the mean (number of independent experiments=2). It is noted that the expression of HsmiPEP155 increases the expression of HsmiR155.

FIG. 20. Effects of translation of MtmiPEP171b1 on the expression of MtmiR171b demonstrated in the model plant Nicotiana benthamiana.

The y-axis indicates the relative expression of MtmiR171b in tobacco plants transformed in order to express pri-miR171b (left-hand column), a pri-miR171b in which the miORF171b has been deleted (middle column) or a mutated pri-miR171b in which the codon ATG has been replaced with ATT (right-hand column). The mutated pri-miR171b is therefore incapable of producing miPEP171b1. The error bar corresponds to the standard error of the mean (number of individuals=30). It is noted that the absence of translation of miPEP171b1 leads to a marked decrease in the accumulation of miR171b.

FIG. 21. Effects of overexpression of MtmiPEP171b1 on the expression of MtmiR171b demonstrated in the model plant Nicotiana benthamiana.

The y-axis indicates the relative expression of MtmiR171b in tobacco plants that had been transformed with a vector allowing the expression of miPEP171b and either a second empty vector (white column), or a vector allowing the expression of mtmiPEP171b (left black column), or a vector in which the codon ATG of the ORF encoding mtmiPEP171b has been replaced with ATT (middle black column), or a vector in which the nucleotide sequence of the ORF has been mutated without modifying the amino acid sequence of the translated peptide (miPEP encoded by a degenerate ORF) (right black column). The error bar corresponds to the standard error of the mean (number of individuals=30). It is noted that the expression of MtmiPEP171b1 increases the expression of MtmiR171b, and this effect is dependent on the translation of MtmiORF171b to MtmiPEP171b1.

FIG. 22. Effects of AtmiPEP165a on accumulation of AtmiR165a and of its target genes (PHAVOLUTA: PHV, PHABOL USA: PHB and REVOLUTA: REV).

The y-axis indicates the relative expression of AtmiR165a, PHV, PHB and REV in roots of Arabidopsis thaliana treated with water (control) or different concentrations of AtmiPEP165a (0.01 μM, 0.1 μM, 1 μM or 10 μM). The error bar corresponds to the standard error of the mean (number of individuals=10).

The treatment of plants with higher and higher concentrations of AtmiPEP165a demonstrates a dose-dependent effect of the accumulation of AtmiR165a and the negative regulation of its target genes as a function of the quantity of AtmiPEP165a.

FIG. 23. Effects of treatment with AtmiPEP164a on the expression of AtmiR164a in A. thaliana.

The photographs show the results of a Northern blot analysis of the accumulation of AtmiR164a in roots treated with water (control, photograph on left) or with 0.1 μM of a synthetic peptide, having a sequence identical to that of AtmiPEP164a, dissolved in water (0.1 μM miPEP164a). The RNA U6 is used as loading control making it possible to quantify the quantity of AtmiR164a.

This experiment was repeated 4 times independently and led to similar results.

Treatment of shoots of A. thaliana with 0.1 μM of miPEP164a leads to an increase in the accumulation of miR164a.

FIG. 24. Effects of treatment with AtmiPEP164a on the growth of Arabidopsis thaliana.

The photographs show two plants (top views and side views) after 3 weeks of growth: a control plant watered with water (A), and a plant watered with a composition of 0.1 μM of synthetic peptide corresponding to AtmiPEP164a (B). Watering plants of Arabidopsis thaliana with AtmiPEP164a increases plant growth significantly.

FIG. 25. Effects of treatment with AtmiPEP165a on the expression of AtmiR165a in A. thaliana.

The photographs show the results of a Northern blot analysis of the accumulation of AtmiR165a in roots treated with water (control, photograph on left) or with 0.1 μM of a synthetic peptide, having a sequence identical to that of AtmiPEP165a, dissolved in water (0.1 μM miPEP165a). The RNA U6 is used as loading control making it possible to quantify the quantity of AtmiR165a.

This experiment was repeated 4 times independently and led to similar results.

Treatment of A. thaliana shoots with 0.1 μM of miPEP165a leads to an increase in the accumulation of miR165a.

FIG. 26. Effects of overexpression of AtmiPEP319a1 on the expression of AtmiR319a in A. thaliana.

The y-axis indicates the relative expression of AtmiR319a in a control plant (left-hand column) or in a plant in which AtmiPEP319a1 is overexpressed (right-hand column). The error bar corresponds to the standard error of the mean (number of individuals=10). The overexpression of AtmiPEP319a1 induces an increase in the accumulation of AtmiR319a.

FIG. 27. Effects of treatment with AtmiPEP319a on the growth of Arabidopsis thaliana.

The photographs show two plants (top views and side views) after 3 weeks of growth: a control plant watered with water (A), and a plant watered with a composition of 0.1 μM of synthetic peptide corresponding to AtmiPEP319a1 (B). Watering of the plants of Arabidopsis thaliana with AtmiPEP319a1 increases plant growth significantly.

FIG. 28. Immunolocalization.

The roots of Medicago truncatula were transformed in order to express fusions between the GUS protein (in blue) and the ATG of miPEP171b (PromiR171b-ATG1:GUS) or ATG2 (second ATG located on the precursor, after miPEP) (PromiR171b-ATG2:GUS). Labelling was also carried out with an anti-miPEP171b antibody (miPEP171b). Immunolocalization of miPEP171b in the roots of M. truncatula reveals the presence of miPEP171b in the lateral root initiation sites, showing a co-localization between the microRNA and the corresponding miPEP.

FIG. 29. Effects of the overexpression of AtmiPEP160b1 on the expression of AtmiR160b in A. thaliana.

The y-axis indicates the relative expression of AtmiR160b in a control plant (left-hand column) or in a plant in which AtmiPEP160b1 is overexpressed (right-hand column). The error bar corresponds to the standard error of the mean (number of individuals=10). The overexpression of AtmiPEP160b1 induces an increase in the relative expression of AtmiR160b.

FIG. 30. Effects of AtmiPEP164a1 on the expression of AtmiR164a.

The y-axis indicates the relative expression of AtmiR164a in a control plant (left-hand column) or in a plant watered once a day with AtmiPEP164a1 at 0.1 μM (right-hand column). The error bar corresponds to the standard error of the mean (number of individuals=10).

The addition of AtmiPEP164a1 induces induces an increase in the relative expression of AtmiR164a.

FIG. 31. Effects of the overexpression of AtmiPEP319a1 on the expression of AtmiR319a in A. thaliana.

The y-axis indicates the relative expression of AtmiR319a in a control plant (left-hand column) or in a plant in which AtmiPEP319a1 is overexpressed (right-hand column). The error bar corresponds to the standard error of the mean (number of individuals=10).

The overexpression of AtmiPEP319a1 induces an increase in the relative expression of AtmiR319a.

FIG. 32. Effects of MtmiPEP169d on the expression of MtmiR169d in M. truncatula.

The y-axis indicates the relative expression of MtmiR169d in a control plant (left-hand column) or in a plant watered once a day with MtmiPEP169d at 0.1 μM (right-hand column).

The error bar corresponds to the standard error of the mean (number of individuals=10).

The addition of MtmiPEP169d induces an increase in the relative expression of MtmiR169d.

FIG. 33. Effects of the overexpression of MtmiPEP171e on the expression of MtmiR171e in M. truncatula.

The y-axis indicates the relative expression of MtmiR171e in a control plant (left-hand column) or in a plant in which MtmiPEP171e is overexpressed (right-hand column). The error bar corresponds to the standard error of the mean (number of individuals=10).

The overexpression of MtmiPEP171e induces an increase in the relative expression of MtmiR171e.

FIG. 34. Localization of the MtmiPEP171b1 in a wildtype plant M. truncatula.

Various amounts of synthetic peptides MtmiPEP171b1 (1, 0.5, or 0.1 nmol) and a total root extract from M. truncatula have been analysed by immunoblotting with an antibody specific for MtmiPEP171b1.

MtmiPEP171b1 is naturally produced in the roots of M. truncatula.

FIG. 35. Presence of AtmiPEP165a in a wildtype plant A. thaliana.

The upper picture corresponds to the western blotting analysis of the amount of AtmiPEP165a in a wildtype seeding plant of A. thaliana Col-0 (left-hand) and a seeding plant of A. thaliana overexpressing AtmiPEP165a (right-hand). The lower picture corresponds to the western blotting analysis of the amount of a control protein (tubulin) in a wildtype seeding plant of A. thaliana Col-0 (left-hand) and a seeding plant of A. thaliana overexpressing AtmiPEP165a (right-hand).AtmiPEP165a is naturally produced in A. thaliana and is present in larger amounts in plants overexpressing AtmiPEP165a.

FIG. 36. Action of AtmiPEP165a in A. thaliana.

(A) The y-axis indicates the relative expression of pri-miR165a in control roots (left-hand column) or watered once a day with AtmiPEP165a at 10 μM (right-hand column). The error bar corresponds to the standard error of the mean (number of individuals=10).

The addition of AtmiPEP165a induces an increase in the relative expression of AtmiR165a.

(B) The y-axis indicates the relative expression of pri-miR165a, in the presence of cordycepin (inhitor of the RNA synthesis), in control roots (grey curve) or watered once a day with with AtmiPEP165a at 10 μM (black curve). The x-axis indicates the duration of the treatment with cordycepin.

The addition of AtmiPEP165a does not induce a better stability of pri-miR165a.

(C) The y-axis indicates the relative expression of pri-miR165a, in wildtype plants (Col-0) or in plants mutated with a low allele of the second large subunit of RNA polymerase II (nrpb2-3). The x-axis indicates if the plants have been watered with water or with AtmiPEP165a at 10 at 10 μM.

Mutated plants, unlike wildtype plants, are not capable of accumulating AtmiR165a in response to AtmiPEP165a.

FIG. 37. Effects of the pri-miR171b on the number of lateral roots in M. truncatula.

The y-axis indicates the mean number of lateral roots observed in a control plant (white column) or in a plant in which the pri-miR171b is overexpressed (black column). The error bar corresponds to the standard error of the mean (number of individuals=100). The overexpression of pri-miR171b induces a decrease in the number of lateral roots.

FIG. 38. Translatability of DmmiPEP8 in Drosophila melanogaster cells

Some Drosophila melanogaster cells have been transfected to overexpress DmmiPEP8 (miPEP8::GFP) or DmmiPEPmt (of which start codons have been mutated (miPEP8 mt::GFP). As a transfection control, a plasmid producing moesin-RFP protein (lower picture) has been co-transfected with the plasmids encoding DmmiPEP8 (left-hand picture) and DmmiPEP8 mt (right-hand picture). It is observed that the start codons of the DmmiPEP8 sequence are functional because they allow the synthesis of GFP (top left picture) whereas the constructions with mutated ATGs do not produce hardly any GFP (top right picture).

Thus, these results suggest that the ORF of the miPEP is functional.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the invention, the terms “microRNA”, “non-coding microRNA” and “miRNA” are equivalent and may be used interchangeably. They define small molecules of RNA of about 21 nucleotides, which are not translated and do not lead to a peptide or a protein.

However, in this mature form, the microRNAs perform a function of regulation of certain genes via post-transcriptional mechanisms, for example by means of the RISC complex.

The primary transcript of the microRNA or “pri-miRNA” corresponds to the RNA molecule obtained directly from transcription of the DNA molecule. Generally, this primary transcript undergoes one or more post-transcriptional modifications, involving for example a particular structure of the RNA or cleavage of certain portions of the RNA by splicing phenomena, and which lead to the precursor form of the microRNA or “pre-miRNA”, then to the mature form of the microRNA or “miRNA”.

The terms “micropeptides” and “miPEPs” (microRNA encoded PEPtides) are equivalent and may be used interchangeably. They define a peptide that is encoded by an open reading frame present on the primary transcript of a microRNA, and which is capable of modulating the accumulation of said microRNA.

The micropeptides within the meaning of the present invention are not to be understood as necessarily being small peptides, as “micro” does not correspond to the size of the peptide. According to the invention, a miPEP can also be considered as a transcription modulator, and in particular a transcription activator. Such a transcription modulator can operate at the transcription level to modulate the accumulation of pri-miR, pre-miR and miR.

Taking into account the degeneracy of the genetic code, one and the same micropeptide may be encoded by several nucleotide sequences. Nucleotide sequences of this kind, differing from one another by at least one nucleotide but encoding one and the same peptide, are called “degenerate sequences”.

The terms “open reading frame” or “ORF” are equivalent and may be used interchangeably. They correspond to a nucleotide sequence in a DNA or RNA molecule that may potentially encode a peptide or a protein: said open reading frame begins with a start codon (the start codon generally encoding a methionine), followed by a series of codons (each codon encoding an amino acid), and ends with a stop codon (the stop codon not being translated).

In the invention, the ORFs may be called specifically “miORFs” when they are present on the primary transcripts of microRNA.

The miORFs as defined in the particular invention may have a size from 12 to 303 nucleotides and may encode peptides from 3 to 100 amino acids.

In particular, the miORFs as defined in the invention may have a size from 15 to 303 nucleotides. As an amino acid is encoded by a codon of 3 nucleotides, the miORFs from 15 to 303 nucleotides encode miPEPS from 4 to 100 amino acids.

In particular, the miORFs have a size of:

15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36, 39, 42, 45, 47, 51, 54, 57, 60, 63, 66, 69, 72, 75, 78, 81, 84, 87, 90, 93, 96, 99, 102, 105, 108, 111, 114, 117, 120, 123, 126, 129, 132, 135, 138, 141, 15 144, 147, 150, 153, 156, 159, 162, 165, 168, 171, 174, 177, 180, 183, 186, 189, 192, 195, 198, 201, 204, 207, 210, 213, 216, 219, 222, 225, 228, 231, 234, 237, 240, 243, 246, 249, 252, 255, 258, 261, 264, 267, 270, 273, 276, 279, 282, 285, 288, 291, 294, 297, 300 or 303 nucleotides, and encode respectively miPEPs having a size of:

4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 20 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100 amino acids.

In the invention, “accumulation” means the production of a molecule, such as a microRNA or a micropeptide, in the cell.

Thus, “modulation” of the accumulation of a molecule in a cell corresponds to a modification of the quantity of this molecule present in the cell.

Moreover, the effect of a miPEP can be observed through the modulation of the accumulation of the miR, but also through the modulation of the accumulation of the corresponding pri-miR or pre-miR.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a process for detecting and identifying a miPEP as defined above, in which the modulation of the accumulation of said microRNA is a decrease or an increase in the accumulation of said microRNA, in particular an increase.

A “decrease in the accumulation” corresponds to a decrease in the quantity of said molecule in the cell.

Conversely, an “increase in the accumulation” corresponds to an increase in the quantity of said molecule in the cell.

In an advantageous embodiment, the invention relates to a process for detecting and identifying a miPEP as defined above, in which the modulation of the accumulation of said microRNA is an increase in the accumulation of said microRNA.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a process for detecting and identifying a miPEP as defined above, in which the presence of said peptide in the cell results from:

    • the introduction of a nucleic acid encoding said peptide into the cell, or
    • the introduction of said peptide into the cell.

In order to characterize a miPEP, it is necessary to have a cellular model expressing a microRNA in which said peptide to be tested is present. For this, it is possible to introduce a peptide into the cell, either by bringing the cell into contact with said peptide, or by introducing a nucleic acid encoding said peptide into the cell, and this nucleic acid will then be translated into peptide within the cell.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a process for detecting and identifying a miPEP as defined above, in which said open reading frame in step a) is contained in the 5′ or 3′ portion of said primary transcript of the microRNA, preferably in the 5′ portion.

The 5′ or 3′ portions of the primary transcript of the microRNA correspond to the terminal portions of the RNA molecule that are cleaved during maturation of the microRNA.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a process for detecting and identifying a miPEP as defined above, in which said microRNA is present in a wild-type plant cell.

In the invention, a wild-type plant cell corresponds to a plant cell that has not been genetically modified by humans.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a process for detecting and identifying a miPEP as defined above, in which said microRNA is present in a wild-type animal cell, and in particular a wild-type human cell or a wild-type Drosophila cell.

In the invention, a wild-type animal cell corresponds to an animal cell, and in particular a human cell, that has not been modified genetically by humans.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a process for detecting and identifying a miPEP as defined above, in which said specified eukaryotic cell and said eukaryotic cell of the same type as the aforesaid specified eukaryotic cell, used in step b, are plant cells of a cruciferous plant such as Arabidopsis thaliana, of a leguminous plant such as Glycine max (soya), Medicago truncatula and Medicago sativa (alfalfa) or of a plant of the Solanaceae family such as Nicotiana benthamiana (tobacco), Solanum tuberosum (potato), Solanum lycopersicum (tomato) or Solanum melongena (aubergine).

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a process for detecting and identifying a miPEP as defined above, in which said specified eukaryotic cell and said eukaryotic cell of the same type as the aforesaid specified eukaryotic cell, used in step b, are plant cells, preferably cells of Medicago truncatula, Nicotiana benthamiana or Arabidopsis thaliana.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a process for detecting and identifying a miPEP as defined above, in which said specified eukaryotic cell and said eukaryotic cell of the same type as the aforesaid specified eukaryotic cell, used in step b, are animal cells, preferably human cells or Drosophila cells.

In the process for detecting and identifying a micropeptide as defined above, after identifying an ORF that is able to encode a peptide on the primary transcript of a microRNA, it is necessary to have a cellular model having said microRNA and said peptide, so as to be able to demonstrate a possible effect of the peptide on said microRNA. Two options are therefore conceivable:

    • the cellular model in which the miORF has been identified and that in which the effect of the peptide on the miRNA has been demonstrated are identical, or
    • the cellular model in which the miORF has been identified and that in which the effect of the peptide on the miRNA has been demonstrated are different.

In the first option, the cellular model used for observing an effect of the peptide is the same as that in which the primary transcript of said microRNA was isolated. In this cellular model, the specified eukaryotic cells contain said microRNA naturally and only the peptide to be tested has to be introduced into these cells. In this context, said microRNA is qualified as “of endogenous origin” as it exists naturally in the cells. Nevertheless, other copies of a microRNA of endogenous origin may be added to a cell, for example by introducing a vector encoding said microRNA of endogenous origin into the cell.

In the second option, the cellular model used for observing an effect of the peptide is different from that in which the primary transcript of said microRNA was isolated. In this cellular model, the specified eukaryotic cells contain neither the microRNA, nor the peptide to be tested. These two elements must therefore be introduced into these cells. In this context, said microRNA is qualified as “of exogenous origin” as it does not exist naturally in the cells.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a process for detecting and identifying a miPEP as defined above, in which said microRNA is of endogenous origin in said eukaryotic cell and in said eukaryotic cell of the same type as the aforesaid specified eukaryotic cell, used in step b).

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a process for detecting and identifying a miPEP as defined above in which said microRNA is of exogenous origin in said eukaryotic cell and in said eukaryotic cell of the same type as the aforesaid specified eukaryotic cell, used in step b), said eukaryotic cells containing a vector allowing the expression of said microRNA.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a process for detecting and identifying a miPEP as defined above, in which the accumulation of said microRNA is determined using quantitative RT-PCR or Northern blot.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a process for detecting and identifying a miPEP as defined above, in which the accumulation of said microRNA is determined using a DNA or RNA chip.

The accumulation of said microRNA may be determined using the techniques of molecular biology for assaying specific nucleic acid molecules.

In another aspect, the invention also relates to a process for detecting and identifying a microRNA in which the sequence of the primary transcript contains a nucleotide sequence encoding a miPEP, comprising:

    • a) a step of detecting an open reading frame from 15 to 303 nucleotides in length contained in the sequence of the primary transcript of said microRNA, then
    • b) a step of comparison between:
      • the accumulation of said microRNA in a specified eukaryotic cell expressing said microRNA,
      • in the presence of a peptide encoded by a nucleotide sequence that is identical or degenerate relative to that of said open reading frame, said peptide being present in the cell independently of transcription of the primary transcript of said microRNA, and
      • the accumulation of said microRNA in a eukaryotic cell, of the same type as the aforesaid specified eukaryotic cell expressing said microRNA,
      • in the absence of said peptide,

in which a modulation of the accumulation of said microRNA in the presence of said peptide relative to the accumulation of said microRNA in the absence of said peptide indicates the existence of a microRNA the primary transcript of which contains a nucleotide sequence encoding a micropeptide.

In particular, the invention relates to a process for detecting and identifying a microRNA in which the sequence of the primary transcript contains a nucleotide sequence encoding a miPEP,

comprising:

    • a) a step of detecting an open reading frame from 15 to 303 nucleotides in length contained in the sequence of the primary transcript of said microRNA, then
    • b) a step of comparison between:
      • the accumulation of said microRNA in a specified eukaryotic cell expressing the primary transcript of said microRNA,
      • in the presence of a peptide encoded by a nucleotide sequence that is identical or degenerate relative to that of said open reading frame, said peptide being present in the cell independently of transcription of the primary transcript of said microRNA, and
      • the accumulation of said microRNA in a eukaryotic cell, of the same type as the aforesaid specified eukaryotic cell expressing the primary transcript of said microRNA,
      • in the absence of said peptide,

in which a modulation of the accumulation of said microRNA in the presence of said peptide relative to the accumulation of said microRNA in the absence of said peptide indicates the existence of a microRNA the primary transcript of which contains a nucleotide sequence encoding a micropeptide.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a process for detecting and identifying a microRNA as defined above, in which the modulation of the accumulation of said microRNA is a decrease or an increase in the accumulation of said microRNA, in particular an increase.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a process for detecting and identifying a microRNA as defined above, in which the presence of said peptide in the cell results from:

    • the introduction of a nucleic acid encoding said peptide into the cell, or
    • the introduction of said peptide into the cell.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a process for detecting and identifying a microRNA as defined above, in which said open reading frame in step a) is contained in the 5′ or 3′ portion of said primary transcript of the microRNA, preferably in the 5′ portion. In an embodiment, the invention relates to a process for detecting and identifying a microRNA as defined above, in which said microRNA is present in a wild-type plant cell.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a process for detecting and identifying a microRNA as defined above, in which said microRNA is present in a wild-type animal cell, and in particular a wild-type human cell.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a process for detecting and identifying a microRNA as defined above, in which said eukaryotic cell, and said eukaryotic cell of the same type as the aforesaid specified eukaryotic cell, used in step b) are plant cells, preferably cells of Medicago truncatula.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a process for detecting and identifying a microRNA as defined above, in which said eukaryotic cell, and said eukaryotic cell of the same type as the aforesaid specified eukaryotic cell, used in step b) are animal cells, preferably Drosophila cells.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a process for detecting and identifying a microRNA as defined above, in which said microRNA is of endogenous origin in said eukaryotic cell and in said eukaryotic cell of the same type as the aforesaid specified eukaryotic cell, used in step b).

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a process for detecting and identifying a microRNA as defined above in which said microRNA is of exogenous origin in said eukaryotic cell and in said eukaryotic cell of the same type as the aforesaid specified eukaryotic cell, used in step b), said eukaryotic cells containing a vector allowing the expression of said microRNA.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a process for detecting and identifying a microRNA as defined above, in which the accumulation of said microRNA is determined using quantitative RT-PCR or Northern blot.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a process for detecting and identifying a microRNA as defined above, in which the accumulation of said microRNA is determined using a DNA or RNA chip.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a miPEP as obtained by implementing the process as defined above.

More particularly, the invention relates to a miPEP encoded by a nucleotide sequence as obtained by implementing the process as defined above. In other words, the invention relates to a miPEP encoded by a nucleotide sequence detected and identified by implementing the process as defined above.

Another aspect of the invention also relates to a miPEP of 3 to 100 amino acids, in particular of 4 to 100 amino acids, in particular of 4 to 60 amino acids, preferably of 4 to 40 amino acids, encoded by a nucleotide sequence contained in the primary transcript of a microRNA, said miPEP being capable of modulating the accumulation of said microRNA in a eukaryotic cell.

Another aspect of the invention also relates to a miPEP of 4 to 100 amino acids, or of 3 amino acids, encoded by a nucleotide sequence contained in the primary transcript of a microRNA, said miPEP being capable of modulating the accumulation of said microRNA in a eukaryotic cell.

Another aspect of the invention also relates to a miPEP of 3 amino acids encoded by a nucleotide sequence contained in the primary transcript of a microRNA, said miPEP being capable of modulating the accumulation of said microRNA in a eukaryotic cell.

In particular, the miPEP as defined in the invention is encoded by a miORF of 15 to 303 nucleotides and has a size of 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 25 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100 amino acids, in particular 5, 8, 10, 18, 19, 23, 37, 50 or 59 amino acids.

In particular, the miPEP of the invention has a size in the range from 4 to 10 amino acids, 4 to 20 amino acids, 4 to 30 amino acids, 4 to 40 amino acids, 4 to 50 amino acids, 4 to 60 amino acids, 4 to 70 amino acids, 4 to 80 amino acids, 4 to 90 amino acids, or 4 to 100 amino acids.

Moreover, it should be noted that several miORFS may be identified on the primary transcript of a microRNA, indicating that a primary transcript of microRNA may potentially encode several miPEPs.

It should also be noted that the effect of a miPEP is generally specific to a single microRNA, namely that resulting from the primary transcript encoding said miPEP.

The modulation of the microRNA by said miPEP may be demonstrated after observing a variation in quantities of microRNA between the cells in the presence and in the absence of the miPEP.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a miPEP as defined above, said nucleotide sequence being contained in the 5′ or 3′ portion of said primary transcript of a microRNA, preferably in the 5′ portion.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a miPEP as defined above, said nucleotide sequence corresponding to the first open reading frame present on said primary transcript of a microRNA.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a miPEP as defined above, said miPEP having a basic isoelectric point, preferably above 8.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a miPEP as defined above, said miPEP having an acidic isoelectric point.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a miPEP as defined above, said miPEP being selected from the group of peptides consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1 to SEQ ID NO: 104, SEQ ID NO: 375 to SEQ ID NO: 386, and SEQ ID NO: 355 (Table 1).

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a miPEP as defined above, said miPEP being selected from the group of peptides consisting of:

    • SEQ ID NO: 1 to SEQ ID NO: 104 and SEQ ID NO: 355,
    • SEQ ID NO: 375 to SEQ ID NO: 386, or
    • SEQ ID NO: 424.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a miPEP as defined above, consisting of the amino acid sequence MVT.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a miPEP as defined above, said miPEP being labelled.

Without restriction, a labeled peptide may be obtained by fusing said peptide to another peptide sequence, to a fluorescent marker (GUS, GFP, FAM, FITC, LacZ . . . ), to a signal sequence (allowing the addressing of the peptide), to a Tag sequence (allowing purification of miPEP) or to a radioactive isotope (I125, P32, . . . ).

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a labelled miPEP as defined above, said labelled miPEP being selected from the group of peptides consisting of:

    • SEQ ID NO: 1 to SEQ ID NO: 104 and SEQ ID NO: 355,
    • SEQ ID NO: 375 to SEQ ID NO: 386, or
    • SEQ ID NO: 424.

In a particular embodiment, the invention relates to the labelled MtmiPEP171b1 (SEQ ID NO: 59), preferably labelled by a fluorescent marker such as GUS, GFP, FAM, FITC or LacZ.

In a particular embodiment, the invention relates to the labelled AtmiPEP164a1 (SEQ ID NO: 24), preferably labelled by a fluorescent marker such as GUS, GFP, FAM, FITC or LacZ.

In a particular embodiment, the invention relates to the labelled AtmiPEP165a (SEQ ID NO: 43), preferably labelled by a fluorescent marker such as GUS, GFP, FAM, FITC or LacZ.

In a particular embodiment, the invention relates to the labelled AtmiPEP319a1 (SEQ ID NO: 76), preferably labelled by a fluorescent marker such as GUS, GFP, FAM, FITC or LacZ.

In a particular embodiment, the invention relates to the labelled AtmiPEP319a2 (SEQ ID NO: 77), preferably labelled by a fluorescent marker such as GUS, GFP, FAM, FITC or LacZ.

In a particular embodiment, the invention relates to the labelled AtmiPEP160b1 (SEQ ID NO: 14), preferably labelled by a fluorescent marker such as GUS, GFP, FAM, FITC or LacZ.

In a particular embodiment, the invention relates to the labelled MtmiPEP169d (SEQ ID NO: 424), preferably labelled by a fluorescent marker such as GUS, GFP, FAM, FITC or LacZ.

In a particular embodiment, the invention relates to the labelled MtmiPEP171e (SEQ ID NO: 63), preferably labelled by a fluorescent marker such as GUS, GFP, FAM, FITC or LacZ.

In a particular embodiment, the invention relates to the labelled DmmiPEP1a (SEQ ID NO: 102), preferably labelled by a fluorescent marker such as GUS, GFP, FAM, FITC or LacZ.

In a particular embodiment, the invention relates to the labelled DmmiPEP1b (SEQ ID NO: 103), preferably labelled by a fluorescent marker such as GUS, GFP, FAM, FITC or LacZ.

In a particular embodiment, the invention relates to the labelled DmmiPEP8 (SEQ ID NO: 104), preferably labelled by a fluorescent marker such as GUS, GFP, FAM, FITC or LacZ.

In a particular embodiment, the invention relates to the labelled HsmiPEP155 (SEQ ID NO: 355), preferably labelled by a fluorescent marker such as GUS, GFP, FAM, FITC or LacZ.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a nucleic acid molecule encoding a miPEP as defined above.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a nucleic acid molecule as defined above, said molecule being selected from the group of nucleic acids consisting of SEQ ID NO: 105 to SEQ ID NO 208, SEQ ID NO: 387 to SEQ ID NO: 399 and SEQ ID NO: 356 (Table 2).

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a nucleic acid molecule as defined above, said molecule being selected from the group of nucleic acids consisting of:

    • SEQ ID NO: 105 to SEQ ID NO: 208 and SEQ ID NO: 356,
    • SEQ ID NO: 387 to SEQ ID NO: 399, or
    • SEQ ID NO: 425.

In a particular embodiment, the invention relates to MtmiPEP171b1 (SEQ ID NO: 59) encoded by the nucleotide sequence (SEQ ID NO: 163) contained in the primary transcript of miR171b (SEQ ID NO: 319), said MtmiPEP171b1 being capable of modulating the accumulation of said miR171b in a eukaryotic cell.

In a particular embodiment, the invention relates to AtmiPEP164a1 (SEQ ID NO: 24) encoded by the nucleotide sequence (SEQ ID NO: 128) contained in the primary transcript of miR164a (SEQ ID NO: 297), said AtmiPEP164a1 being capable of modulating the accumulation of said miR164a in a eukaryotic cell.

In a particular embodiment, the invention relates to AtmiPEP165a (SEQ ID NO: 43) encoded by the nucleotide sequence (SEQ ID NO: 147) contained in the primary transcript of miR165a (SEQ ID NO: 305), said miPEP165a being capable of modulating the accumulation of said miR165a in a eukaryotic cell.

In a particular embodiment, the invention relates to AtmiPEP319a1 (SEQ ID NO: 76) encoded by the nucleotide sequence (SEQ ID NO: 180) contained in the primary transcript of miR319a (SEQ ID NO: 331), said AtmiPEP319a1 being capable of modulating the accumulation of said miR319a in a eukaryotic cell.

In a particular embodiment, the invention relates to AtmiPEP319a2 (SEQ ID NO: 77) encoded by the nucleotide sequence (SEQ ID NO: 181) contained in the primary transcript of miR319a (SEQ ID NO: 331), said AtmiPEP319a2 being capable of modulating the accumulation of said miR319a in a eukaryotic cell.

In a particular embodiment, the invention relates to AtmiPEP160b1 (SEQ ID NO: 14) encoded by the nucleotide sequence (SEQ ID NO: 118) contained in the primary transcript of miR160b (SEQ ID NO: 291), said AtmiPEP160b1 being capable of modulating the accumulation of said miR160b in a eukaryotic cell.

In a particular embodiment, the invention relates to MtmiPEP169d (SEQ ID NO: 424) encoded by the nucleotide sequence (SEQ ID NO: 425) contained in the primary transcript of miR169d (SEQ ID NO: 427), said MtmiPEP169d being capable of modulating the accumulation of said miR169d in a eukaryotic cell.

In a particular embodiment, the invention relates to MtmiPEP171e (SEQ ID NO: 63) encoded by the nucleotide sequence (SEQ ID NO: 167) contained in the primary transcript of miR171e (SEQ ID NO: 322), said MtmiPEP171e being capable of modulating the accumulation of said miR171e in a eukaryotic cell.

In a particular embodiment, the invention relates to DmmiPEPla (SEQ ID NO: 102) encoded by the nucleotide sequence (SEQ ID NO: 206) contained in the primary transcript of miR1 (SEQ ID NO: 353), said dmmiPEP1a being capable of modulating the accumulation of said miR1 in a eukaryotic cell.

In a particular embodiment, the invention relates to DmmiPEP1b (SEQ ID NO: 103) encoded by the nucleotide sequence (SEQ ID NO: 207) contained in the primary transcript of miR1 (SEQ ID NO: 353), said dmmiPEP1b being capable of modulating the accumulation of said miR1 in a eukaryotic cell.

In a particular embodiment, the invention relates to dmmiPEP8 (SEQ ID NO: 104) encoded by the nucleotide sequence (SEQ ID NO: 208) contained in the primary transcript of miR8 (SEQ ID NO: 354), said dmmiPEP8 being capable of modulating the accumulation of said miR8 in a eukaryotic cell.

In a particular embodiment, the invention relates to HsmiPEP155 (SEQ ID NO: 355) encoded by the nucleotide sequence (SEQ ID NO: 356) contained in the primary transcript of miR155 (SEQ ID NO: 358), said HsmiPEP155 being capable of modulating the accumulation of said miR155 in a eukaryotic cell.

In another aspect, the invention relates to an isolated peptide, or an isolated and purified peptide, or a synthetic peptide or a recombinant peptide, comprising or consisting of a sequence identical to that of a miPEP, said miPEP in particular being present naturally in a plant, or in an animal, such as humans.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a vector comprising at least one nucleic acid molecule as defined above.

In another aspect, the invention also relates to the use of at least:

    • a miPEP as defined above,
    • a nucleic acid encoding said miPEP, or
    • a vector containing said nucleic acid,

for modulating the expression of at least one gene in a specified eukaryotic cell,

said specified eukaryotic cell being capable of expressing a microRNA, the primary transcript of which contains at least one nucleotide sequence encoding said at least one miPEP and the accumulation of which is modulated by said at least one miPEP,

the expression of said at least one gene being regulated by said microRNA.

In another aspect, the invention also relates to the use of at least:

    • a miPEP of 4 to 100 amino acids, preferably of 4 to 40 amino acids, encoded by a nucleotide sequence contained in the primary transcript of a microRNA, said miPEP being capable of modulating the accumulation of said microRNA in a eukaryotic cell,
    • a nucleic acid encoding said miPEP, or
    • a vector containing said nucleic acid,

for modulating the expression of at least one gene in a specified eukaryotic cell, said specified eukaryotic cell being capable of expressing a microRNA, the primary transcript of which contains at least one nucleotide sequence encoding said at least one miPEP and the accumulation of which is modulated by said at least one miPEP,

the expression of said at least one gene being regulated by said microRNA.

In another aspect, the invention also relates to the use of at least:

    • a miPEP of 4 to 100 amino acids, or of 3 amino acids, encoded by a nucleotide sequence contained in the primary transcript of a microRNA, said miPEP being capable of modulating the accumulation of said microRNA in a eukaryotic cell,
    • a nucleic acid encoding said miPEP, or
    • a vector containing said nucleic acid,

for modulating the expression of at least one gene in a specified eukaryotic cell, said specified eukaryotic cell being capable of expressing a microRNA, the primary transcript of which contains at least one nucleotide sequence encoding said at least one miPEP and the accumulation of which is modulated by said at least one miPEP,

the expression of said at least one gene being regulated by said microRNA.

In another aspect, the invention also relates to the use of at least:

    • a miPEP of 3 amino acids, encoded by a nucleotide sequence contained in the primary transcript of a microRNA, said miPEP being capable of modulating the accumulation of said microRNA in a eukaryotic cell,
    • a nucleic acid encoding said miPEP, or
    • a vector containing said nucleic acid,

for modulating the expression of at least one gene in a specified eukaryotic cell,

said specified eukaryotic cell being capable of expressing a microRNA, the primary transcript of which contains at least one nucleotide sequence encoding said at least one miPEP and the accumulation of which is modulated by said at least one miPEP,

the expression of said at least one gene being regulated by said microRNA.

The invention is based on the surprising observation made by the inventors that it is possible to modulate the expression of one or more target genes of one and the same microRNA by modulating the accumulation of said microRNA using a miPEP.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to the use as defined above in which said specified eukaryotic cell is a plant cell.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to the use as defined above in which said specified eukaryotic cell is a plant cell of a crucifer such as Arabidopsis thaliana, of a leguminous plant such as Glycine max (soya), Medicago truncatula and Medicago sativa (alfalfa) or of a plant of the Solanaceae family such as Nicotiana benthamiana (tobacco), Solanum tuberosum (potato), Solanum lycopersicum (tomato) or Solanum melongena (aubergine).

In an embodiment, the invention relates to the use as defined above in which said specified eukaryotic cell is an animal cell, in particular human.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to the use as defined above in which said specified eukaryotic cell is an animal cell, in particular human, said miPEP not being used for surgical or therapeutic treatment of the human body or animal body, nor for modifying the genetic identity of a human being.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to the use as defined above in which said specified eukaryotic cell is an animal cell, said miPEP being used for surgical or therapeutic treatment of the human body or animal body.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to the use as defined above in which said microRNA and said gene are of endogenous origin in said specified eukaryotic cell.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to the use as defined above in which said microRNA and said gene are of exogenous origin in said specified eukaryotic cell, said specified eukaryotic cell containing at least one vector allowing the expression of said microRNA and of said gene.

In the invention, the expressions “of endogenous origin” and “of exogenous origin” are used for distinguishing said microRNAs and/or the genes of different species, in view of the conservation of the sequences between species.

Thus, the term “of endogenous origin” indicates that the microRNA and/or gene may be present naturally in the cell in question. Other copies of the microRNA and/or of the gene of endogenous origin may nevertheless be added artificially to the cell in question, for example by cloning.

Conversely, the term “of exogenous origin” indicates that the microRNA and/or the gene are never present naturally in the cell in question. It is a microRNA and/or a gene identified in another cellular type or in an organism of another species; this microRNA and/or this gene are therefore necessarily introduced artificially into the cell in question.

In the invention, a genetically transformed cell may therefore contain 2 groups of microRNAs and/or of genes potentially similar in terms of sequence, one of endogenous origin and the other of exogenous origin.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to the use as defined above in which the primary transcript of the miRNA and said gene are of exogenous origin in said specified eukaryotic cell, said specified eukaryotic cell containing at least one vector allowing the expression of the primary transcript of the microRNA.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to the use as defined above in which the primary transcript of the miRNA is encoded by a vector introduced into the cell artificially.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to the use as defined above in which said miPEP is selected from the group of peptides consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1 to SEQ ID NO: 104, SEQ ID NO: 375 to SEQ ID NO: 386 and SEQ ID NO: 355 (Table 1).

In an embodiment, the invention relates to the use as defined above in which said miPEP is selected from the group of peptides consisting of:

    • SEQ ID NO: 1 to SEQ ID NO: 104 and SEQ ID NO: 355,
    • SEQ ID NO: 375 to SEQ ID NO: 386, or
    • SEQ ID NO: 424.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to the use as defined above in which said miPEP is selected from MtmiPEP171b1 (SEQ ID NO: 59), AtmiPEP164a1 (SEQ ID NO: 24), AtmiPEP165a (SEQ ID NO: 43), AtmiPEP319a1 (SEQ ID NO: 76) and AtmiPEP319a2 (SEQ ID NO: 77).

In an embodiment, the invention relates to the use as defined above in which said miPEP is selected from MtmiPEP171b1 (SEQ ID NO: 59), AtmiPEP164a1 (SEQ ID NO: 24), AtmiPEP165a (SEQ ID NO: 43), AtmiPEP319a1 (SEQ ID NO: 76), AtmiPEP319a2 (SEQ ID NO: 77), AtmiPEP160b1 (SEQ ID NO: 14), MtmiPEP171e (SEQ ID NO: 63) and MtmiPEP169d (SEQ ID NO: 424),In an embodiment, the invention relates to the use as defined above in which said miPEP is selected from DmmiPEPla (SEQ ID NO: 102),

DmmiPEPlb (SEQ ID NO: 103) and DmmiPEP8 (SEQ ID NO: 104).

In an embodiment, the invention relates to the use as defined above in which said miPEP is HsmiPEP155a (SEQ ID NO: 355).

In an embodiment, the invention relates to the use as defined above in which said nucleic acid is selected from the group of nucleic acids consisting of SEQ ID NO: 105 to SEQ ID NO: 208 and SEQ ID NO: 356 (Table 2).

In an embodiment, the invention relates to the use as defined above in which said nucleic acid is selected from the group of nucleic acids consisting of:

    • SEQ ID NO: 105 to SEQ ID NO: 208 and SEQ ID NO: 356,
    • SEQ ID NO: 387 to SEQ ID NO: 399, or
    • SEQ ID NO: 425.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to the use as defined above in which said nucleic acid is selected from miORF171b (SEQ ID NO: 163), miORF164a1 (SEQ ID NO: 128), miORF165a (SEQ ID NO: 147), miORF319a1 (SEQ ID NO: 180) and miORF319a2 (SEQ ID NO: 181).

In an embodiment, the invention relates to the use as defined above in which said nucleic acid is selected from miORF171b (SEQ ID NO: 163), miORF164a1 (SEQ ID NO: 128), miORF165a (SEQ ID NO: 147), miORF319a1 (SEQ ID NO: 180), miORF319a2 (SEQ ID NO: 181), miORF160b1 (SEQ ID NO: 118), miORF169d (SEQ ID NO: 425) and miORF171e (SEQ ID NO: 167).

In an embodiment, the invention relates to the use as defined above in which said nucleic acid is selected from miORF1a (SEQ ID NO: 206), miORFlb (SEQ ID NO: 207) and miORF8 (SEQ ID NO: 208).

In an embodiment, the invention relates to the use as defined above in which said nucleic acid is selected from miORF155 (SEQ ID NO: 356).

In an embodiment, the invention relates to the use as defined above in which said microRNA is selected from the group of nucleic acids consisting of SEQ ID NO: 282 to SEQ ID NO: 354 and SEQ ID NO: 358.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to the use as defined above in which said microRNA is selected from the group of nucleic acids consisting of:

    • SEQ ID NO: 282 to SEQ ID NO: 354 and SEQ ID NO: 358,
    • SEQ ID NO: 412 to SEQ ID NO: 423, or
    • SEQ ID NO: 427.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to the use as defined above in which said microRNA is selected from miR171b (SEQ ID NO: 319), miR165a (SEQ ID NO: 305) and miR319a (SEQ ID NO: 331).

In an embodiment, the invention relates to the use as defined above in which said microRNA is selected from miR171b (SEQ ID NO: 319), miR164a (SEQ ID NO: 297), miR165a (SEQ ID NO: 305), miR319a (SEQ ID NO: 331), miR160b (SEQ ID NO: 291), miR171e (SEQ ID NO: 322) and miR169d (SEQ ID NO: 427).

In an embodiment, the invention relates to the use as defined above in which said microRNA is selected from miRla (SEQ ID NO: 353) and miR8 (SEQ ID NO: 354).

In an embodiment, the invention relates to the use as defined above in which said microRNA is selected from miR155 (SEQ ID NO: 358).

In another aspect, the invention relates in particular to a process for modulating the expression of a gene regulated by a microRNA in a eukaryotic cell,

comprising carrying out a step of accumulation of a miPEP in said eukaryotic cell,

    • said miPEP having:
      • a size from 3 to 100 amino acids, preferably 4 to 20 amino acids, and
      • a peptide sequence identical to that encoded by a nucleotide sequence contained in the primary transcript of a microRNA regulating the expression of said gene, and
      • being capable of modulating the accumulation of said microRNA,

in which the accumulation of said miPEP in said eukaryotic cell induces a modulation of the expression of said gene relative to the expression of said gene without accumulation of said miPEP.

In another aspect, the invention relates in particular to a process for modulating the expression of a gene regulated by a microRNA in a eukaryotic cell,

comprising carrying out a step of accumulation of a miPEP in said eukaryotic cell,

    • said miPEP having:
      • a size from 4 to 100 amino acids, or of 3 amino acids, and
      • a peptide sequence identical to that encoded by a nucleotide sequence contained in the primary transcript of a microRNA regulating the expression of said gene, and
      • being capable of modulating the accumulation of said microRNA,

in which the accumulation of said miPEP in said eukaryotic cell induces a modulation of the expression of said gene relative to the expression of said gene without accumulation of said miPEP.

In another aspect, the invention relates in particular to a process for modulating the expression of a gene regulated by a microRNA in a eukaryotic cell,

comprising carrying out a step of accumulation of a miPEP in said eukaryotic cell,

    • said miPEP having:
      • a size of 3 amino acids, and
      • a peptide sequence identical to that encoded by a nucleotide sequence contained in the primary transcript of a microRNA regulating the expression of said gene, and
      • being capable of modulating the accumulation of said microRNA,

in which the accumulation of said miPEP in said eukaryotic cell induces a modulation of the expression of said gene relative to the expression of said gene without accumulation of said miPEP.

In particular, the invention relates to a process for modulating the expression of a gene regulated by a microRNA in a eukaryotic cell,

comprising carrying out a step of accumulation of a miPEP in said eukaryotic cell,

    • said miPEP having:
      • a size from 4 to 100 amino acids, preferably 4 to 20 amino acids, and
      • a peptide sequence identical to that encoded by a nucleotide sequence contained in the primary transcript of a microRNA regulating the expression of said gene, and
      • being capable of modulating the accumulation of said microRNA,

in which the accumulation of said miPEP in said eukaryotic cell induces a modulation of the expression of said gene relative to the expression of said gene without accumulation of said miPEP.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a process for modulating the expression of a gene as defined above, in which the accumulation of said miPEP in the cell results from:

    • introduction of a nucleic acid encoding said miPEP into the cell, or
    • introduction of said miPEP into the cell.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a process for modulating the expression of a gene as defined above in which said eukaryotic cell is a plant cell.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a process for modulating the expression of a gene as defined above in which said eukaryotic cell is an animal cell and in particular a human cell.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a process for modulating the expression of a gene as defined above in which said eukaryotic cell is an animal cell and in particular a human cell, said process not being used for surgical or therapeutic treatment of the human body or animal body, nor for modifying the genetic identity of a human being.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a process for modulating the expression of a gene as defined above in which said microRNA and said gene are of endogenous origin in said eukaryotic cell.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a process for modulating the expression of a gene as defined above in which said microRNA and said gene are of exogenous origin in said eukaryotic cell, said eukaryotic cell containing at least one vector allowing the expression of said microRNA and of said gene.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a process for modulating the expression of a gene as defined above in which said miPEP is selected from the group of peptides consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1 to SEQ ID NO: 104, SEQ ID NO: 375 to SEQ ID NO: 386 and SEQ ID NO: 355.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a process for modulating the expression of a gene as defined above in which said miPEP is selected from the group of peptides consisting of:

    • SEQ ID NO: 1 to SEQ ID NO: 104 and SEQ ID NO: 355,
    • SEQ ID NO: 375 to SEQ ID NO: 386, or
    • SEQ ID NO: 424.

In a particular embodiment, the invention relates to a process for modulating the expression of a gene regulated by miR171b (SEQ ID NO: 319) in a eukaryotic cell, comprising carrying out a step of accumulation of MtmiPEP171b1 (SEQ ID NO : 59) in said eukaryotic cell,

in which the accumulation of said MtmiPEP171b1 in said eukaryotic cell induces a modulation of the expression of said gene relative to the expression of said gene without accumulation of said MtmiPEP171b1.

In a particular embodiment, the invention relates to a process for modulating the expression of a gene regulated by miR171b (SEQ ID NO: 319) in a eukaryotic cell, comprising carrying out a step of accumulation of MtmiPEP171b1 (SEQ ID NO: 59) in said eukaryotic cell,

in which the accumulation of said MtmiPEP171b1 in said eukaryotic cell induces a modulation of the expression of said gene relative to the expression of said gene without accumulation of said MtmiPEP171b1,

in which said gene is selected from the genes HAM1 (accession No. MtGI9-TC114268) and HAM2 (accession No. MtGI9-TC120850) (accession numbers according to the database Medicago truncatula Gene Expression Atlas “MtGEA”).

In a particular embodiment, the invention relates to a process for modulating the expression of a gene regulated by miR164a (SEQ ID NO: 297) in a eukaryotic cell,

comprising carrying out a step of accumulation of AtmiPEP165a1 (SEQ ID NO: 24) in said eukaryotic cell,

in which the accumulation of said AtmiPEP164a1 in said eukaryotic cell induces a modulation of the expression of said gene relative to the expression of said gene without accumulation of said AtmiPEP164a1.

In a particular embodiment, the invention relates to a process for modulating the expression of a gene regulated by miR165a (SEQ ID NO: 305) in a eukaryotic cell,

comprising carrying out a step of accumulation of AtmiPEP165a (SEQ ID NO: 43) in said eukaryotic cell,

in which the accumulation of said AtmiPEP165a in said eukaryotic cell induces a modulation of the expression of said gene relative to the expression of said gene without accumulation of said AtmiPEP165a.

In a particular embodiment, the invention relates to a process for modulating the expression of a gene regulated by miR319a (SEQ ID NO: 331) in a eukaryotic cell, comprising carrying out a step of accumulation of AtmiPEP319a1 (SEQ ID NO: 76) in said eukaryotic cell,

in which the accumulation of said AtmiPEP319a1 in said eukaryotic cell induces a modulation of the expression of said gene relative to the expression of said gene without accumulation of said AtmiPEP319a1.

In a particular embodiment, the invention relates to a process for modulating the expression of a gene regulated by miR319a (SEQ ID NO: 331) in a eukaryotic cell,

comprising carrying out a step of accumulation of AtmiPEP319a2 (SEQ ID NO: 77) in said eukaryotic cell,

in which the accumulation of said AtmiPEP319a2 in said eukaryotic cell induces a modulation of the expression of said gene relative to the expression of said gene without accumulation of said AtmiPEP319a2.

In a particular embodiment, the invention relates to a process for modulating the expression of a gene regulated by miR160b (SEQ ID NO: 291) in a eukaryotic cell,

comprising carrying out a step of accumulation of AtmiPEP160b1 (SEQ ID NO: 14) in said eukaryotic cell,

in which the accumulation of said AtmiPEP160b1 in said eukaryotic cell induces a modulation of the expression of said gene relative to the expression of said gene without accumulation of said AtmiPEP160b1.

In a particular embodiment, the invention relates to a process for modulating the expression of a gene regulated by miR169d (SEQ ID NO: 427) in a eukaryotic cell,

comprising carrying out a step of accumulation of MtmiPEP169d (SEQ ID NO: 424) in said eukaryotic cell,

in which the accumulation of said MtmiPEP169d in said eukaryotic cell induces a modulation of the expression of said gene relative to the expression of said gene without accumulation of said MtmiPEP169d.

In a particular embodiment, the invention relates to a process for modulating the expression of a gene regulated by miR171e (SEQ ID NO: 322) in a eukaryotic cell,

comprising carrying out a step of accumulation of MtmiPEP171e (SEQ ID NO: 63) in said eukaryotic cell,

in which the accumulation of said MtmiPEP171e in said eukaryotic cell induces a modulation of the expression of said gene relative to the expression of said gene without accumulation of said MtmiPEP171e.

In a particular embodiment, the invention relates to a process for modulating the expression of a gene regulated by miR1 (SEQ ID NO: 353) in a eukaryotic cell,

comprising carrying out a step of accumulation of DmmiPEP1a (SEQ ID NO: 102) in said eukaryotic cell,

in which the accumulation of said DmmiPEPla in said eukaryotic cell induces a modulation of the expression of said gene relative to the expression of said gene without accumulation of said DmmiPEP1a.

In a particular embodiment, the invention relates to a process for modulating the expression of a gene regulated by miRl (SEQ ID NO: 353) in a eukaryotic cell,

comprising carrying out a step of accumulation of DmmiPEP1b (SEQ ID NO: 103) in said eukaryotic cell,

in which the accumulation of said DmmiPEP1b in said eukaryotic cell induces a modulation of the expression of said gene relative to the expression of said gene without accumulation of said DmmiPEP1b.

In a particular embodiment, the invention relates to a process for modulating the expression of a gene regulated by miR8 (SEQ ID NO: 354) in a eukaryotic cell,

comprising carrying out a step of accumulation of DmmiPEP8 (SEQ ID NO: 104) in said eukaryotic cell,

in which the accumulation of said DmmiPEP8 in said eukaryotic cell induces a modulation of the expression of said gene relative to the expression of said gene without accumulation of said DmmiPEP8.

In a particular embodiment, the invention relates to a process for modulating the expression of a gene regulated by miR155 (SEQ ID NO: 358) in a eukaryotic cell,

comprising carrying out a step of accumulation of hsmiPEP155 (SEQ ID NO: 355) in said eukaryotic cell,

in which the accumulation of said hsmiPEP155 in said eukaryotic cell induces a modulation of the expression of said gene relative to the expression of said gene without accumulation of said hsmiPEP155.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a modified eukaryotic cell containing a peptide identical to a miPEP as defined above, said peptide being present in said eukaryotic cell independently of transcription of the primary transcript of the microRNA bearing the nucleotide sequence encoding said miPEP.

In the invention, by the term “modified eukaryotic cell” is meant that said eukaryotic cell contains a miPEP introduced into the cell artificially, whether as a peptide, or via a vector encoding said miPEP.

In addition to a miPEP introduced artificially in the cell, a modified eukaryotic cell according to the invention also contains at least one nucleic acid corresponding to the miORF encoding said miPEP.

In addition to a miPEP introduced artificially in the cell and of the miORF, a modified eukaryotic cell according to the invention also contains at least one miR, the primary transcript of which contains said miORF.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a modified eukaryotic cell as defined above, in which said microRNA is of endogenous origin.

In another embodiment, the invention relates to a modified eukaryotic cell as defined above in which said microRNA is of exogenous origin, said modified eukaryotic cell containing a vector allowing the expression of said microRNA.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a modified eukaryotic cell as defined above, said cell being a plant cell.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a modified eukaryotic cell as defined above, in which said plant cell is a cell of Medicago truncatula or of Arabidopsis thaliana, and said peptide is selected from the group of peptides consisting of:

    • SEQ ID NO: 1 to SEQ ID NO: 101,
    • SEQ ID NO: 375 to SEQ ID NO: 386, or
    • SEQ ID NO: 424.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a modified eukaryotic cell as defined above, in which said plant cell is a cell of Medicago truncatula or of Arabidopsis thaliana, and said peptide is selected from the group consisting of: SEQ ID NO: 43, SEQ ID NO: 59 and SEQ ID NO: 77.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a modified eukaryotic cell as defined above, in which said plant cell is a cell of Medicago truncatula or of Arabidopsis thaliana, and said peptide is selected from the group consisting of: SEQ ID NO: 59, SEQ ID NO: 24, SEQ ID NO: 43, SEQ ID NO: 76, SEQ ID NO: 77, SEQ ID NO: 14, SEQ ID NO: 424 and SEQ ID NO: 63.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a modified eukaryotic cell as defined above, said cell being an animal cell.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a modified eukaryotic cell as defined above, in which said animal cell is a Drosophila cell and said peptide is selected from the group of peptides consisting of SEQ ID NO: 102, SEQ ID NO: 103 and SEQ ID NO: 104.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a modified eukaryotic cell as defined above, in which said animal cell is a human cell and said peptide consists of SEQ ID NO: 355.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a plant comprising at least one modified eukaryotic cell as defined above.

In another aspect, the invention also relates to a non-human animal organism comprising at least one modified eukaryotic cell as defined above.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a composition comprising at least:

    • a miPEP as defined above,
    • a nucleic acid encoding said miPEP, or
    • a vector containing said nucleic acid.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a composition comprising at least one miPEP selected from the group consisting of:

    • SEQ ID NO: 1 to SEQ ID NO: 101,
    • SEQ ID NO: 375 to SEQ ID NO: 386, or
    • SEQ ID NO: 424.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a pesticide composition comprising at least:

    • a miPEP as defined above,
    • a nucleic acid encoding said miPEP, or
    • a vector containing said nucleic acid.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a phytopharmaceutical composition comprising at leaste:

    • a miPEP as defined above,
    • a nucleic acid encoding said miPEP, or
    • a vector containing said nucleic acid.

In another aspect, the invention relates to an elicitor composition comprising at least:

    • a miPEP as defined above,
    • a nucleic acid encoding said miPEP, or
    • a vector containing said nucleic acid.

“Elicitor composition” denotes a composition capable of endowing the plant with better capacity for symbiosis or better resistance to different stresses whether they are of the nature of thermal stress, water stress or chemical stress.

For this purpose, the invention also relates to compositions acting on the growth (inhibition of growth or conversely growth promotion) and the physiology (better capacity for mycorrhization, nodule formation, better tolerance of different stresses) of the plant.

In particular, the invention relates to compositions for promoting plant growth.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a herbicide composition comprising at least:

    • a miPEP as defined above,
    • a nucleic acid encoding said miPEP, or
    • a vector containing said nucleic acid.

In another aspect, the invention relates to an insecticide composition comprising at least:

    • a miPEP as defined above,
    • a nucleic acid encoding said miPEP, or
    • a vector containing said nucleic acid.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a composition, in particular a phytosanitary composition, comprising miPEP164a as active ingredient, said miPEP164a preferably consisting of SEQ ID NO: 24.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a composition, in particular a phytosanitary composition, comprising miPEP319a as active ingredient, said miPEP319a preferably consisting of SEQ ID NO: 76.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a composition, in particular a phytosanitary composition, comprising miPEP171b as active ingredient, said miPEP171b preferably consisting of SEQ ID NO: 59.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a composition, in particular a phytosanitary composition, comprising miPEP165a as active ingredient, said miPEP165a preferably consisting of SEQ ID NO: 43.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a composition, in particular a phytosanitary composition, comprising miPEP319a2 as active ingredient, said miPEP319a2 preferably consisting of SEQ ID NO: 77.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a composition, in particular a phytosanitary composition, comprising miPEP160b1 as active ingredient, said miPEP160b1 preferably consisting of SEQ ID NO: 14.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a composition, in particular a phytosanitary composition, comprising miPEP169d as active ingredient, said miPEP169d preferably consisting of SEQ ID NO: 424.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a composition, in particular a phytosanitary composition, comprising miPEP171e as active ingredient, said miPEP171e preferably consisting of SEQ ID NO: 63.The solubility properties of the miPEPs are in particular determined by their amino acid composition. The hydrophilic miPEPs can be dissolved and packaged in aqueous solutions, such as water. The hydrophobic miPEPs can be dissolved and packaged in solvents, such as organic solvents.

For treatment of plants with the miPEPS, the organic solvents are solvents that are non-toxic to the plants in small quantities, i.e. they do not have any harmful effect on the development of the plant. Non-limitatively, the organic solvents may be selected from acetonitrile and acetic acid.

The miPEPs can also be dissolved and packaged in mixtures of organic solvents, such as for example a mixture of acetonitrile and acetic acid. In particular, the miPEPs may be dissolved in a solution comprising 50% acetonitrile, 10% acetic acid and 40% water (volume/volume/volume).

Preferably, miPEPs 164a and 165a are dissolved in water, and miPEPs 171b and 319a are dissolved in a solution comprising 50% acetonitrile, 10% acetic acid and 40% water (volume/volume/volume).

Non-limitatively, the compositions, the pesticide compositions, the phytopharmaceutical compositions, the herbicide compositions and the insecticide compositions as defined above may comprise 10−9 M to 10−4 M of miPEP, in particular 10−9 M, 10−8 M, 10−7 M, 10−6 M, 10−5M or 10−4 M of miPEP.

Compositions of higher or lower concentration may also be provided depending on the applications envisaged. For example, compositions comprising 10−1 M to 10−3 M of miPEP, in particular 10−1 M, 10−2 M or 10−3 M of miPEP, may be envisaged in the case where the miPEP has to be administered to the plant by spreading.

In another aspect, the invention relates to the use of a composition as defined above, as a herbicide for eradicating plants or slowing their growth, preferably as a herbicide specific to a species or to a genus of plants.

In another aspect, the invention relates to the use of a composition as defined above, as a phytopharmaceutical agent,

    • for promoting the growth and/or development of plants,

in particular for modulating the physiological parameters of a plant, in particular the biomass, foliar surface area, flowering, fruit size, production and/or selection of plant seeds, in particular for controlling the parthenocarpy or the monoecism of a plant, or for modifying the physiological parameters of plant seeds, in particular germination, establishment of the root system and resistance to water stress,

    • or for preventing or treating plant diseases,

in particular for promoting resistance to infectious diseases.

In another aspect, the invention relates to the use of a composition as defined above, for modulating the physiological parameters of a plant, in particular biomass, foliar surface area, or fruit size.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to the use of a composition as defined above, for thinning of orchards in order to increase fruit size.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to the use of a composition as defined above, for production and/or selection of plant seeds, said composition being used for controlling the parthenocarpy or the monoecism of a plant.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to the use of a composition as defined above, said composition being administered to said plant via the leaves or via the roots.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to the use of a composition as defined above, for production and/or selection of plant seeds.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to the use of a composition as defined above, in which said composition is used for modifying the physiological parameters of said plant seeds, in particular establishment of the root system, germination and resistance to water stress.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to the use of a composition as defined above, in which said composition is applied by coating or film-coating of said plant seeds.

In another aspect, the invention relates to the use of a composition as defined above, as a pesticide, for eradicating organisms that are harmful to plants or that might be classified as such,

in particular as insecticide, arachnicide, molluscicide or rodenticide.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to the use of a composition as defined above, as insecticide.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to the use of a composition as defined above, for eradicating insect pests.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to the use of a composition as defined above, for eradicating animal species classified as harmful or liable to be classified as such, in particular the Muridae, in particular the rat.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to the use of a composition as defined above, as pesticide for eradicating organisms harmful to plants or liable to be classified as such,

in particular as insecticide, arachnicide, molluscicide, or rodenticide,

in particular by application of said composition to a plant or to a support in contact with the plant.

In another aspect, the invention relates to the use of a composition as defined above, in which said composition is applied to a plant to protect it against insect pests.

In another aspect, the invention relates to the use of a peptide for promoting the growth of a plant, said peptide being introduced into the plant, said peptide having an amino acid sequence comprising or consisting of a sequence identical to that of a miPEP naturally present in said plant,

said miPEP naturally present in said plant being a peptide of 4 to 100 amino acids the sequence of which is encoded by an open reading frame located on the primary transcript of a miRNA, said miPEP being capable of modulating the accumulation of said miRNA in said plant, said miRNA regulating the expression of at least one gene involved in the development of the vegetative or reproductive parts of the plant, in particular the roots, stem, leaves or flowers.

The inventors have surprisingly found that the use of peptides the sequence of which comprises or consists of a sequence identical to that of miPEPs encoded on the primary transcripts of miRNAs makes it possible to promote the growth of the plants.

In the invention, the term “plant” refers generally to the whole or part of a plant irrespective of its stage of development (including the plant in the form of a seed or a young shoot), to one or more organs of the plant (for example the leaves, roots, stem, flowers), to one or more cells of the plant, or to a cluster of cells of the plant.

In the invention, the term “growth” refers to the development of the whole or part of a plant over time. The growth of the plant may thus be determined and quantified by monitoring developmental parameters observable for certain parts, cells or organs of the plant, such as the leaves, roots, stems or flowers.

Non-limitatively, the parameters for determining and quantifying the growth of a plant may in particular be:

    • the size, surface area, volume, mass and the number of leaves,
    • the size and number of flowers,
    • the size of the stem (or spike),
    • the length and number of roots,
    • the earliness of germination,
    • the earliness of budding,
    • the earliness of floral induction (or floral transition),
    • or also the number of cells.

In the case of leguminous plants, plant growth may also be linked to the rate of nodulation, or also to the size and number of nodules on the roots.

Moreover, in the invention, the expression “promote plant growth”, or “improve plant growth”, indicates:

    • either an acceleration of development (such as for example a larger leaf size for a plant at a given point in time relative to a reference plant),
    • or an increase in development (such as for example a larger leaf size for a plant that cannot be attained by a reference plant),
    • or an acceleration and an increase in the development of the plant.

It is important to note that the use according to the invention has the advantage of being ecological, in comparison with the chemical methods used conventionally in horticulture or in agriculture, as the miPEP is a peptide that is present naturally in the plant.

The invention also relates to the use of a miPEP introduced into a plant for promoting its growth,

said miPEP introduced being a peptide comprising, or consisting of, a sequence identical to that of a miPEP naturally present in said plant,

said miPEP naturally present is a peptide of 4 to 100 amino acids, the sequence of which is encoded by an open reading frame located at 5′ on the primary transcript of a miRNA,

said miPEP being capable of modulating the accumulation of said miRNA in said plant,

said miRNA regulating the expression of at least one gene involved in the development of the vegetative or reproductive parts of the plant, in particular the roots, stem, leaves or flowers,

the sum total of the quantity of said miPEP introduced and that of said miPEP naturally present being strictly greater than the quantity of said miPEP naturally present.

In the invention, the expression “miPEP introduced” refers to a miPEP introduced into the plant artificially as opposed to the “miPEP present naturally in the plant”. The introduction of a miPEP into the plant therefore involves a technological step, which is not a natural phenomenon and corresponds neither to crossing, nor to selection.

The miPEP introduced may be either a peptide produced outside of the plant (for example an isolated and/or purified peptide, a synthetic peptide or a recombinant peptide), or a peptide produced in the plant following the non-natural introduction of a nucleic acid encoding said miPEP into said plant.

The plant into which the miPEP has not been introduced has a basal quantity of said miPEP, which corresponds to the quantity of said miPEP naturally present. The use of a miPEP comprising, or consisting of, a sequence identical to that of said miPEP leads to an increase in the total quantity of miPEP, which modulates the accumulation of the miRNA the primary transcript of which contains the sequence encoding said miPEP.

Moreover, the miPEP introduced is present in the plant and its introduction has no impact on its stability.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to the use as defined above, in which said gene, involved in the development of the vegetative or reproductive parts of the plant, is selected from the group consisting of: NAC1 (Accession No. AT1G56010.1), NAC4 (Accession No. AT5G07680.1), NAC5 (Accession No. AT5G61430.1), CUC1 (Accession No. AT3G15170.1), CUC2 (Accession No. AT5G53950.1), TCP3 (Accession No. AT1G53230.1) and TCP4 (Accession No. AT3G15030.1) (accession numbers according to the database The Arabidopsis Information Resource “TAIR”).

In particular, the invention relates to the use as defined above, in which said gene involved in the development of the vegetative or reproductive parts of the plant is selected from the group consisting of: NAC1, NAC4, NAC5, CUC1 and CUC2.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to the use as defined above, in which said gene involved in the development of the vegetative or reproductive parts of the plant is selected from the group consisting of: TCP3 and TCP4.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to the use as defined above, in which said miRNA is selected from miR164a and mir319a.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to the use as defined above, in which said miR is selected from miR164a, miR319a, miR171b, miR165a, miR160b, miR169d and miR171e.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to the use as defined above, in which said miPEP is selected from AtmiPEP164al, AtmiPEP319al, AtmiPEP319a2, MtmiPEP171b1, AtmiPEP165a1, AtmiPEP160b1, MtmiPEP169d, MtmiPEP 171e.

In particular, the invention relates to the use as defined above, in which said miR164a has a nucleotide sequence consisting of SEQ ID NO: 297.

In particular, the invention relates to the use as defined above, in which said miR164a has a nucleotide sequence having at least 80% identity, preferably at least 90% identity, with the nucleotide sequence SEQ ID NO: 297.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to the use as defined above, in which said miPEP is AtmiPEP164al, in particular in which said AtmiPEP164a1 has an amino acid sequence consisting of SEQ ID NO: 24.

In particular, the invention relates to the use as defined above, in which said miR319a has a nucleotide sequence consisting of SEQ ID NO: 331.

In particular, the invention relates to the use as defined above, in which said miR319a has a nucleotide sequence having at least 80% identity, preferably at least 90% identity, with the nucleotide sequence SEQ ID NO: 331.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to the use as defined above, in which said miPEP is AtmiPEP319a1, in particular in which said AtmiPEP319a1 has an amino acid sequence consisting of SEQ ID NO: 76.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to the use as defined above, in which said plant is a crucifer such as Arabidopsis thaliana, a leguminous plant such as Glycine max (soya), Medicago truncatula and Medicago sativa (alfalfa) or a plant of the Solanaceae family such as Nicotiana benthamiana (tobacco), Solanum tuberosum (potato), Solanum lycopersicum (tomato) or Solanum melongena (aubergine).

In an embodiment, the invention relates to the use as defined above, in which said plant is a crucifer.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to the use as defined above, in which said plant is Arabidopsis thaliana.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to the use as defined above, for promoting the growth of an Arabidopsis thaliana plant, in which AtmiPEP164a1 is introduced into said Arabidopsis thaliana plant, said AtmiPEP164a1 also being naturally present in said Arabidopsis thaliana plant,

said AtmiPEP164a1 introduced being a peptide the sequence of which comprises or consists of a sequence identical to that of said AtmiPEP164a1 naturally present, said sequence of AtmiPEP164a1 naturally present being encoded by an open reading frame located at 5′ on the primary transcript of the miR164a, which miR164a controls the expression of at least one gene involved in the development of the vegetative or reproductive parts of Arabidopsis thaliana,

the sum total of the quantity of said AtmiPEP164a1 introduced and that of said AtmiPEP164a1 naturally present being strictly greater than the quantity of said AtmiPEP164a1 naturally present in said Arabidopsis thaliana plant.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to the use as defined above, for promoting the growth of an Arabidopsis thaliana plant, in which the AtmiPEP319a1 is introduced into said Arabidopsis thaliana plant, said AtmiPEP319a1 also being naturally present in said Arabidopsis thaliana plant,

said AtmiPEP319a1 introduced being a peptide the sequence of which comprises or consists of a sequence identical to that of said AtmiPEP319a1 naturally present, said sequence of the AtmiPEP319a1 naturally present being encoded by an open reading frame located at 5′ on the primary transcript of the miR319a, which miR319a controls the expression of at least one gene involved in the development of the vegetative or reproductive parts of Arabidopsis thaliana,

the sum total of the quantity of said AtmiPEP319a1 introduced and that of said AtmiPEP319a1 naturally present being strictly greater than the quantity of said AtmiPEP319a1 naturally present in said Arabidopsis thaliana plant.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to the use as defined above, in which said miPEP is introduced into the plant externally, preferably by watering, by spraying or by adding a fertilizer, a compost, a culture substrate or an inert support.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to the use as defined above, in which said miPEP is introduced by watering and by spraying.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to the use as defined above, in which said miPEP is introduced by watering and by adding a fertilizer.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to the use as defined above, in which said miPEP is introduced by spraying and by adding a fertilizer.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to the use as defined above, in which said miPEP is introduced, by watering, by spraying and by adding a fertilizer.

The inventors have in fact unexpectedly found that it is possible to apply a composition comprising a miPEP directly to the plant in order to modulate the accumulation of the corresponding miRNA in the plant, which indicates that the miPEP is captured by the plant.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to the use as defined above, in which the plant is treated with a composition comprising 10−9 M to 10−4 M of said miPEP, in particular 10−9 M, 10−8 M, 10−7 M, 10−6 M, 10−5 M or 10−4 M of said miPEP.

Preferably, the compositions have a concentration from 10−8 M to 10−5 M for application by watering or by spraying on the plant.

In addition, compositions of higher or lower concentration may be envisaged for treating the plant with the miPEP. As a non-limitative example, compositions of higher concentration comprising 10−1 M to 10−3 M, in particular 10−2 M of miPEP, may be used in the case where the miPEP introduced exogenously is administered to the plant by spreading.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to the use as defined above, in which said miPEP is introduced into the plant by means of a nucleic acid encoding said miPEP, said nucleic acid being introduced into the plant. P In an embodiment, the invention relates to the use as defined above, in which the size of the stem is increased in the plant into which said miPEP has been introduced relative to the size of the stem of an identical plant of the same age into which no miPEP has been introduced, or relative to the size of the stem of an identical plant of the same age into which said miPEP has not been introduced.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to the use as defined above, in which the number of leaves is increased in the plant into which said miPEP has been introduced relative to the number of leaves of an identical plant of the same age into which no miPEP has been introduced, or relative to the number of leaves of an identical plant of the same age into which said miPEP has not been introduced.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to the use as defined above, in which the size of the leaves is increased in the plant into which said miPEP has been introduced relative to the size of the leaves of an identical plant of the same age into which no miPEP has been introduced, or relative to the size of the leaves of an identical plant of the same age into which said miPEP has not been introduced.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to the use as defined above, in which the number of roots is increased in the plant into which said miPEP has been introduced relative to the number of roots of an identical plant of the same age into which no miPEP has been introduced, or relative to the number of roots of an identical plant of the same age into which said miPEP has not been introduced.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to the use as defined above, in which the length of the roots is increased in the plant into which said miPEP has been introduced relative to the length of the roots of an identical plant of the same age into which no miPEP has been introduced, or relative to the length of the roots of an identical plant of the same age into which said miPEP has not been introduced.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to the use as defined above, in which the rate of nodulation is increased in the plant into which said miPEP has been introduced relative to the rate of nodulation of an identical plant of the same age into which no miPEP has been introduced, or relative to the rate of nodulation of an identical plant of the same age into which said miPEP has not been introduced.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to the use as defined above, in which the number of nodules is increased in the plant into which said miPEP has been introduced relative to the number of nodules of an identical plant of the same age into which no miPEP has been introduced, or relative to the number of nodules of an identical plant of the same age into which said miPEP has not been introduced.

The increase in the parameters for determining and quantifying growth in the plant into which the miPEP has been introduced (such as the size of the stem, the number and size of the leaves, the number and length of the roots, the rate of nodulation or also the number of nodules on the roots) is preferably demonstrated by comparison with an identical plant (i.e. a plant of the same species and/or variety), of the same age and grown under the same conditions but into which no miPEP has been introduced.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a process for promoting the growth of a plant, comprising a step of introducing a miPEP into a plant, said miPEP also being present naturally in said plant,

said miPEP introduced being a peptide of 4 to 100 amino acids the sequence of which comprises or consists of a sequence identical to that of said miPEP naturally present, said sequence of the miPEP naturally present being encoded by an open reading frame located at 5′ on the primary transcript of a miRNA, said miPEP being capable of modulating the accumulation of said miRNA, said miRNA regulating the expression of at least one gene involved in the development of the vegetative or reproductive parts of the plant, in particular the roots, stem, leaves or flowers,

the sum total of the quantity of said miPEP introduced and that of said miPEP naturally present being strictly greater than the quantity of said miPEP naturally present.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a process as defined above, in which said gene involved in the development of the vegetative or reproductive parts of the plant is selected from the group consisting of: NAC1 (Accession No. AT1G56010.1), NAC4 (Accession No. AT5G07680.1), NAC5 (Accession No. AT5G61430.1), CUC1 (Accession No. AT3G15170.1), CUC2 (Accession No. AT5G53950.1), TCP3 (Accession No. AT1G53230.1) and TCP4 (Accession No. AT3G15030.1).

In particular, the invention relates to a process as defined above, in which said gene involved in the development of the vegetative or reproductive parts of the plant is selected from the group consisting of: NAC1, NAC4, NAC5, CUC1 and CUC2.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a process as defined above, in which said gene involved in the development of the vegetative or reproductive parts of the plant is selected from the group consisting of: TCP3 and TCP4.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a process as defined above, in which said miR is selected from miR164a, miR319a, miR171b, miR165a, miR160b, miR169d and miR171e.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a process as defined above, in which said miPEP is selected from AtmiPEP164a1, AtmiPEP319a1, AtmiPEP319a2, MtmiPEP171b1, AtmiPEP165a1, AtmiPEP160b1, MtmiPEP169d, MtmiPEP171e.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a process as defined above, in which said miRNA is miR164a, in particular in which said miR164a has a nucleotide sequence consisting of SEQ ID NO: 297.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a process as defined above, in which said miPEP is AtmiPEP164a1, in particular in which said AtmiPEP164a1 has an amino acid sequence consisting of SEQ ID NO: 24.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a process as defined above, in which said miRNA is miR319a, in particular in which said miR319a has a nucleotide sequence consisting of SEQ ID NO: 331.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a process as defined above, in which said miPEP is AtmiPEP319a1, in particular in which said AtmiPEP319a1 has an amino acid sequence consisting of SEQ ID NO: 76.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a process as defined above, in which said plant is a crucifer such as Arabidopsis thaliana, a leguminous plant such as Glycine max (soya), Medicago truncatula and Medicago sativa (alfalfa) or a plant of the Solanaceae family such as Nicotiana benthamiana (tobacco), Solanum tuberosum (potato), Solanum lycopersicum (tomato) or Solanum melongena (aubergine).

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a process as defined above, in which said plant is a crucifer.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a process as defined above, in which said plant is Arabidopsis thaliana.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a process as defined above, for promoting the growth of an Arabidopsis thaliana plant, in which AtmiPEP164a1 is introduced into said Arabidopsis thaliana plant, said AtmiPEP164a1 also being naturally present in said Arabidopsis thaliana plant,

said AtmiPEP164a1 introduced being a peptide comprising or consisting of a sequence identical to that of said AtmiPEP164a1 naturally present, where the AtmiPEP164a1 naturally present is a peptide of 4 to 100 amino acids the sequence of which is encoded by an open reading frame located at 5′ on the primary transcript of the miR164a,

said AtmiPEP164a1 being capable of increasing the accumulation of said miR164a, where said miR164a regulates the expression of at least one gene involved in the development of the vegetative or reproductive parts of Arabidopsis thaliana,

the sum total of the quantity of said AtmiPEP164a1 introduced and that of said AtmiPEP164a1 naturally present being strictly greater than the quantity of said AtmiPEP164a1 naturally present.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a process as defined above, for promoting the growth of an Arabidopsis thaliana plant, in which AtmiPEP319a1 is introduced into said Arabidopsis thaliana plant, said AtmiPEP319a1 also being naturally present in said Arabidopsis thaliana plant,

said AtmiPEP319a1 introduced being a peptide comprising or consisting of a sequence identical to that of said AtmiPEP319a1 naturally present, where the AtmiPEP319a1 naturally present is a peptide of 4 to 100 amino acids the sequence of which is encoded by an open reading frame located at 5′ on the primary transcript of the miR319a,

said AtmiPEP319a1 being capable of increasing the accumulation of said miR319a, where miR319a regulates the expression of at least one gene involved in the development of the vegetative or reproductive parts of Arabidopsis thaliana,

the sum total of the quantity of said AtmiPEP319a1 introduced and that of said AtmiPEP319a1 naturally present being strictly greater than the quantity of said AtmiPEP319a1 naturally present.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a process as defined above, in which said miPEP is introduced into the plant externally, preferably by watering, by spraying or by adding a fertilizer, a compost, a culture substrate or an inert support.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a process as defined above, in which said miPEP is administered to the plant in the form of a composition comprising 10−9 M to 10−4 M of said miPEP, in particular 10−9, 10−8, 10−7, 10−6, 10−5 or 10−4 M of said miPEP.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a process as defined above, in which said miPEP is introduced into the plant by means of a nucleic acid encoding said miPEP, said nucleic acid being introduced into the plant.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a process as defined above, in which the size of the stem is increased in the plant into which said miPEP has been introduced relative to the size of the stem of an identical plant of the same age into which no miPEP has been introduced, or relative to the size of the stem of an identical plant of the same age into which said miPEP has not been introduced.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a process as defined above, in which the number of leaves is increased in the plant into which said miPEP has been introduced relative to the number of leaves of an identical plant of the same age into which no miPEP has been introduced, or relative to the number of leaves of an identical plant of the same age into which said miPEP has not been introduced.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a process as defined above, in which the size of the leaves is increased in the plant into which said miPEP has been introduced relative to the size of the leaves of an identical plant of the same age into which no miPEP has been introduced, or relative to the size of the leaves of an identical plant of the same age into which said miPEP has not been introduced.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a process as defined above, in which the number of roots is increased in the plant into which said miPEP has been introduced relative to the number of roots of an identical plant of the same age into which no miPEP has been introduced, or relative to the number of roots of an identical plant of the same age into which said miPEP has not been introduced.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a process as defined above, in which the length of the roots is increased in the plant into which said miPEP has been introduced relative to the length of the roots of an identical plant of the same age into which no miPEP has been introduced, or relative to the length of the roots of an identical plant of the same age into which said miPEP has not been introduced.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a process as defined above, in which the rate of nodulation is increased in the plant into which said miPEP has been introduced relative to the rate of nodulation of an identical plant of the same age into which no miPEP has been introduced, or relative to the rate of nodulation of an identical plant of the same age into which said miPEP has not been introduced.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a process as defined above, in which the number of nodules is increased in the plant into which said miPEP has been introduced relative to the number of nodules of an identical plant of the same age into which no miPEP has been introduced, or relative to the number of nodules of an identical plant of the same age into which said miPEP has not been introduced.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a plant into which a miPEP has been introduced according to the use or the process for promoting the growth of a plant described above. In another aspect, the invention relates to a process for producing a transgenic plant comprising: a) a step of introducing a nucleic acid encoding a miPEP of 4 to 100 amino acids into a plant, or into at least one cell of said plant, under conditions allowing the expression of said miPEP,

said miPEP also being naturally present in said plant, said miPEP naturally present being a peptide the sequence of which is encoded by an open reading frame located at 5′ on the primary transcript of a miR, said miPEP being capable of modulating the accumulation of said miR in the plant, said miR regulating the expression of at least one gene involved in the development of the vegetative or reproductive parts of the plant, in particular the roots, stem, leaves or flowers, and

  • b) a step of culturing the plant, or at least one cell of said plant, obtained in step a) under conditions allowing a transgenic plant to be obtained.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a process for producing a transgenic plant comprising:

  • a) a step of introducing a nucleic acid encoding a miPEP of 4 to 100 amino acids, or of 3 amino acids, into a plant, or into at least one cell of said plant, under conditions allowing the expression of said miPEP,

said miPEP also being naturally present in said plant, said miPEP naturally present being a peptide the sequence of which is encoded by an open reading frame located at 5′ on the primary transcript of a miR, said miPEP being capable of modulating the accumulation of said miR in the plant, said miR regulating the expression of at least one gene involved in the development of the vegetative or reproductive parts of the plant, in particular the roots, stem, leaves or flowers, and

  • b) a step of culturing the plant, or at least one cell of said plant, obtained in step a) under conditions allowing a transgenic plant to be obtained.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a process for producing a transgenic plant comprising:

  • a) a step of introducing a nucleic acid encoding a miPEP of 3 amino acids, into a plant, or into at least one cell of said plant, under conditions allowing the expression of said miPEP,

said miPEP also being naturally present in said plant, said miPEP naturally present being a peptide the sequence of which is encoded by an open reading frame located at 5′ on the primary transcript of a miR, said miPEP being capable of modulating the accumulation of said miR in the plant, said miR regulating the expression of at least one gene involved in the development of the vegetative or reproductive parts of the plant, in particular the roots, stem, leaves or flowers, and

b) a step of culturing the plant, or at least one cell of said plant, obtained in step a) under conditions allowing a transgenic plant to be obtained.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a process for producing a transgenic plant as defined above, in which said transgenic plant obtained in step b) has improved growth relative to an identical plant in which said nucleic acid has not been introduced.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a process for producing a transgenic plant as defined above, in which the expression of saif miPEP encoded by the nucleic acid introduced in the plant results in an improved growth relative to an identical plant in which said nucleic acid has not been introduced.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a process for producing a transgenic plant as defined above, in which step a) is carried out using a vector containing said nucleic acid, preferably a plasmid.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a process for producing a transgenic plant as defined above, in which the expression of said nucleic acid of step a) is placed under the control of a strong promoter, preferably a constitutive strong promoter such as the 35S promoter.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a process for producing a transgenic plant as defined above, in which said gene involved in the development of the vegetative or reproductive parts of the plant is selected from the group consisting of: NAC1 (Accession No. AT1G56010.1), NAC4 (Accession No. AT5G07680.1), NAC5 (Accession No. AT5G61430.1), CUC1 (Accession No. AT3G15170.1), CUC2 (Accession No. AT5G53950.1), TCP3 (Accession No. AT1G53230.1) and TCP4 (Accession No. AT3G15030.1).

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a process for producing a transgenic plant as defined above, in which said miPEP has an amino acid sequence comprising or consisting of a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1 to SEQ ID NO: 101 and SEQ ID NO: 375 to SEQ ID NO: 386.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a process for producing a transgenic plant as defined above, in which said miPEP has an amino acid sequence comprising or consisting of a sequence selected from the group consisting of:

    • SEQ ID NO: 1 to SEQ ID NO: 101,
    • SEQ ID NO: 375 to SEQ ID NO: 386, or
    • SEQ ID NO: 424.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a process for producing a transgenic plant as defined above, in which said miRNA is miR164a, in particular in which said miR164a has a nucleotide sequence consisting of SEQ ID NO: 297.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a process for producing a transgenic plant as defined above, in which said miPEP is AtmiPEP164a1, in particular in which said AtmiPEP164a1 has an amino acid sequence consisting of SEQ ID NO: 24.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a process for producing a transgenic plant as defined above, in which said miRNA is miR319a, in particular in which said miR319a has a nucleotide sequence consisting of SEQ ID NO: 331.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a process for producing a transgenic plant as defined above, in which said miPEP is AtmiPEP319a1, in particular in which said AtmiPEP319a1 has an amino acid sequence consisting of SEQ ID NO: 76.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a process for producing a transgenic plant as defined above, in which said nucleic acid introduced in step a) comprises a nucleotide sequence selected from SEQ ID NO: 128 and SEQ ID NO: 180.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a process for producing a transgenic plant as defined above, in which said plant is a crucifer such as Arabidopsis thaliana, a leguminous plant such as Glycine max (soya), Medicago truncatula and Medicago sativa (alfalfa) or a plant of the Solanaceae family such as Nicotiana benthamiana (tobacco), Solanum tuberosum (potato), Solanum lycopersicum (tomato) or Solanum melongena (aubergine).

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a process for producing a transgenic plant as defined above, in which said transgenic plant is a crucifer.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a process for producing a transgenic plant as defined above, in which said transgenic plant is Arabidopsis thaliana.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a process for producing a transgenic plant as defined above, comprising:

  • a) a step of introducing a nucleic acid containing the nucleotide sequence SEQ ID NO: 128, encoding AtmiPEP164a1 consisting of the amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO: 24, into an Arabidopsis thaliana plant, or into at least one cell of said Arabidopsis thaliana plant, under conditions allowing the expression of AtmiPEP164a1,

said AtmiPEP164a1 also being naturally present in said Arabidopsis thaliana plant, said miPEP naturally present being a peptide the sequence of which is encoded by an open reading frame located at 5′ on the primary transcript of miR164a, said AtmiPEP164a1 being capable of modulating the accumulation of said miR164, where miR164a controls the expression of at least one gene involved in the development of the vegetative or reproductive parts of Arabidopsis thaliana, and

  • b) a step of culturing the plant, or at least one cell of said plant, obtained in step a) under conditions allowing a transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana plant to be obtained.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a process for producing a transgenic plant as defined above, comprising:

  • a) a step of introducing a nucleic acid containing the nucleotide sequence SEQ ID NO: 180, encoding AtmiPEP319a1 consisting of the amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO: 76, into an Arabidopsis thaliana plant, or into at least one cell of said Arabidopsis thaliana plant, under conditions allowing the expression of AtmiPEP319a1,

said AtmiPEP319a1 also being naturally present in said Arabidopsis thaliana plant, said miPEP naturally present being a peptide the sequence of which is encoded by an open reading frame located at 5′ on the primary transcript of the miR319a, said AtmiPEP319a1 being capable of modulating the accumulation of said miR319, which miR319a regulates the expression of at least one gene involved in the development of the vegetative or reproductive parts of Arabidopsis thaliana, and

  • b) a step of culturing the plant, or at least one cell of said plant, obtained in step a) under conditions allowing a transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana plant to be obtained.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a process of production as defined above, in which said miPEP is introduced into the plant by means of a nucleic acid encoding said miPEP, said nucleic acid being introduced into the plant.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a process for producing a transgenic plant as defined above, in which the size of the stem is increased in the plant into which said miPEP has been introduced relative to the size of the stem of an identical plant of the same age into which no miPEP has been introduced, or relative to the size of the stem of an identical plant of the same age into which said miPEP has not been introduced.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a process for producing a transgenic plant as defined above, in which the number of leaves is increased in the plant into which said miPEP has been introduced relative to the number of leaves of an identical plant of the same age into which no miPEP has been introduced, or relative to the number of leaves of an identical plant of the same age into which said miPEP has not been introduced.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a process for producing a transgenic plant as defined above, in which the size of the leaves is increased in the plant into which said miPEP has been introduced relative to the size of the leaves of an identical plant of the same age into which no miPEP has been introduced, or relative to the size of the leaves of an identical plant of the same age into which said miPEP has not been introduced.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a process for producing a transgenic plant as defined above, in which the number of roots is increased in the plant into which said miPEP has been introduced relative to the number of roots of an identical plant of the same age into which no miPEP has been introduced, or relative to the number of roots of an identical plant of the same age into which said miPEP has not been introduced.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a process for producing a transgenic plant as defined above, in which the length of the roots is increased in the plant into which said miPEP has been introduced relative to the length of the roots of an identical plant of the same age into which no miPEP has been introduced, or relative to the length of the roots of an identical plant of the same age into which said miPEP has not been introduced.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a process for producing a transgenic plant as defined above, in which the rate of nodulation is increased in the plant into which said miPEP has been introduced relative to the rate of nodulation of an identical plant of the same age into which no miPEP has been introduced, or relative to the rate of nodulation of an identical plant of the same age into which said miPEP has not been introduced.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a process for producing a transgenic plant as defined above, in which the number of nodules is increased in the plant into which said miPEP has been introduced relative to the number of nodules of an identical plant of the same age into which no miPEP has been introduced, or relative to the number of nodules of an identical plant of the same age into which said miPEP has not been introduced.

In an aspect, the invention also relates to a transgenic plant as obtained by the process of production as defined above.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a transgenic plant containing a vector encoding a miPEP, said miPEP being also naturally present in said plant,

said miPEP naturally present being a peptide of which the sequence is encoded by an open reading frame located in 5′ portion on the primary transcript of a miR, said miPEP being capable of modulating the accumulation of said miR in the plant, said miR regulating the expression of at least one gene,

the expression of said miPEP encoded by the vector introduced in the plant resulting in a modulation of the expression of said gene relative to an identical plant in which said nucleic acid has not been introduced.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a transgenic plant as defined above, in which said gene is involved in the development of the vegetative or reproductive parts of the plant, in particular the roots, stem, leaves or flowers, and the expression of said miPEP encoded by the nucleic acid introduced in the plant results in an improved growth of the transgenic plant relative to an identical plant in which said nucleic acid has not been introduced.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a transgenic plant as defined above, in which said miPEP is selected from the group consisting of:

    • SEQ ID NO: 1 to SEQ ID NO: 101,
    • SEQ ID NO: 375 to SEQ ID NO: 386, or
    • SEQ ID NO: 424.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a transgenic plant comprising a vector,

said vector containing a nucleic acid enabling the expression of a primary transcript of a miR,

said primary transcript of a miR containing an open reading frame encoding a miPEP,

said miPEP being capable of modulating the accumulation of said miR in said plant, said miR regulating the expression of at least one gene in said plant,

the expression of the miPEP encoded by the vector introduced in the plant resulting in a modulation of the expression of said gene relative to an identical plant in which said nucleic acid has not been introduced.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a transgenic plant as defined above in which said nucleic acid is of endogenous origin.

If said nucleic acid is of endogenous origin, at least one copy of said nucleic acid is already present naturally in the plant, independently of the vector introduced in the plant.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a transgenic plant as defined above in which said nucleic acid is of exogenous origin.

If said nucleic acid is of exogenous origin, no copy of said nucleic acid is already present naturally in the plant

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a transgenic plant as defined above in which said gene is involved in the development of the vegetative or reproductive parts of the plant, in particular the roots, stem, leaves or flowers, and the expression of said miPEP encoded by the nucleic acid introduced in the plant results in an improved growth of the transgenic plant relative to an identical plant in which said nucleic acid has not been introduced.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a transgenic plant as defined above in which said miPEP is selected from the group consisting of:

    • SEQ ID NO: 1 to SEQ ID NO: 101,
    • SEQ ID NO: 375 to SEQ ID NO: 386, or
    • SEQ ID NO: 424.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a composition comprising, in combination, a quantity of seeds of a plant and a quantity of a peptide the sequence of which comprises or consists of a sequence identical to that of a miPEP naturally present in said plant.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a composition as defined above in which said miPEP is selected from the group consisting of:

    • SEQ ID NO: 1 to SEQ ID NO: 101,
    • SEQ ID NO: 375 to SEQ ID NO: 386, or
    • SEQ ID NO: 424.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a composition comprising, in combination, a quantity of seeds of a plant, in particular A. thaliana, and a quantity of a peptide the sequence of which comprises or consists of a sequence identical to that of AtmiPEP164a1.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a composition comprising, in combination, a quantity of seeds of a plant, in particular A. thaliana, and a quantity of a peptide the sequence of which comprises or consists of a sequence identical to that of AtmiPEP319a1.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a composition comprising, in combination, a quantity of seeds of a plant, in particular M truncatula, and a quantity of a peptide the sequence of which comprises or consists of a sequence identical to that of MtmiPEP171b.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a composition as defined above, formulated so as to form a coated seed.

Coating may be carried out by the processes used conventionally in the agri-food industry and may be obtained using a material able to disaggregate in a solvent or in the ground, such as a binder or clay.

According to the invention, coating may be used for example for conferring particular properties on a composition of miPEP, or on a composition of seeds in combination with a miPEP.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a composition as defined above, formulated so as to form a coated seed comprising MtmiPEP171b.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a composition as defined above, formulated so as to form a coated seed comprising AtmiPEP164a1.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to a composition as defined, above formulated so as to form a coated seed comprising AtmiPEP319a1.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising at least:

    • a miPEP as defined above
    • a nucleic acid encoding said miPEP, or
    • a vector containing said nucleic acid.

and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.In another aspect, the invention relates to a composition comprising at least:

    • a miPEP as defined above
    • a nucleic acid encoding said miPEP, or
    • a vector containing said nucleic acid.

for use as a medicament, in particular for humans or for animals.

The use of the compositions of the invention is applicable in human medicine and in veterinary medicine.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a composition comprising at least:

    • a miPEP as defined above
    • a nucleic acid encoding said miPEP, or
    • a vector containing said nucleic acid,

for use in the prevention and/or treatment of a disease involving deregulation of the expression of a gene of the patient,

the expression of said gene being regulated by a microRNA the accumulation of which is modulated by said miPEP.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to the composition as defined above in which said disease is selected from cancer, diabetes, obesity, infectious diseases and neurodegenerative diseases.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to the composition as defined above in which said disease is selected from: cancer, diabetes, obesity, infectious diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular diseases and autoimmune diseases.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to the composition as defined above in which said disease is selected from: cancer, diabetes, obesity, infectious diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, or from cardiovascular diseases and autoimmune diseases.

In an embodiment, the invention relates to the composition as defined above in which said disease is selected from cardiovascular diseases and autoimmune diseases.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a composition comprising at least:

    • a miPEP as defined above,
    • a nucleic acid encoding said miPEP, or
    • a vector containing said nucleic acid,

for use in the prevention and/or treatment of an infection of an animal or of a human with a parasitic organism,

said parasitic organism having a gene the expression of which is regulated by a microRNA the accumulation of which is modulated by said miPEP.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a miPEP from 4 to 100 amino acids, or of 3 amino acids, encoded by a nucleotidic sequence contained in the preimary transcript of a microRNA, said miPEP being capable of modulating the accumulation of said microRNA in an eukaryotic cell, for its use a medicament.

In another aspect, the invention relates to an antibody specifically recognizing a miPEP.

In particular, the invention relates to an antibody specifically recognizing AtmiPEP165a.

In particular, the invention relates to an antibody specifically recognizing MtmiPEP171b.

In particular, the invention relates to an antibody specifically recognizing AtmiPEP164a1.

In particular, the invention relates to an antibody specifically recognizing AtmiPEP319a1.

Such an antibody may be obtained by a process known to a person skilled in the art, such as for example by injecting said miPEP into a non-human animal in order to trigger an immunization reaction and the production of antibodies by said animal.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a process of immunolocalization of a miPEP comprising a step of labelling a biological sample from a plant with an antibody specifically recognizing a miPEP.

In particular, the invention relates to a process of immunolocalization of AtmiPEP165a using an antibody specifically recognizing AtmiPEP165a.

In particular, the invention relates to a process of immunolocalization of MtmiPEP171b using an antibody specifically recognizing MtmiPEP171b.

In particular, the invention relates to a process of immunolocalization of AtmiPEP164a1 using an antibody specifically recognizing AtmiPEP164a1.

In particular, the invention relates to a process of immunolocalization of MtmiPEP319a1 using an antibody specifically recognizing AtmiPEP319a1.

In another aspect, the invention relates to an antibody specifically recognizing a miPEP according to the invention, for its use as a medicament.

In another aspect, the invention relates a pharmaceutical composition comprising an antibody specifically recognizing a miPEP according to the invention and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a protocol for producing a recombinant peptide, the sequence of which comprises or consists of a sequence identical to that of a miPEP as defined above, comprising a step of transforming an organism with an expression vector encoding said recombinant peptide.

In an embodiment, said organism is selected from the group comprising bacteria, yeasts, fungi (other than yeasts), animal cells, plants and animals.

In an embodiment, said organism is Escherichia coli.

In particular, the invention relates to a protocol for producing a recombinant peptide as defined above, comprising the following steps:

    • binding the nucleic acid encoding said recombinant peptide to a nucleic acid encoding a tag, such as GST,
    • introducing the expression vector containing said nucleic acid encoding said recombinant peptide into the bacterium E. coli,
    • culturing the bacterium E. coli containing the expression vector in LB medium preferably up to an OD between 0.2 and 0.4,
    • inducing production of the recombinant peptide with IPTG, preferably for 4 to 5 hours,
    • centrifuging and lysing the E. coli bacteria,
    • filtering the supernatant,
    • purifying said recombinant peptide on a glutathione sepharose affinity column,
    • if necessary, cleaving the GST with a protease.

All the sequences of the miPEPs, miORFs, miRNAs and primary transcripts of miRNAs are presented in Tables 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6.

Table 7 presents an analysis of the polymorphism of the DNA sequence of the different regions of pri-miR171b (a haplotype is defined when it differs by at least one amino acid from the other haplotypes).

TABLE 1 List of potential miPEPs (miPEPs) miPEP Target genes of Sequence of (pI/size MW) miRNA Organism the miRNA the miPEP SEQ ID AtmiPEP156a1 miR156a Arabidopsis SPL gene family, MFCSIQCVARHLFPLHVREIKKATRAI SEQ ID NO: 1 (10.57/3824) thaliana involved in KKGKTL AtmiPEP156a2 miR156a Arabidopsis  development of the MRRQTSVPFACKRDKESDKSHKER SEQ ID NO: 2 thaliana stem and flowering AtmiPEP156a3 miR156a Arabidopsis  MVMFFLDLDKNPRFDLLKGLKWNLF SEQ ID NO: 3 thaliana SSHISPSLPPSL AtmiPEP156c1 miR156c Arabidopsis  MKDNFPLLLRL SEQ ID NO: 4 (8.5/1359) thaliana AtmiPEP156c2 miR156c Arabidopsis  MSDD SEQ ID NO: 5 thaliana AtmiPEP156e1 miR156e Arabidopsis  MIYINKYGSISAVEDD SEQ ID NO: 6 (4.03/1818) thaliana AtmiPEP156f1 miR156f Arabidopsis  MSQR SEQ ID NO: 7 (9.5/520) thaliana AlmiPEP159a miR159a Arabidopsis  MYB gene family MTCPLLSLSFLLSKYI SEQ ID NO: 8 lyrata involved in AtmiPEP159a1 miR159a Arabidopsis  germination and MTWPLLSLSFLLSKYV SEQ ID NO: 9 (8.34/1898) thaliana flowering CrmiPEP159a miR159a Capsella  MTCTLSALSLSLNMFRVN SEQ ID NO: 10 rubella AtmiPEP159b1 miR159b Arabidopsis  MFYLS SEQ ID NO: 11 (5.27/659) thaliana AtmiPEP159b2 miR159b Arabidopsis  MVNTSSFFISSFILPLVLSESNCLLFRTI SEQ ID NO: 12 thaliana YKFSMVLY AtmiPEP160a1 miR160a Arabidopsis  ARF gene family, MFCLLIPIFSFVFSPNRHLRLQEQ SEQ ID NO: 13 (8.02/2936) thaliana involved in AtmiPEP160b1 miR160b Arabidopsis  germination MFSPQ SEQ ID NO: 14 (5.28/608) thaliana development and AtmiPEP160b2 miR160b Arabidopsis  flowering MKYIHILILFKSRSTYKLSTNHI SEQ ID NO: 15 thaliana AtmiPEP161 miR161 Arabidopsis  PPR gene family MKIPLFLPKL SEQ ID NO: 16 (10/1199) thaliana DCL1 gene,  AtmiPEP162a1 miR162a Arabidopsis  involved MVSGQEDSWLKLSSLCFLFLSLLDSLI SEQ ID NO: 17 (4.03/3045) thaliana in development AtmiPEP162b1 miR162b Arabidopsis  MFLLIFLRLIMICVCSSTDFLRSVNYFC SEQ ID NO: 18 (5.71/4114) thaliana LFIYDL AtmiPEP163-1 miR163 Arabidopsis  SAMT gene family, MSTTQEHRS SEQ ID NO: 19 (6.5/1076) thaliana involved in the AtmiPEP163-2 miR163 Arabidopsis  production of MILKCWSSRFLRVSPYQNAHSLSLG SEQ ID NO: 20 thaliana secondary metabolites AlmiPEP164a1 miR164a Arabidopsis  NAC gene family, MPLAVIRQGIVWP SEQ ID NO: 21 lyrata involved in root,  AlmiPEP164a2 miR164a Arabidopsis  foliar and floral MPSWHDMVLLPYVKHTHANTRHIT SEQ ID NO: 22 lyrata devlopment AlmiPEP164a3 miR164a Arabidopsis  MTWFFCLT SEQ ID NO: 23 lyrata AtmiPEP164a1 miR164a Arabidopsis  MPSWHGMVLLPYVKHTHASTHTHTH SEQ ID NO: 24 (7.05/4256) thaliana NIYGCACELVFH AtmiPEP164a2 miR164a Arabidopsis  MAWYGSFALRKTHSRQHTHTHT SEQ ID NO: 25 thaliana AtmiPEP164a3 miR164a Arabidopsis  MVWFFCLT SEQ ID NO: 26 thaliana BrmiPEP164a1 miR164a Brassica rapa MMIILWK SEQ ID NO: 27 BrmiPEP164a2 miR164a Brassica rapa MLWAKLVSFSTLHSLVFLLSPSFA SEQ ID NO: 28 BrmiPEP164a3 miR164a Brassica rapa MPSWHGIVILPFVKHTHANIHYSYSC SEQ ID NO: 29 VCI CpmiPEP164a1 miR164a Carica papaya MIACHPYLPFPLFLSLTFYSIFFSPSPPS SEQ ID NO: 30 PSLPL CpmiPEP164a2 miR164a Carica papaya MPSLLAFSPFPFSNILLNLLLPLPPFPLS SEQ ID NO: 31 CrmiPEP164a1 miR164a Capsella rubella MELKGLRTWQLLDKV SEQ ID NO: 32 CrmiPEP164a2 miR164a Capsella rubella MPSWHGMACFYCLT SEQ ID NO: 33 CrmiPEP164a3 miR164a Capsella rubella MAWHGMFLLPYVKHTHANTYSLYM SEQ ID NO: 34 GrmiPEP164a1 miR164a Gossypium  MMRSRILKFQYRFGMGIGGRKQLKN SEQ ID NO: 35 raimondii QLCQIQGRIS GrmiPEP164a2 miR164a Gossypium  MSNSRSYQLK SEQ ID NO: 36 raimondii GrmiPEP164a3 miR164a Gossypium  MNEDLEISTRKRTPQLC SEQ ID NO: 37 raimondii MtmiPEP164a1 miR164a Medicago  MPKFDIFFYIFV SEQ ID NO: 38 truncatula MtmiPEP164a2 miR164a Medicago  MSYISLSPKLLPINTKPFPWLVQFNFY SEQ ID NO: 39 truncatula FSSNTKCNKLHFLGEKLLVGEAGHVQ ILFLIHSLIMHINIFCTCSPSPTRLPHPSL OsmiPEP164a1 miR164a Oryza sativa MQTHSNTPQSTYSLSLSLSE SEQ ID NO: 40 OsmiPEP164a2 miR164a Oryza sativa MCVCDINMHSMLMLL SEQ ID NO: 41 AlmiPEP165a miR165a Arabidopsis  HD-ZIPIII gene MRIKLFQLRGMLSGSRILYIYTCVC SEQ ID NO: 42 lyrata family, involved AtmiPEP165a miR165a Arabidopsis  in vascular, root, MRVKLFQLRGMLSGSRIL SEQ ID NO: 43 (12.3/2105) thaliana foliar and floral BcmiPEP165a miR165a Brassica  development, and MRMKLFQLRGMLSGSRILYIHKYVY SEQ ID NO: 44 carinata nodulation MLIQVFDHICI BjmiPEP165a miR165a Brassica  MRMKLFQLRGMLSGSRILYIHKYVYI SEQ ID NO: 45 juncea C BnmiPEP165a miR165a Brassica napus MRMKLFQLRGMLSGSRILYIHKYVY SEQ ID NO: 46 MIIQVFDHICI BomiPEP165a miR165a Brassica  MRMKLFQLRGMLSGSRILYIHKYVY SEQ ID NO: 47 oleracea MLIQVFDHICI BrmiPEP165a miR165a Brassica rapa MRMKLFQLRGMLSGSRILYIHKYVYIC SEQ ID NO: 48 AtmiPEP166a miR166a Arabidopsis  MLDLFRSNNRIEPSDFRFD SEQ ID NO: 49 (4.68/2372) thaliana AtmiPEP166b miR166b Arabidopsis  MRDR SEQ ID NO: 50 (9.35/576) thaliana AtmiPEP167a miR167a Arabidopsis  ARF gene family, MNRKISLSLS SEQ ID NO: 51 (11/1148) thaliana involved in root  AtmiPEP167b1 miR167b Arabidopsis  and floral MMGCFVGF SEQ ID NO: 52 (5.27/891) thaliana development AtmiPEP167b2 miR167b Arabidopsis  MQEETYEG SEQ ID NO: 53 thaliana AtmiPEP169c1 miR169c Arabidopsis  gene family of MPHTNLKDLFIFSPNVFFSFAIYLHNS SEQ ID NO: 54 (9.3/7110) thaliana CCAAT-bing factor, WNKNYIHKRENFHNTSFALIFFFSSIM involved in SINYG AtmiPEP169c2 miR169c Arabidopsis  nodulation,  MFFFRLLFISTILGTKTTFTNERIFTTPL SEQ ID NO: 55 thaliana drought  LLSFFFFRPL AtmiPEP1691 miR1691 Arabidopsis  resistance,  MRHKES SEQ ID NO: 56 (8.52/786) thaliana resistance to  nitrogen  deficiency AtmiPEP171a1 miR171a Arabidopsis  GRAS gene family, MNLLKKERQRRRQRSIGSHCIASLVL SEQ ID NO: 57 (11.05/4057) thaliana involved in floral KDGYMKKI AtmiPEP171b miR171b Arabidopsis  foliar, and root MVLSGKLTF SEQ ID NO: 58 (8.5/995) thaliana development MtmiPEP171b1 miR171b Medicago  my corrhization MLLHRLSKFCKIERDIVYIS SEQ ID NO: 59 truncatula nodulation MtmiPEP171b2 miR171b Medicago  development, MKIEE SEQ ID NO: 60 truncatula ZmmiPEP171b miR171b Zea mays MHLPSTPSRPPPQHTSLSFLGKEMTKG SEQ ID NO: 61 TTTACFG AtmiPEP171c1 miR171c Arabidopsis  MLSLSHFHIC SEQ ID NO: 62 (6.68/1187) thaliana MtmiPEP171e miR171e Medicago  MMVFGKPKKAMLVRFNPKTDLHV SEQ ID NO: 63 truncatula MtmiPEP171h miR171h Medicago  MASAAKVYMA SEQ ID NO: 64 truncatula AtmiPEP172a1 miR172a Arabidopsis  AP2 gene family, MASKIW SEQ ID NO: 65 (8.5/734) thaliana involved in floral AtmiPEP172a3 miR172a Arabidopsis  devolpment MVRFQLSIRD SEQ ID NO: 66 thaliana AtmiPEP172b1 miR172b Arabidopsis  MCTYYYLINKYF SEQ ID NO: 67 (7.9/1621) thaliana AtmiPEP172c1 miR172c Arabidopsis  MFPAKWCRLES SEQ ID NO: 68 (7.98/1367) thaliana AtmiPEP172e1 miR172e Arabidopsis  MGSLSLFKSQLEILMLLLSLSK SEQ ID NO: 69 (8.35/2452) thaliana AtmiPEP172e2 miR172e Arabidopsis  MSVYIHVPISLNCFSPKSSC SEQ ID NO: 70 thaliana AtmiPEP172e3 miR172e Arabidopsis  MGVPNFRPRNR SEQ ID NO: 71 thaliana AcmiPEP319a1 miR319a Arabidopsis  TCP gene family MRSRVSFFFFKIMLFRLLGYRSM SEQ ID NO: 72 cebennensis involved in floral AcmiPEP319a2 miR319a Arabidopsis  and foliar MHTYIHTISNISSIFFCSKRSFSPFTYIRI SEQ ID NO: 73 cebennensis devlopment IVVIDPFRIALTFR AhmiPEP319a miR319a Arabidopsis  MRSRVSLFLSFSSNFAAYSPRS SEQ ID NO: 74 halleri AlmiPEP319a miR319a Arabidopsis  MHTYIPSSSFPISNISSVFFCYKRSFSPY SEQ ID NO: 75 lyrata TYIRIIVVIDPFRIALTFR AtmiPEP319a1 miR319a Arabidopsis  MNIHTYHHLLFPSLVFHQSSDVPNALS SEQ ID NO: 76 (6.56/5917)  thaliana LHIHTYEYIIVVIDPFRITLAFR AtmiPEP319a2 miR319a Arabidopsis  MFQTLYLFIYIHTNILLLS SEQ ID NO: 77 thaliana BrmiPEP319a miR319a Brassica rapa MFKLYFSAILSTQYMHTYHHRIALIFL SEQ ID NO: 78 SILYPSTNYLMSPILNPT CpmiPEP319a miR319a Carica papaya MKIKLGFSLIKIIILLDKNS SEQ ID NO: 79 CrmiPEP319a miR319a Capsella rubella MHPHTYIHIP SSSFLISSFCL SEQ ID NO: 80 EgmiPEP319a miR319a Eucalyptus  MKHIQRWRYGETSGRQGDWKRLEIK SEQ ID NO: 81 grandis VHSNPSLKVKKNTNNFSSSL GrmiPEP319a miR319a Gossypium  MIHFNLSQWRAIMANFHLTYSFLFGC SEQ ID NO: 82 raimondii VL MtmiPEP319a miR319a Medicago  MHVYLELFMVIKGLGFLLLVK SEQ ID NO: 83 truncatula OsmiPEP319a miR319a Oryza sativa MEMIQRPCLILKFFFKLSTLYIP SEQ ID NO: 84 PpmiPEP319a miR319a Physcomitrella MFHRRRSSVLLPPFGQTQPNPRCLPDL SEQ ID NO: 85 patens RFPSCFTPCTA ThmiPEP319a1 miR319a Thellungiella MTICKVSKACFYAGKIENSRLIKKIGIP SEQ ID NO: 86 halophila KREGAPFSPIRENQ ThmiPEP319a2 miR319a Thellungiella MEIQIKKKNLYIMNTQKLPNLYIYIYK SEQ ID NO: 87 halophila YVFIKLMVVE AtmiPEP319b1 miR319b Arabidopsis MVPQINLWSSRVILKIRIDSSTHREED SEQ ID NO: 88 (8.04/5120)  thaliana HCIQNHKHGLSFIFSF AtmiPEP394a1 miR394a Arabidopsis F-box gene family, MSLQFYERVSFKNTVK SEQ ID NO: 89 (9.7/1977) thaliana involved in foliar development and drought resistance AtmiPEP395c1 miR395c Arabidopsis Family of the APS  MTEQEEESQMST SEQ ID NO: 90 (3.58/1429) thaliana and AST genes,  AtmiPEP395e1 miR395e Arabidopsis involved in  MYLQYIDNVISIYSNNRRVGRMFSRV SEQ ID NO: 91 (9.98/4700) thaliana germination and  PLSTSLEIQFFIK sulphur metabolism AtmiPEP397b1 miR397b Arabidopsis Family of the  MSKEIFFSPGFE SEQ ID NO: 92 (4.53/1418) thaliana genes of laccases,  involved in copper metabolism, their  overexpression improves growth AtmiPEP398c1 miR398c Arabidopsis CSD gene family, MRTHEQSTAITTLRHCYSSRFMCSQV SEQ ID NO: 93 thaliana involved in copper TPAELFLYRPCFINAVAR metabolism, its overexpression improves growth AtmiPEP399b miR399b Arabidopsis PHO2 gene family, MKRNM SEQ ID NO: 94 (11/678) thaliana involved in AtmiPEP399d1 miR399d Arabidopsis phosphorus MQCEI SEQ ID NO: 95 (4/622) thaliana metabolism AtmiPEP403 miR403 Arabidopsis AGO gene family MFCA SEQ ID NO: 96 (5.27470) thaliana AtmiPEP447a1 miR447a Arabidopsis Family of the  MVMAHH SEQ ID NO: 97 (6.69/724) thaliana genes of  AtmiPEP447a2 miR447a Arabidopsis phosphoglycerate MMKPRWNCSLYGITEWTNNQNQKSK SEQ ID NO: 98 thaliana kinase RKGRRKTQIWRIGDRLDTVECITLML SAY AtmiPEP447b1 miR447b Arabidopsis MLLIIVELVL SEQ ID NO: 99 (4/1155) thaliana AtmiPEP447b2 miR447b Arabidopsis  MLCFNFRCVRRFAE SEQ ID NO: 100  thaliana AtmiPEP447c miR447c Arabidopsis MYTYQLDNSFSWFLCTRFCLYRYFLF SEQ ID NO: 101 thaliana NFRCFRRFSE DmmiPEP1a miR1 Drosophila Muscular MWREVCAQKSQTKRRNFITGNQRRN SEQ ID NO: 102 melanogaster differentiation KTKANRKAETKQQKVYEFFVQARER CKTRKKHEKKTLKKTKKIQNRYRAV SENEWGKGFPSHI DmmiPEP1b miR1 Drosophila Muscular MRTKKSNKKAQFYYGQPTTKQNKSQ SEQ ID NO: 103 melanogaster differentiation PKSRNKAAKSL DmmiPEP8 miR8 Drosophila Growth MEPGFVFVLFPTHLSTQHTQREKSILV SEQ ID NO: 104 melanogaster MGLNLQSAKQSDKQNSKERKKNTQI NSQRIPYRQGGQCSKVLSP HsmiPEP155 miR155 Homo sapiens inflammation MEMALMVAQTRKGKSVV SEQ ID NO: 355 AtmiPEP157c miR157c Arabidopsis SPL gene family, MMLHITHRFESDVGC SEQ ID NO: 375 (5.95/1776) thaliana involved in AtmiPEP157d miR157d Arabidopsis development of the MLYV SEQ ID NO: 376 (5.27/524) thaliana stem and flowering AtmiPEP160c miR160c Arabidopsis ARF gene family, MFMRRGLVYNNIYI SEQ ID NO: 377 (9.98/1790) thaliana involved in germination, development and flowering AtmiPEP164b miR164b Arabidopsis NAC gene family, MMKVCDEQDGEAGHVHY SEQ ID NO: 378 (4.72/1949) thaliana involved in root,  foliar and floral development AtmiPEP166c miR166c Arabidopsis HD-ZIPIII gene MKKRITRINLEEQIKKTLDDSRTRLHS SEQ ID NO: 379 (10.42/3407) thaliana family, involved  P in vascular, root,  foliar  and floral development and nodulation AtmiPEP166d miR166d Arabidopsis MKKIGSIDSF SEQ ID NO: 380 (8.35/1125) thaliana AtmiPEP169a miR169a Arabidopsis  Gene family of MTCRFK SEQ ID NO: 381 (9.5/784) thaliana CCAAT-bing factor, AtmiPEP169h1 miR169h Arabidopsis  MVT (5.28/349) thaliana involved in AtmiPEP169h2 miR169h Arabidopsis  nodulation,  MKNENLCGSQG SEQ ID NO: 382 thaliana drought  AtmiPEP169n miR169n Arabidopsis  resistance,  MKCMMKKRGLTWRKASCLVAKDDL SEQ ID NO: 383 (8.96/5315) thaliana resistance to  PDLFRLHDSISNSCILDYYTF nitrogen  deficiency AtmiPEP170 miR170 Arabidopsis  GRAS gene family, MFPRESL SEQ ID NO: 384 (5.75/879) thaliana involved in floral, foliar, and root development, mycorrhization, nodulation AtmiPEP396a miR396a Arabidopsis  Family of the GRF MTLSVFFHSFLELQNFFRFFFFSFDISY SEQ ID NO: 385 (5.3/3636) thaliana genes involved in  A root development  and cellular  proliferation, mycorrhization AtmiPEP399c miR399c Arabidopsis  PHO2 gene family, MSLAKGELPCHCFRLNTVYNRFC SEQ ID NO: 386 (8.66/2703) thaliana involved in phosphorus metabolism MtmiPEP169d miR169d Medicago  Family NF-YA MVKESFMERLKVR SEQ ID NO: 424 tuncatula genes (or HAP2 genes)

TABLE 2 List of the miORFs miPEP Organism Sequence of the miORF SEQ ID AtmiPEP156a1 Arabidopsis thaliana ATGTTCTGTTCAATTCAATGCGTCGCCAGACATCTGTTCCCTTTGC SEQ ID NO: 105 ATGTAAGAGAGATAAAGAAAGCGACAAGAGCCATAAAGAAAGG TAA AtmiPEP156a2 Arabidopsis thaliana ATGCGTCGCCAGACATCTGTTCCCTTTGCATGTAAGAGAGATAAA SEQ ID NO: 106 GAAAGCGACAAGAGCCATAAAGAAAGGTAA AtmiPEP156a3 Arabidopsis thaliana ATGGTTATGTTTTTTCTCGATTTAGACAAAAACCCTAGATTTGATC SEQ ID NO: 107 TTCTAAAGGGTCTCAAATGGAATCTCTTCTCTTCTCATATCTCTCC CTCTCTCCCTCCCTCTCTTTGA AtmiPEP156c1 Arabidopsis thaliana ATGAAGGACAACTTTCCTCTTCTCCTTCGGTTATAA SEQ ID NO: 108 AtmiPEP156c2 Arabidopsis thaliana ATGAGTGATGACTGA SEQ ID NO: 109 AtmiPEP156e1 Arabidopsis thaliana ATGATATATATAAATAAATATGGGTCGATATCGGCTGTGGAGGAC SEQ ID NO: 110 GACTAG AtmiPEP156f1 Arabidopsis thaliana ATGAGCCAAAGATAA SEQ ID NO: 111 AlmiPEP159a Arabidopsis lyrata ATGACGTGTCCTCTTCTCTCTCTCTCTTTCCTTCTCTCTAAGTATAT SEQ ID NO: 112 TTAG AtmiPEP159a1 Arabidopsis thaliana ATGACGTGGCCTCTTCTCTCTCTCTCTTTCCTTCTCTCTAAGTATGT SEQ ID NO: 113 TTAG CrmiPEP159a Capsella rubella ATGACGTGTACTCTCTCTGCTCTATCTCTCTCTCTAAATATGTTTA SEQ ID NO: 114 GGGTTAA AtmiPEP159b1 Arabidopsis thaliana ATGTTTTATCTTTCATAA SEQ ID NO: 115 AtmiPEP159b2 Arabidopsis thaliana ATGGTTAATACTAGTAGCTTTTTCATTTCAAGTTTTATCCTTCCAT SEQ ID NO: 116 TGGTTCTTTCTGAGTCAAATTGTCTCCTGTTTCGAACCATATATAA GTTTTCAATGGTTTTGTATTAA AtmiPEP160a1 Arabidopsis thaliana ATGTTTTGTTTGTTGATTCCCATCTTCTCTTTTGTCTTTTCACCAAA SEQ ID NO: 117 TCGTCATTTAAGGCTTCAAGAACAGTAA AtmiPEP160b1 Arabidopsis thaliana ATGTTTTCCCCTCAATGA SEQ ID NO: 118 AtmiPEP160b2 Arabidopsis thaliana ATGAAATACATACACATTTTGATTTTATTTAAATCAAGATCGACG SEQ ID NO: 119 TATAAGCTATCCACCAATCATATTTAA AtmiPEP161 Arabidopsis thaliana ATGAAAATTCCATTGTTTCTGCCGAAGCTTTGA SEQ ID NO: 120 AtmiPEP162a1 Arabidopsis thaliana ATGGTATCTGGTCAAGAAGATTCCTGGTTAAAACTTTCATCTCTCT SEQ ID NO: 121 GTTTCCTTTTTCTTTCTTTGTTGGATTCATTAATTTGA AtmiPEP162b1 Arabidopsis thaliana ATGTTTCTTTTAATCTTTTTGAGATTAATAATGATTTGTGTTTGTTC SEQ ID NO: 122 ATCAACCGATTTTCTCAGATCTGTCAATTATTTTTGTTTATTTATTT ATGATTTATGA AtmiPEP163-1 Arabidopsis thaliana ATGTCCACTACTCAAGAGCATAGGTCTTGA SEQ ID NO: 123 AtmiPEP163-2 Arabidopsis thaliana ATGATACTAAAGTGCTGGAGTTCCCGGTTCCTGAGAGTGAGTCCA SEQ ID NO: 124 TATCAAAATGCGCATTCGTTATCACTTGGTTGA AlmiPEP164a1 Arabidopsis lyrata ATGCCCTTAGCAGTTATTAGACAAGGGATTGTTTGGCCCTAG SEQ ID NO: 125 AlmiPEP164a2 Arabidopsis lyrata ATGCCATCATGGCATGACATGGTTCTTTTGCCTTACGTAAAACAC SEQ ID NO: 126 ACTCACGCCAACACACGCCACATAACATAA AlmiPEP164a3 Arabidopsis lyrata ATGACATGGTTCTTTTGCCTTACGTAA SEQ ID NO: 127 AtmiPEP164a1 Arabidopsis thaliana ATGCCATCATGGCATGGTATGGTTCTTTTGCCTTACGTAAAACAC SEQ ID NO: 128 ACTCACGCCAGCACACACACACACACACATAACATATACGGATG TGCGTGTGAGCTAGTCTTCCATTAA AtmiPEP164a2 Arabidopsis thaliana ATGGCATGGTATGGTTCTTTTGCCTTACGTAAAACACACTCACGC SEQ ID NO: 129 CAGCACACACACACACACACATAA AtmiPEP164a3 Arabidopsis thaliana ATGGTATGGTTCTTTTGCCTTACGTAA SEQ ID NO: 130 BrmiPEP164a1 Brassica rapa ATGATGATAATTTTGTGGAAATAA SEQ ID NO: 131 BrmiPEP164a2 Brassica rapa ATGCTTTGGGCCAAGCTAGTTTCTTTTAGCACTCTTCACTCACTAG SEQ ID NO: 132 TTTTTCTTCTCAGCCCTTCTTTTGCGTGA BrmiPEP164a3 Brassica rapa ATGCCATCATGGCATGGCATTGTCATTTTGCCTTTCGTAAAACAC SEQ ID NO: 133 ACTCACGCCAACATACATTATTCATATTCATGTGTATGTATATGA ATGCCATCATGGCATATGCCATCATGGCAT CpmiPEP164a1 Carica papaya ATGATTGCATGCCATCCCTACTTGCCTTTTCCCCTTTTCCTTTCTCT SEQ ID NO: 134 AACATTTTACTCAATCTTCTTCTCCCCCTCCCCCCCTTCCCCCTCTC TGCCATTATAA CpmiPEP164a2 Carica papaya ATGCCATCCCTACTTGCCTTTTCCCCTTTTCCTTTCTCTAACATTTT SEQ ID NO: 135 ACTCAATCTTCTTCTCCCCCTCCCCCCCTTCCCCCTCTCTGCCATTA TAACCATAATTAAACCTCTCTCCCTCTCTCTCCCTCTCTCTCTCTCT CTCTCTGGGTTCTCAGTATAA CrmiPEP164a1 Capsella rubella ATGGAATTAAAAGGTTTGAGAACTTGGCAGTTATTATTAGACAAGGT SEQ ID NO: 136 ATAG CrmiPEP164a2 Capsella rubella ATGCCATCATGGCATGGCATGGCATGTTTCTATTGCCTTACGTAA SEQ ID NO: 137 CrmiPEP164a3 Capsella rubella ATGGCATGGCATGTTTCTATTGCCTTACGTAAAACACACTCACGC SEQ ID NO: 138 CAACACATACTCACTATACATGTAAATAAGTATGTGCGCGTGTGA GrmiPEP164a1 Gossypium raimondii ATGATGAGATCAAGAATTTTAAAGTTTCAATATAGATTTGGCATG SEQ ID NO: 139 GGTATTGGCGGCAGAAAGCAATTAAAAAACCAGTTATGTCAAAT TCAAGGTCGTATCAGTTAA GrmiPEP164a2 Gossypium raimondii ATGTCAAATTCAAGGTCGTATCAGTTAAAATGA SEQ ID NO: 140 GrmiPEP164a3 Gossypium raimondii ATGAATGAAGATTTAGAAATTTCAACAAGGAAGAGGACCCCACA SEQ ID NO: 141 GCTTTGTTAA MtmiPEP164a1 Medicago truncatula ATGCCCAAATTTGATATTTTTTTTTATATATTTGTATAG SEQ ID NO: 142 MtmiPEP164a2 Medicago truncatula ATGTCATATATCTCTCTCTCTCCTAAGTTGCTACCTATAAATACTA SEQ ID NO: 143 AGCCTTTCCCTTGGTTGGTTCAATTCAACTTCTACTTCTCATCAAA CACAAAGTGCAATAAGCTTCATTTCCTGGGTGAGAAGCTCCTTGT TGGAGAAGCAGGGCACGTGCAAATCCTCTTTCTGATTCATTCTCT CATAATGCATATCAATATCTTTTGCACGTGCTCCCCTTCTCCAACT AGG OsmiPEP164a1 Oryza sativa ATGCAAACCCACTCCAACACTCCACAATCCACATACTCTCTCTCT SEQ ID NO: 144 CTCTCTCTCTCTGAGTAG OsmiPEP164a2 Oryza sativa ATGTGTGTGTGTGATATCAATATGCATTCGATGTTGATGCTACTGT SEQ ID NO: 145 AG AlmiPEP165a Arabidopsis lyrata ATGAGAATTAAGCTATTTCAGTTGAGGGGAATGTTGTCTGGATCG SEQ ID NO: 146 AGGATATTATACATATATACATGTGTATGTTGA AtmiPEP165a Arabidopsis thaliana ATGAGGGTTAAGCTATTTCAGTTGAGGGGAATGTTGTCTGGATCG SEQ ID NO: 147 AGGATATTATAG BcmiPEP165a Brassica carinata ATGAGAATGAAGCTATTTCAGTTGAGGGGAATGTTGTCTGGATCG SEQ ID NO: 148 AGGATATTATATATACACAAATACGTATATATGTTAATACAAGTG TTTGATCATATATGTATATAG BjmiPEP165a Brassica juncea ATGAGAATGAAGCTATTTCAGTTGAGGGGAATGTTGTCTGGATCG SEQ ID NO: 149 AGGATATTATATATACACAAATATGTATATATATGTTAA BnmiPEP165a Brassica napus ATGAGAATGAAGCTATTTCAGTTGAGGGGAATGTTGTCTGGATCG SEQ ID NO: 150 AGGATATTATATATACACAAATACGTATATATGATAATACAAGTG TTTGATCATATATGTATATAG BomiPEP165a Brassica oleracea ATGAGAATGAAGCTATTTCAGTTGAGGGGAATGTTGTCTGGATCG SEQ ID NO: 151 AGGATATTATATATACACAAGTACGTATATATGTTAATACAAGTG TTTGATCATATATGTATATAG BrmiPEP165a Brassica rapa ATGAGAATGAAGCTATTTCAGTTGAGGGGAATGTTGTCTGGATCG SEQ ID NO: 152 AGGATATTATATATACACAAATATGTATATATATGTTAA AtmiPEP166a Arabidopsis thaliana ATGTTGGATCTCTTTCGATCTAACAATCGAATTGAACCTTCAGATT SEQ ID NO: 153 TCAGATTTGATTAG AtmiPEP166b Arabidopsis thaliana ATGAGAGATAGATAA SEQ ID NO: 154 AtmiPEP167a Arabidopsis thaliana ATGAACAGAAAAATCTCTCTTTCTCTTTCTTGA SEQ ID NO: 155 AtmiPEP167b1 Arabidopsis thaliana ATGATGGGTTGTTTTGTGGGATTTTAA SEQ ID NO: 156 AtmiPEP167b2 Arabidopsis thaliana ATGCAGGAGGAAACATATGAGGGGTGA SEQ ID NO: 157 AtmiPEP169c1 Arabidopsis thaliana ATGCCACATACAAACTTGAAAGATCTCTTCATCTTTTCTCCAAATG SEQ ID NO: 158 TTTTTTTTTCGTTTGCTATTTATCTCCACAATTCTTGGAACAAAAA CTACATTCACAAACGAGAGAATTTTCACAACACCTCTTTTGCTCTC ATTTTTTTTTTTTCGTCCATTATGAGTATTAATTATGGTTAG AtmiPEP169c2 Arabidopsis thaliana ATGTTTTTTTTTCGTTTGCTATTTATCTCCACAATTCTTGGAACAA SEQ ID NO: 159 AAACTACATTCACAAACGAGAGAATTTTCACAACACCTCTTTTGC TCTCATTTTTTTTTTTTCGTCCATTATGA AtmiPEP16911 Arabidopsis thaliana ATGAGACATAAAGAGAGTTAA SEQ ID NO: 160 AtmiPEP171a1 Arabidopsis thaliana ATGAACCTCCTCAAGAAGGAAAGACAGAGGAGGAGACAAAGAA SEQ ID NO: 161 GTATAGGTTCACATTGCATAGCCAGTTTAGTTTTGAAGGATGGAT ATATGAAAAAAATATGA AtmiPEP171b Arabidopsis thaliana ATGGTTCTCTCCGGTAAATTAACATTTTAG SEQ ID NO: 162 MtmiPEP171b1 Medicago truncatula ATGCTTCTTCATAGGCTCTCCAAATTTTGCAAAATTGAAAGAGAC SEQ ID NO: 163 ATAGTATATATATCTTAG MtmiPEP171b2 Medicago truncatula ATGAAGATTGAAGAGTAA SEQ ID NO: 164 ZmmiPEP171b Zea mays ATGCATCTGCCTTCAACTCCCTCTCGCCCCCCACCCCAACACACAT SEQ ID NO: 165 CTCTCTCTTTTCTAGGGAAGGAAATGACGAAGGGGACGACGACG GCATGCTTCGGCTAG AtmiPEP171c1 Arabidopsis thaliana ATGTTGTCTCTTTCTCATTTTCATATCTGCTAA SEQ ID NO: 166 MtmiPEP171e Medicago truncatula ATGATGGTGTTTGGGAAGCCGAAAAAAGCGATGTTGGTGAGGTT SEQ ID NO: 167 CAATCCGAAGACGGATTTACATGTATAG MtmiPEP171h Medicago truncatula ATGGCTTCAGCTGCAAAAGTATACATGGCGTGA SEQ ID NO: 168 AtmiPEP172a1 Arabidopsis thaliana ATGGCTTCCAAGATCTGGTAA SEQ ID NO: 169 AtmiPEP172a3 Arabidopsis thaliana ATGGTTAGGTTCCAACTAAGTATACGAGATTAA SEQ ID NO: 170 AtmiPEP172b1 Arabidopsis thaliana ATGTGTACGTACTATTATCTCATAAATAAATATTTTTAA SEQ ID NO: 171 AtmiPEP172c1 Arabidopsis thaliana ATGTTTCCAGCAAAATGGTGCCGTCTTGAGTCTTGA SEQ ID NO: 172 AtmiPEP172e1 Arabidopsis thaliana ATGGGATCTCTCTCTTTATTTAAAAGTCAATTAGAGATCTTGATGC SEQ ID NO: 173 TACTTCTGTCCCTTTCCAAGTGA AtmiPEP172e2 Arabidopsis thaliana ATGAGTGTATATATTCATGTACCTATCTCTCTCAATTGCTTCTCAC SEQ ID NO: 174 CAAAATCATCTTGCTGA AtmiPEP172e3 Arabidopsis thaliana ATGGGAGTTCCCAACTTTAGACCTCGAAACCGATAA SEQ ID NO: 175 AcmiPEP319a1 Arabidopsis cebennensis TAGAGATCTAGGGTTTCTTTCTTTTTCTTCAAAATCATGCTTTTTC SEQ ID NO: 176 GCTTGCTAGGTTATAGATCCATGTAA AcmiPEP319a2 Arabidopsis cebennensis ATGCATACATACATACATACCATCTCTAATATTTCATCAATCTTCT SEQ ID NO: 177 TTTGTTCCAAACGCCTTTCTCTCCATTTACATACATACGAATCATT GTTGTCATAGATCCGTTTAGAATTGCTTTAACTTTTAGATGA AhmiPEP319a Arabidopsis halleri ATGAGATCTAGGGTTTCTTTGTTTCTTTCGTTTTCTTCAAATTTTGC SEQ ID NO: 178 TGCATATTCTCCAAGATCATGA AlmiPEP319a Arabidopsis lyrata ATGCATACATACATACCATCATCATCTTTTCCCATCTCTAATATTT SEQ ID NO: 179 CATCAGTCTTCTTTTGTTACAAACGCTCTTTCTCGCCATATACATA CATAAGAATCATTGTTGTCATAGATCCGTTTAGAATTGCTTTAACT TTTAGATGA AtmiPEP319a1 Arabidopsis thaliana ATGAATATACATACATACCATCATCTTCTTTTCCCATCTCTAGTTT SEQ ID NO: 180 TTCATCAATCTTCTGATGTTCCAAACGCTCTATCTCTTCATATACA TACATACGAATATATTATTGTTGTCATAGATCCATTTAGAATCACT TTAGCTTTTAGATGA AtmiPEP319a2 Arabidopsis thaliana ATGTTCCAAACGCTCTATCTCTTCATATACATACATACGAATATAT SEQ ID NO: 181 TATTGTTGTCATAG BrmiPEP319a Brassica rapa ATGTTTAAGCTCTACTTCTCAGCAATTCTCTCCACCCAATACATGC SEQ ID NO: 182 ATACATACCATCATCGTATCGCTCTAATTTTTCTATCAATCTTGTA TCCTTCCACAAATTATCTTATGTCTCCCATTTTAAATCCTACATAG CpmiPEP319a Carica papaya ATGAAGATTAAATTAGGTTTTAGTCTTATTAAGATTATTATATTAC SEQ ID NO: 183 TAGACAAAAACAGTTAA CrmiPEP319a Capsella rubella ATGCATCCACATACATACATACATATACCATCATCTTCTTTTCTCA SEQ ID NO: 184 TCTCTAGTTTTTGTTTATAA EgmiPEP319a Eucalyptus grandis ATGAAGCATATTCAAAGGTGGAGATATGGGGAGACTTCCGGAAG SEQ ID NO: 185 GCAAGGGGATTGGAAAAGGCTCGAGATCAAAGTGCATAGCAACC CTTCGCTAAAGGTGAAAAAGAATACGAATAACTTCAGTAGCTCAC TTTAA GrmiPEP319a Gossypium raimondii ATGATCCATTTCAACCTGTCACAGTGGAGAGCAATTTGTATGGCT SEQ ID NO: 186 AATTTCCATCTCACCTATTCTTTTCTGTTTGGGGTTCTCTAG MtmiPEP319a Medicago truncatula ATGCATGTATATCTTGAATTGTTTATGGTAATAAAGGGGTTAGGA SEQ ID NO: 187 TTTCTCCTTTTGGTGAAGTGA OsmiPEP319a Oryza sativa ATGGAAATGATACAAAGGCCGTGTTTAATTTTAAAATTTTTTTTCA SEQ ID NO: 188 AACTTTCAACACTTTACATCCCATAA PpmiPEP319a Physcomitrella patens ATGTTCCACCGTCGGAGATCCTCGGTGCTGCTACCCCCGTTCGGC SEQ ID NO: 189 CAAACCCAACCCAACCCTAGGTGTCTGCCGGACCTCCGCTTCCCC TCCTGCTTCACCCCCTGCACCGCTTAA ThmiPEP319a1 Thellungiella halophila ATGACGATATGTAAAGTAAGCAAGGCATGTTTTTATGCAGGGAA SEQ ID NO: 190 GATTGAAAATTCAAGATTAATCAAGAAAATTGGAATACCAAAAA GAGAGGGAGCTCCCTTCAGTCCAATCAGAGAGAATCAATGA ThmiPEP319a2 Thellungiella halophila ATGGAGATTCAAATTAAAAAGAAAAACTTATATATAATGAATAC SEQ ID NO: 191 ACAAAAGCTACCTAATCTGTATATATATATATATAAATATGTCTT CATTAAATTAATGGTCGTGGAATAG AtmiPEP319b1 Arabidopsis thaliana ATGGTACCTCAAATTAATCTATGGTCATCTAGGGTTATCTTGAAG SEQ ID NO: 192 ATTAGAATTGATTCTAGCACGCACAGAGAGGAAGATCATTGCATC CAGAATCACAAACATG3GCCTATCTTTTATCTTTTCTTTTTGA AtmiPEP394a1 Arabidopsis thaliana ATGTCTCTCCAATTTTATGAGAGGGTTTCCTTCAAGAACACAGTA SEQ ID NO: 193 AAATAG AtmiPEP395c1 Arabidopsis thaliana ATGACAGAGCAAGAAGAAGAAAGTCAAATGTCCACATGA SEQ ID NO: 194 AtmiPEP395e1 Arabidopsis thaliana ATGTATCTACAATATATTGATAATGTAATATCTATATATTCAAAC SEQ ID NO: 195 AATCGTCGTGTTGGTCGGATGTTTTCTAGAGTTCCTCTGAGCACTT CATTGGAGATACAATTTTTTATAAAATAG AtmiPEP397b1 Arabidopsis thaliana ATGAGCAAGGAGATATTTTTTTCCCCTGGGTTTGAATGA SEQ ID NO: 196 AtmiPEP398c1 Arabidopsis thaliana ATGAGAACACACGAGCAATCAACGGCTATAACGACGCTACGTCA SEQ ID NO: 197 TTGTTACAGCTCTCGTTTCATGTGTTCTCAGGTCACCCCTGCTGAG CTCTTTCTCTACCGTCCATGTTTTATCAACGCCGTGGCCCGTG AtmiPEP399b Arabidopsis thaliana ATGAAGAGAAACATGTAA SEQ ID NO: 198 AtmiPEP399d1 Arabidopsis thaliana ATGCAATGTGAAATATGA SEQ ID NO: 199 AtmiPEP403 Arabidopsis thaliana ATGTTTTGTGCTTGA SEQ ID NO: 200 AtmiPEP447a1 Arabidopsis thaliana ATGGTCATGGCTCATCATTAG SEQ ID NO: 201 AtmiPEP447a2 Arabidopsis thaliana ATGATGAAACCTCGATGGAACTGCTCTCTTTATGGAATCACGGAA SEQ ID NO: 202 TGGACAAATAATCAAAATCAGAAATCGAAGCGAAAAGGGAGGA GAAAAACGCAGATTTGGAGGATTGGGGACAGATTAGATACTGTT GAATGCATCACTCTAATGCTATCAGCCTATTAA AtmiPEP447b1 Arabidopsis thaliana ATGCTGCTTATCATCGTGGAGTTGGTTCTGTAA SEQ ID NO: 203 AtmiPEP447b2 Arabidopsis thaliana ATGCTTTGTTTCAATTTCAGGTGCGTTAGAAGGTTTGCAGAGTAG SEQ ID NO: 204 AtmiPEP447c Arabidopsis thaliana ATGTACACCTACCAGCTTGATAACTCTTTTTCGTGGTTTCTGTGTA SEQ ID NO: 205 CTCGTTTCTGTTTGTACAGATACTTCTTGTTCAATTTCAGATGCTTT AGAAGGTTTTCGGAG dmmiPEP1a Drosophila melanogaster ATGTGGCGCGAAGTATGCGCACAAAAAAGTCAAACAAAAAGGCG SEQ ID NO: 206 CAATTTTATTACGGGCAACCAACGACGAAACAAAACAAAAGCCA ACCGAAAAGCAGAAACAAAGCAGCAAAAAGTTTATGAATTTTTT GTGCAGGCGCGTGAAAGATGCAAAACGAGAAAAAAACATGAAA AAAAAACATTAAAAAAAACAAAAAAAATCCAAAACAGATACCG AGCTGTATCCGAAAACGAGTGGGGAAAGGGGTTTCCCAGTCACA TATAA DmmiPEP1b Drosophila melanogaster ATGCGCACAAAAAAGTCAAACAAAAAGGCGCAATTTTATTACGG SEQ ID NO: 207 GCAACCAACGACGAAACAAAACAAAAGCCAACCGAAAAGCAGA AACAAAGCAGCAAAAAGTTTATGA DmmiPEP8 Drosophila melanogaster ATGGAGCCTGGCTTTGTTTTTGTTTTATTTCCAACCCACTTGAGCA SEQ ID NO: 208 CACAGCACACACAGAGAGAAAAATCAATACTCGTTATGGGATTA AATTTACAAAGCGCAAAGCAAAGCGACAAACAAAATTCAAAAGA AAGAAAAAAAAACACTCAAATAAACTCACAAAGAATTCCTTATC GCCAAGGGGGCCAATGTTCTAAGGTTCTTTCGCCTTGA HsmiPEP155 Homo sapiens TGGAGATGGCTCTAATGGTGGCACAAACCAGGAAGGGGAAATCT SEQ ID NO: 356 GTGGTTTAA AtmiPEP157c Arabidopsis thaliana ATGATGTTGCATATCACACATAGGTTTGAGAGTGATGTTGGTTGT SEQ ID NO: 387 TGA AtmiPEP157d Arabidopsis thaliana ATGCTGTATGTATAG SEQ ID NO: 388 AtmiPEP160c Arabidopsis thaliana ATGTTCATGCGTAGAGGTTTGGTATACAACAATATATACATATAA SEQ ID NO: 389 AtmiPEP164b Arabidopsis thaliana ATGATGAAGGTGTGTGATGAGCAAGATGGAGAAGCAGGGCACGT SEQ ID NO: 390 GCATTACTAG AtmiPEP166c Arabidopsis thaliana ATGAAGAAGAGAATCACTCGAATTAATTTGGAAGAACAAATTAA SEQ ID NO: 391 GAAAACCCTAGATGATTCTCGGACCAGGCTTCATTCCCCCTAA AtmiPEP166d Arabidopsis thaliana ATGAAGAAGATCGGTAGtATTGATTCATTTTAA SEQ ID NO: 392 AtmiPEP169a Arabidopsis thaliana ATGACTTGCCGATTTAAATGA SEQ ID NO: 393 AtmiPEP169h1 Arabidopsis thaliana ATGGTGACATGA SEQ ID NO: 394 AtmiPEP169h2 Arabidopsis thaliana ATGAAGAATGAGAACTTGTGTGGTAGCCAAGGATGA SEQ ID NO: 395 AtmiPEP169n Arabidopsis thaliana ATGAAGTGTATGATGAAGAAGAGAGGTCTAACATGGCGGAAAGC SEQ ID NO: 396 GTCATGTTTAGTAGCCAAGGATGACTTGCCTGATCTTTTTCGCCTC CACGATTCAATTTCAAATTCATGCATTTTGGATTATTATACCTTTT AA AtmiPEP170 Arabidopsis thaliana ATGTTTCCGAGAGAGTCCCTCTGA SEQ ID NO: 397 AtmiPEP396a Arabidopsis thaliana ATGACCCTCTCTGTATTCTTCCACAGCTTTCTTGAACTGCAAAACT SEQ ID NO: 398 TCTTCAGATTTTTTTTTTTTTCTTTTGATATCTCTTACGCATAA AtmiPEP399c Arabidopsis thaliana ATGTCACTTGCCAAAGGAGAGTTGCCCTGTCACTGCTTCCGCTTA SEQ ID NO: 399 AACACAGTCTATAACCGGTTCTGCTAA MtmiPEP169d Medicago truncatula ATGGTCAAAGAGTCTTTCATGGAGAGGTTGAAAGTGAGATGA SEQ ID NO: 425

TABLE 3 List of the primary transcripts (pri-miRNAs) miPEP Organism Sequence of the Pri-miRNA SEQ ID AtmiPEP156a1 Arabidopsis  ATTCATTGTTCACTCTCAAATCTCAAGTTCATTGCCATTTTTAGGTCTCTC SEQ ID NO: 209 AtmiPEP156a2 thaliana TATAAATTCAAATGTTCTGTTCAATTCAATGCGTCGCCAGACATCTGTTC AtmiPEP156a3 CCTTTGCATGTAAGAGAGATAAAGAAAGCGACAAGAGCCATAAAGAAA GGTAAGACTCTTTGAAATAGAGAGAGATAAGGTTTTCTCTTATCTTCTTC TCATCAGATCTTTGTTTCTTTACCCTCTTTCTTTCTTTTTTTTGCTTTTTATG GTTATGTTTTTTCTCGATTTAGACAAAAACCCTAGATTTGATCTTCTAAAG GGTCTCAAATGGAATCTCTTCTCTTCTCATATCTCTCCCTCTCTCCCTCCC TCTCTTTGATTCTTTGTCTTCTCCAGTTAAAACTCAGATCTAACACAAAGC TTAAAAGATTCTCATCGTTTCTTGTTTTCTTTGTTTCATCTTGTAGATCTCT GAAGTTGGACTAATTGTGAATGAAAGAGTTGGGACAAGAGAAACGCAA AGAAACTGACAGAAGAGAGTGAGCACACAAAGGCAATTTGCATATCATT GCACTTGCTTCTCTTGCGTGCTCACTGCTCTTTCTGTCAGATTCCGGTGCT GATCTCTTT AtmiPEP156c1 Arabidopsis  CTCTGCCTTTAGTTCTTTCTTTTTTGGTAATATATTTATTTTTCGTTACGAT SEQ ID NO: 210 AtmiPEP156c2 thaliana TTGGTCAAAACCCTAGATTTGTTTTCCAAAAGCATATCTGAAAATGAAGG ACAACTTTCCTCTTCTCCTTCGGTTATAAATATTCTCTCCGGTTTTGCTTGT TTAACCTAAAAGCCTCAGATCTAACTCCAACACCTTCAAAGTCTGCCTCC TTTCCAATCTTCTTTCTTCTGTTCGATCTCTAATCTCAGAATTTGTGTCGGT AAGGTAAAGGTGATAATGAGTGATGACTGATGAGGGAGTTTTGGGACAA ATTTTAAGAGAAACGCATAGAAACTGACAGAAGAGAGTGAGCACACAA AGGCACTTTGCATGTTCGATGCATTTGCTTCTCTTGCGTGCTCACTGCTCT ATCTGTCAGATTCCGGCT AtmiPEP156e1 Arabidopsis  TCCCACATCCAAAGATAGAAAGATGTAAGGTCTAGAGTCTTGTTCTTAAT SEQ ID NO: 211 thaliana CCCCTAACAGAACAATGATATATATAAATAAATATGGGTCGATATCGGC TGTGGAGGACGACTAGCTACGGTTTCGAGCCTGGTCACATGCGTAGAGT GTGAAAGGTAATTAGGAGGTGACAGAAGAGAGTGAGCACACATGGTGG TTTCTTGCATGCTTTTTTGATTAGGGTTTCATGCTTGAAGCTATGTGTGCT TACTCTCTCTCTGTCACCCCT AtmiPEP156f1 Arabidopsis  TCCCACAGCCAATGAGCCAAAGATAAAGAAACACCTATCCTATAATAAT SEQ ID NO: 212 thaliana TTAGAGCAATATACCTCCATAATGGAACATCTATATATATAAAGGTATCC GTATATCTCTATATATTATATTCATTGAGTTTAAAGTGGCTAGGGTTTATA GATGTATGTGATATTAAGAGATATGAAACATATTTGTCGACGGTTTGAGT GGTGAGGAATTGATGGTGACAGAAGAGAGTGAGCACACATGGTGGCTTT CTTGCATATTTGAAGGTTCCATGCTTGAAGCTATGTGTGCTCACTCTCTAT CCGTCACCCCCTTCTCTCCCTCTCCCTC AlmiPEP159a Arabidopsis  AAAAAATGACGTGTCCTCTTCTCTCTCTCTCTTTCCTTCTCTCTAAGTATA SEQ ID NO: 213 lyrata TTTAGGGTTAATTATTAGGGTTCTTTATCTCTTTCTTCAGTCTTTGAAGTTT CTTCAATAGCTTTAATTGAAGTGATTTACCTCTCTGGGTGTTTTTAGTATA TATATCATGTACATGATCGAATTTCTTTCTATCCAAGTTCTCATCAAACCT TCTCATGTTTTGAAGAGTTAAAGGCTTTATAGTTTGCTTAGGTCAGATCC ATAACATACTGTATTTGACAAGTTTCTTTGTCTCACGATAGATCTTGGTCT GACCAAAATGATTTTCTCGAGAAAAAAAAAGATGGAAGTAGAGCTCCTT GAAGTTCAAACGAGAGTTGAGCAGGGTAAAGAAAAGCTGCTAAGCTATG GATCCCATAAGCCCTAATCCTTATAAAGAAAAAAAAGGATTTGGTTATAT GGCTTGCATATCTCAGGAGCTTTAACTTGCCCTTTAATGGCTTTTACTCTT CTTTGGATTGAAGGGAGCTCTACATCTTCTTTCACCTTCTCTATTTTTCTTT CTTTATTTTCTCCTCTACAGTAATTTATTTGGATT AtmiPEP159a1 Arabidopsis  TTCCAAAACATGACGTGGCCTCTTCTCTCTCTCTCTTTCCTTCTCTCTAAG SEQ ID NO: 214 thaliana TATGTTTAGGGTTAATAATTAGGGTTCCTCCTCTCTTTTGTTCTGTCTTTAT ATCTCCTTCATAGCTCTAATGTAAGAGATTTACCTCTTTTGGTGTTTTTGT TAATCCACGTTCTCATCAAAACTTTCTCATTGTTTTATGAAGAGTTAAAG GTCTTTACAGTTTGCTTATGTCAGATCCATAATATATTTGACAAGATACTT TGTTTTTCGATAGATCTTGATCTGACGATGGAAGTAGAGCTCCTTAAAGT TCAAACATGAGTTGAGCAGGGTAAAGAAAAGCTGCTAAGCTATGGATCC CATAAGCCCTAATCCTTGTAAAGTAAAAAAGGATTTGGTTATATGGATTG CATATCTCAGGAGCTTTAACTTGCCCTTTAATGGCTTTTACTCTTCTTTGG ATTGAAGGGAGCTCTACATCTTCTTTCACCTTCTCTATTTTTTATTTTTCTT TATTTCTACTCAACAATTATTTATTCGGATTCATCTTTAATTTTCCGTTAT AATTTCTTTTTGGTAAGGATTATTCGCTATAATTTGAGAAT CrmiPEP159a Capsella  TTCCAACGAATGACGTGTACTCTCTCTGCTCTATCTCTCTCTCTAAATATG SEQ ID NO: 215 rubella TTTAGGGTTAATTAGGGTTCTTCATCTGTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTTCAG AGTCTTTATAGCTTCTTCCAAGATTTTTAATTGAAAGTAATTTACCTCTTT TGGAGTTCTGTACATATAGAATATCAGGAGTCGTGTTTCTTTTTTATCAA GGTTCTCATCTAACCTTTATAGTATTTTCATTAGTTGATAAAGGTCTTCAT AGTTTGCTTAGATCAGATCTTGTCTTCGTCTTTTCGATAGATCTTGTTCTG TCCAATATACAGTGATTTTATTTCGAGAGCAAAAAAGATGAGAGGTAGA GCTCCTTGAAGTTCAAACGAGAGTTTAGCAGGGTAGAGAAAAGCTGCTA AGCTATGGATCCCATAAGCCCTAATCCTTGTTAATGATAAAGGATTTGGT TATATGGCTTGCATATCTCAGGAGCTTTAACTTGCCCTTTAATTGCTTTTA CTCTTCTTTGGATTGAAGGGAGCTCTACATCTTCTTTGACTTCTCTCTCTA TTAAGTCTTTCTTTATTTTCTTCTCTACAATAGTTGTTTTGGATCGGAAGA TCTTTAAGTTTCCCTTA AtmiPEP159b1 Arabidopsis  TTTCACTTTTGTTCTCCTCCTCCCTTTTTTTCTTTTCAGGATTCTTCTTTTCT SEQ ID NO: 216 AtmiPEP159b2 thaliana ATGTTTTATCTTTCATAATAGATCTGATAATTTTGATTTTTCACTATATAT ATTATGGTTAATACTAGTAGCTTTTTCATTTCAAGTTTTATCCTTCCATTG GTTCTTTCTGAGTCAAATTGTCTCCTGTTTCGAACCATATATAAGTTTTCA ATGGTTTTGTATTAACTCAAGTATTCAACATTATGTCTCTCTTTTTCTTGC TTGGATCTCTAATGCTGTTCATATTTTAAAGCATAGGTTTAGGTTAGATG CATGTAACTGCCAATTAAAAGAAGGTCAAGAGTTTTTTGATTGTATGAAT ATATGAGTTAGTCAAAGCAGATCCACACGATTATATAGAAAAACAAAGG AAGAAGAAGAGGAAGAGCTCCTTGAAGTTCAATGGAGGGTTTAGCAGGG TGAAGTAAAGCTGCTAAGCTATGGATCCCATAAGCCTTATCAAATTCAAT ATAATTGATGATAAGGTTTTTTTTATGGATGCCATATCTCAGGAGCTTTC ACTTACCCCTTTAATGGCTTCACTCTTCTTTGGATTGAAGGGAGCTCTTCA TCTCTC AtmiPEP160a1 Arabidopsis  CATCCCACCCTTAATTGTTTTATATAAACCATTTCTCCTCCTCTCTCCATC SEQ ID NO: 217 thaliana ACCTTCAATCTCTCTCGATCTCTCTCTGGATCCCCAATCTCACCTCCATGT TTTGTTTGTTGATTCCCATCTTCTCTTTTGTCTTTTCACCAAATCGTCATTT AAGGCTTCAAGAACAGTAACCCCAATTCCTCCACAAGAGGGAGAGAAAA CAAAAGATCTTCCAATTCCATTCTCGTACATGCAAATCACAATCCATGCC ATAGATTGTTTCTATTCCTCCTTATTTATTGCTTGTATCTGTTCATGCATG GACCAGGTGGAGAGAGCATTACTTAAAAATAGAATTAGCTATCTGTTTTA GGCGAATTAGTTTCCTTACATAACCATGTATATGTCATGACGCATATACA TATGTAGATGTATATGTATTATATATGTATGCCTGGCTCCCTGTATGCCAT ATGCTGAGCCCATCGAGTATCGATGACCTCCGTGGATGGCGTATGAGGA GCCATGCATAT AtmiPEP160b1 Arabidopsis  ACTCATAACTCTCCCCAAATTCTTGACCAAAAATATCCGCCACTTTCTCTC SEQ ID NO: 218 AtmiPEP160b2 thaliana TGGTTCATGTTTTCCCCTCAATGAAATACATACACATTTTGATTTTATTTA AATCAAGATCGACGTATAAGCTATCCACCAATCATATTTAAGGGTTCCCG TATACATATATACTATATATATATATGGAATAATAGTCGTGCCTGGCTCC CTGTATGCCACAAGAAAACATCGATTTAGTTTCAAAATCGATCACTAGTG GCGTACAGAGTAGTCAAGCATGAC AtmiPEP 161 Arabidopsis  CTCTAACTCATCCTTCTCTTCTATGAAAATTCCATTGTTTCTGCCGAAGCT SEQ ID NO: 219 thaliana TTGATCAGTACTTCTCTTTTGCTTGATCTCGGTTTTTGACCAGTTTATTGC GTCGATCAATGCATTGAAAGTGACTACATCGGGGTTCCGATTTTTTTTGT TCTTCATATGATGAAGCGGAAACAGTAATCAACCCTGGTTTAGTCACTTT CACTGCATTAATCAATGCATTTGTAAAAAGAGGGAAAAGCA AtmiPEP162a1 Arabidopsis  CTAGAAGAAAAAACCAGATCTATAAAGTTTGTTATTAAAAGATAGAGAG SEQ ID NO: 220 thaliana AGAGGAGGGATGTAGTAGGCCAATAGGCAAATCAGAGAATCACAAATG GTATCTGGTCAAGAAGATTCCTGGTTAAAACTTTCATCTCTCTGTTTCCTT TTTCTTTCTTTGTTGGATTCATTAATTTGACATATCTCTATCATCACACTG ATTCTCTTTCTCCCAGTTTGTCTGCAGATGCATGTGTGTAATCTAGGGTAT ATGTTTTTGTCCATTTGGTTTCATAAGGCAATAAAGATCCAGCTATTTACT ACTTGTGGTATAGATTTTGACTGTTGAATTTTCAGATCTGATGTGTTTCGT TTGATCCGATTCGGAAAATTTATGTTTCGTTGACATTTTGGAGTTTAGTTG GAAGAAGAGTGAGAGTCGCTGGAGGCAGCGGTTCATCGATCTCTTCCTG TGAACACATTAAAAATGTAAAAGCATGAATAGATCGATAAACCTCTGCA TCCAGCGTTTGCCTCTTGTATCTTTCTTATTGACTT AtmiPEP162b1 Arabidopsis  CTGCATCTATCCACCTCTCTCTGTAAATTTATCTAAATGTTTCTTTTAATC SEQ ID NO: 221 thaliana TTTTTGAGATTAATAATGATTTGTGTTTGTTCATCAACCGATTTTCTCAGA TCTGTCAATTATTTTTGTTTATTTATTTATGATTTATGAATGAGGAAAGAG TGAAGTCGCTGGAGGCAGCGGTTCATCGATCAATTCCTGTGAATATTTAT TTTTGTTTACAAAAGCAAGAATCGATCGATAAACCTCTGCATCCAGCGCT GCTTGCTC AtmiPEP163-1 Arabidopsis  TATCACAGTTCTCATCAAATATTTGAAAGTATCAAACAAAAAAAGGAGA SEQ ID NO: 222 AtmiPEP163-2 thaliana GTGAGAAAAATAAAGAGAGAGATAGAGAGAGATCATGTCCACTACTCA AGAGCATAGGTCTTGATTGGTGGAAGACAAGTACCTTAGATAAACCGAC CAAAACCCGGTGGATAAAATCGAGTTCCAACCTCTTCAACGACAACGAT TTCAACACTCTCTTCCAGGAACAACTTCCTCCAGGCAGATGATACTAAAG TGCTGGAGTTCCCGGTTCCTGAGAGTGAGTCCATATCAAAATGCGCATTC GTTATCACTTGGTTGAACCCATTTGGGGATTTAAATTTGGAGGTGAAATG GAACGCGTAATTGATGACTCCTACGTGGAACCTCTTCTTAGGAAGAGCAC GGTCGAAGAAGTAACTGCGCAGTGCTTAAATCGTAGATGCTAAAGTCGT TGAAGAGGACTTGGAACTTCGATATTATCCCCCGTGT AlmiPEP164a1 Arabidopsis  AGTAGGGTTGGAAAATTTTTTTACATTTTTACTCTAAAATAGAATAGAGT SEQ ID NO: 223 AlmiPEP164a2 lyrata TGGAGATGCCCTTAGCAGTTATTAGACAAGGGATTGTTTGGCCCTAGCGA AlmiPEP164a3 TCCTCTCTTCACTCTCTCACTTTTGTAGTTCAACCCTTCTTTTGCGTGAGAT GCCATCATGGCATGACATGGTTCTTTTGCCTTACGTAAAACACACTCACG CCAACACACGCCACATAACATAAATAAATTATATATACATATACGTATGT GCGTGTGAGTCTTCCATTAATGCAATCTTTGGGCCTATATATATATACAA ACCTTCCATAACCAAAGTTATCATACTACAAAAGCTCTCTCGTACTTGGA AATGCGGGTGAGAATCTCCATGTTGGAGAAGCAGGGCACGTGCAAACCA ACAAACACGAAATCCGTCTCATGTGTTTTGCACGTACTCCCCTTCTCCAA CATGAGCTCCTGACCCATTG AtmiPEP164a1 Arabidopsis  AGACAAGCCCCCACACTAAAAAAACAGTAATATGGAATAAAAAAAAGC SEQ ID NO: 224 AtmiPEP164a2 thaliana TTTCAAAACTTAGCAGTTATTAGACAAGGTATTGTTTGGCCCTAGCTAGC AtmiPEP164a3 GATCGTTTAGCTCTCTTCACTCTCTCACTTTTTTAGTTCAACCCTTCTTTTG CGTGAGATGCCATCATGGCATGGTATGGTTCTTTTGCCTTACGTAAAACA CACTCACGCCAGCACACACACACACACACATAACATATACGGATGTGCG TGTGAGCTAGTCTTCCATTAATGCAATCTTTGGGCCTATATATACAAACC TTTCCATAACCAAAGTTCTCATACTACAAACGCCCCTCATGTGCTTGGAA ATGCGGGTGAGAATCTCCATGTTGGAGAAGCAGGGCACGTGCAAACCAA CAAACACGAAATCCGTCTCATTTGCTTATTTGCACGTACTTAACTTCTCCA ACATGAGCTCTTCACCC BrmiPEP164a1 Brassica rapa AGACAACCCCACGTTTTAAAATAAGAAATGATGATAATTTTGTGGAAAT SEQ ID NO: 225 BrmiPEP164a2 AAAAGCTAGTATACTTTTGCAATAATTAGACAAGGTATTGATGCTTTGGG BrmiPEP164a3 CCAAGCTAGTTTCTTTTAGCACTCTTCACTCACTAGTTTTTCTTCTCAGCC CTTCTTTTGCGTGAAATGCCATCATGGCATGGCATTGTCATTTTGCCTTTC GTAAAACACACTCACGCCAACATACATTATTCATATTCATGTGTATGTAT ATGAATGTTCCATTAATGCAATCTTTGGGGCCTATATATACGAAGCTTAC ATCACCAAAGCTCTCATATTACAAAAGCTCACATATATACTTGGAAATGT AGGTGAGAACCTCCATGTTGGAGAAGCAGGGCACGTGCAAACCAAAAA ACATGAAATCTGTTTCATATGCTTTGCACGTGCTCCCCTCCTCCAACATG A CpmiPEP164a1 Carica papaya AGACAACACTCCTCTTTGTTCCCTTCCTCACGTATCCACTTTTGAAATTTG SEQ ID NO: 226 CpmiPEP164a2 TAATTTGTGTGCACCACCATGATTGCATGCCATCCCTACTTGCCTTTTCCC CTTTTCCTTTCTCTAACATTTTACTCAATCTTCTTCTCCCCCTCCCCCCCTT CCCCCTCTCTGCCATTATAACCATAATTAAACCTCTCTCCCTCTCTCTCCC TCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTGGGTTCTCAGTATAAATGCAGCTCTGCTTATA CTTCCACACCTATATATATATACCTGACCCTTCTTCACCTCCTTCATCCAC CTCCTCCTTCTTCCCCAAAACTTTCTTAACTGTTCTCTGCATACATATATA TCCACATACATATATATATATATAGAGAGAGAGTGAGACAGAGAGGTTA CCGAGGCAATTGGGTGAGTAGCTCCCTGTTGGAGAAGCAGGGCACGTGC AAATTCTCCATGGCTTTCCCCTCTTTGCACGTGCTCCCCTTCTCCAACATG GGTTCC CrmiPEP164a1 Capsella  CGGCCACCCCCACATTTAACAAGAAAAAAACTGATGGAATTAAAAGGTT SEQ ID NO: 227 CrmiPEP164a2 rubella TGAGAACTTGGCAGTTATTAGACAAGGTATAGTTTGGCCCTAGCTTCTTT CrmiPEP164a3 TAATTTAGCTCTCTCCACTCTCACACTTTTCAACTTTCACCCTTCTCTTGC GTGAGTCGCGAGATGCCATCATGGCATGGCATGGCATGTTTCTATTGCCT TACGTAAAACACACTCACGCCAACACATACTCACTATACATGTAAATAA GTATGTGCGCGTGTGAGTCTTCCATCCATCAATGCAATCTTTGGGGCTAT ATATATACAAACCTTTTCCATAACCAAAGCTCTCATATAAACTACAAAAG GCTCACTTGGGAAATGCGGGTGAGAATCTCCACGTTGGAGAAGCAGGGC ACGTGCAAACCAACAAACACGAAACCCTCCTCATGTGCTTTGCACGTACT CCCCTTCTCCAACATG GrmiPEP164a1 Gossypium  GAAAACCCAAGTTCAGGCTAACAAGTTATCTGATGATGAGATCAAGAAT SEQ ID NO: 228 GrmiPEP164a2 raimondii TTTAAAGTTTCAATATAGATTTGGCATGGGTATTGGCGGCAGAAAGCAAT GrmiPEP164a3 TAAAAAACCAGTTATGTCAAATTCAAGGTCGTATCAGTTAAAATGAATG AAGATTTAGAAATTTCAACAAGGAAGAGGACCCCACAGCTTTGTTAAAT TAAGTGTGTGGTTTTTATAATTATCATCTCGAAAGTTTCATAATATCAATT AGATTAAAACATCTCTGAATTTCATAATTACAAACCAGATAGATAGATAC ATGAAAACTTAGACCCCAGAGATCTGTCTTTAAAGAATGCCCACTTCTAG ACTCAATCTCTATTACTCTCTTTTTTTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTTCGGAAAAACT TGTATATAAATAAATGACACTTTCTTTGCTTTCTGCACTCAACTCATGAAC TTGAAAAGCTTTACTTGGATGGGTTGGTTGGGGGTGAGTATCTCTTGTTG GAGAAGCAGGGCACGTGCAAGTTCCTATGTTTAAGTGAACTTTGCACGT GCTCCCCTTCTCCACCGTGAG MtmiPEP164a1 Medicago  GAAGAGAAAAAACCTAGTGTAAAATTTGATATACTCTTTATGTATAGTAC SEQ ID NO: 229 MtmiPEP164a2 truncatula GAATGTTTTTTTAAAAATTATGTAAAAAATGATAAAATAATAACTAACTA AATTAACAGTAAAATTAGAAAAGTAAAATACTATGCCCAAATTTGATAT TTTTTTTTATATATTTGTATAGATTATTATTATTTGATATGTAAAGTCCAA TTAAAAATTTGTTTTAACTAAGATTTGAACTAGGTTTTCTTAAAAGACTC ATCTTTTACTTCAAATTTATTTATCATTTGAATTCAATCACTTTCTAATATT ATTATTATTATTTCCACCATACTCATTGCTTCTGCCACGTTACTTTAGTTA GATCTCTTATGTCATATATCTCTCTCTCTCCTAAGTTGCTACCTATAAATA CTAAGCCTTTCCCTTGGTTGGTTCAATTCAACTTCTACTTCTCATCAAACA CAAAGTGCAATAAGCTTCATTTCCTGGGTGAGAAGCTCCTTGTTGGAGAA GCAGGGCACGTGCAAATCCTCTTTCTGATTCATTCTCTCATAATGCATAT CAATATCTTTTGCACGTGCTCCCCTTCTCCAACTAGG OsmiPEP164a1 Oryza sativa ATGCAAACCCACTCCAACACTCCACAATCCACATACTCTCTCTCTCTCTCT SEQ ID NO: 230 OsmiPEP164a2 CTCTCTGAGTAGGAGTACATGTGTGTGTGTGATATCAATATGCATTCGAT GTTGATGCTACTGTAGCCATCTTGTGGCTATATAAACCCAGCAGGCAGCA GCACAGCTTAGCTAGAGAGCCATATTGCATGCACACTCGCTAATCTCTTT TCTCTACTCTACTTGCATTACACCACCTCTGCATTGCACTTCAGTTCATTC ATTCCACTGATGCATGGATCGATGTTGCTACCTTCTTCTCTTCTCCTCATG CATCCATGCATCGATCTCACCTAGCTTCTTCCTCATCCTCTCTCGATCGAT TACAAGAGAAAAGTGTTTGCTGTTCTTGCTATCGATCTACAGGTGAGTAG GTTCTTGTTGGAGAAGCAGGGTACGTGCAAAATGCACACCGGTTGGTCG AGCTAATTAACAAGCTCTGACGACCATGGTGATCGAATGCACGTGCTCCC CTTCTCCACCATGGCCT AlmiPEP165a Arabidopsis  CTAGGGTTTAGGAATGACGACTTGTTTCTGTTGTGTCTTATTAAAAGCCC SEQ ID NO: 231 lyrata ATCTTCGTCTCCGCCACTCATCATTCCCTCATCATAACACCATCATCACCA TTCACCAACCTCTCTCTCTTTCTCTCTCTCCTCTCGATCTACAACAAAATG TGAATCTGCTAAGATCGATTATCATGAGAATTAAGCTATTTCAGTTGAGG GGAATGTTGTCTGGATCGAGGATATTATACATATATACATGTGTATGTTG ATACATGTGATCATAGAGAGTATCCTCGGACCAGGCTTCATCCCCCCCAA CATGTTATTGCCTCTGATCACCATATATATGTCGTTACATTTCATGGTTAA TTACTTGCACAAATCACAAAAGCTTGGTTTGTAACTTTCTATGACCTTTTT TAATGACTTTGAATCTTTCATGCATGACTTCTTAAGAGTAGATTTACACA TTTGCGGATCCGTTTATGCTTTTTGCTTTTGTTTCGTTTATATATAT AtmiPEP165a Arabidopsis  CTAGGGTTTAGGAATGACGACCTGTTTCTGTTGTGTCTTATTAAAAGCCC SEQ ID NO: 232 thaliana ATCTTCGTCTCCGCCACTCATCATTCCCTCATCATAACACCATCATCACCA TTCACCAACCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCCTCTATCACTCTCTACAACAAAAATTT GTGAATCTGCTAAGATCGATTATCATGAGGGTTAAGCTATTTCAGTTGAG GGGAATGTTGTCTGGATCGAGGATATTATAGATATATACATGTGTATGTT AATGATTCAAGTGATCATAGAGAGTATCCTCGGACCAGGCTTCATCCCCC CCAACATGTTATTGCCTCTGATCACCATTTATTGTTACATTTTTTTTTGTTA ATTACTTGCGCAAATTACAAAAGCTTGGTTTTTGTGATGACTTTGAATCTT TCTTGCATGGCTTCTTAAGAGTAGATTTACGGATCCGTCTATGCTTTTTGC TTTTTGTTTCGTTTATTTGTATTTAAAC BcmiPEP165a Brassica  GAGATCAATGAAATTATCCTGCCAAATAAAACGTGTGACGTTTATTCAAA SEQ ID NO: 233 carinata AATATATGCATTAGATGCTTTGATATTAAAATATTTCCTTTTAAAAGCTA GCTAGGGTTTAGGAATGACGAGTTGTGTCTTATTAAAAGCCCTTCTTCTC CTCCGCCACTCATCATTCCCTCATCATAACACCATCATCACCATTCACCC ACCTCTCCTCTTTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTAGAACAACAAG TGAGAATCTGCTAAAATATTGTGACTATTATCATGAGAATGAAGCTATTT CAGTTGAGGGGAATGTTGTCTGGATCGAGGATATTATATATACACAAAT ACGTATATATGTTAATACAAGTGTTTGATCATATATGTATATAGATTATT CTCGGACCAGGCTTCATCCCCCCTAACATGTTATTGCCTCTGATCACCAG ATTCTATCAACTCTTCGCTTATTATTTTGTCACAAACAAGTAATAAGCTCA TAATTTTCTTTGAGTCTTTCAGCATCGTTTCATTATGTTTTTCGAATCCG BjmiPEP165a Brassica  GAGATCAATGAAATTATCCTGCCAAATAAAACGTGTGACGTTTATTCAAA SEQ ID NO: 234 juncea AATATATGCATTAAATGCTTTGATATTAAAATATTTCCTTTTAAAAGCTA GCTAGGGTTTAGGAATGACGAGTTGTGTCTTATTAAAAGCCCTTCTTCTC CTCCGCCACTCATCATTCCCTCATCATAACACCATCATCACCATTCATCCA CCTCTTCTCTCCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCT AGAACAACAAGTGAGAATCTGCTAAAATATTGTGATTATTATCATGAGA ATGAAGCTATTTCAGTTGAGGGGAATGTTGTCTGGATCGAGGATATTATA TATACACAAATATGTATATATATGTTAATATCAGTGTTTGATCATATATA TGTATATAGATTATTCTCGGACCAGGCTTCATCCCCCCTAACATGTTATTG CCTCTGATCACCAGATTCTATCAACTCTTAGCTTATTATTTGTCACAAACA AGTAATAAGCTCAATAATGTCTTTGAGTCTTTCAGCATCGTTTCATATGTT TTCGAATCCG BnmiPEP165a Brassica napus GATATCAATGAAATTATCCTGCCAAATAAAACGTGTGACGTTTATTCAAA SEQ ID NO: 235 AATATATGCTTTAAATGCTTTCATATTAAAATATTTCCTTTTAAAAGCTAG CTAGGGTTTAGGAATGACGAGTTGTGTCTTATTAAAAGCCCTTCTTCTCC TCCGCCACTCATCATTCCCTCATCATAACACCATCATCACCATTCACCCA CCTCTCCTCTTTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTAGAACAACAAGT GAGAATCTGCTAAAATATTGTGACTATTATCATGAGAATGAAGCTATTTC AGTTGAGGGGAATGTTGTCTGGATCGAGGATATTATATATACACAAATA CGTATATATGATAATACAAGTGTTTGATCATATATGTATATAGATTATTC TCGGACCAGGCTTCATCCCCCCTAACATGTTATTGCCTCTGATCACCAGA TTCTATCAACTCTTCGCTTATTATTTGTCACAAACAAGTAATAAGCTCAAT AATGTCTTTGAGTCTTTCAGCATCGTTTCATATGTTTTCGAATCCG BomiPEP 165a Brassica  GGGATCAATGAAAATTATCCTGCCAAATAAAAACGTGTGACGTTTATCC SEQ ID NO: 236 oleracea AAAAATATATGCATTAAATGCTGTGATATGAAGTATTTCCTTTAAAAGCT AGCTAGGGTTTAGGAATTACGAGTTGTGTTTTATTAAAAGCCCTTCTTCT CCTCCGCCACTCATCATTCCCTCATCATAACACCATCATCACCATTCACCC ACCTCTCCTCTTTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTAGAACAACAAGTGAGA ATCTGCTAAAATATTGTGACTATTATCATGAGAATGAAGCTATTTCAGTT GAGGGGAATGTTGTCTGGATCGAGGATATTATATATACACAAGTACGTA TATATGTTAATACAAGTGTTTGATCATATATGTATATAGATTATTCTCGG ACCAGGCTTCATCCCCCCTAACATGTTATTGCCTCTGATCACCAGATTCT ATCAACTCTTCGCTTATTATTTGTCACAAACAAGTAGTAAGCTCAATAAT GTCTTTGAGCCTTTCAGCATCGTTTCATATGTTTTCGAATCCG BrmiPEP 165a Brassica rapa GAGATCAATGAAATTATCCTGCCAAATAAAACGTGTGACGTTTATTCAAA SEQ ID NO: 237 AATATATGCATTAAATGCTTTGATATTAAAATATTTCCTTTTAAAAGCTA GCTAGGGTTTAGGAATGACGAGTTGTGTCTTATTAAAAGCCCTTCTTCTC CTCCGCCACTCATCATTCCCTCATCATAACACCATCATCACCATTCATCCA CCTCTTCTCTCCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCT AGAACAACAAGTGAGAATCTGCTAAAATATTGTGATTATTATCATGAGA ATGAAGCTATTTCAGTTGAGGGGAATGTTGTCTGGATCGAGGATATTATA TATACACAAATATGTATATATATGTTAATATCAGTGTTTGATCATATATA TGTATATAGATTATTCTCGGACCAGGCTTCATCCCCCCTAACATGTTATTG CCTCTGATCACCAGATTCTATCAACTCTTAGCTTATTATTTGTCACAAACA AGTAATAAGCTCAATAATGTCTTTGAGTCTTTCAGCATCGTTTCATATGTT TTCGAATCCG AtmiPEP 166a Arabidopsis  CATCATCACCACTCACTTATCTTCTTCTCCATCTCTCTCTCTGCTTCTCCCT SEQ ID NO: 238 thaliana TAATCTTAGCCGGGTCTCGTGGGGGACGAACATAGAAAGAGAGAGATAT AAAGATATATATTCAGAAACCCTAGATTCTATAATTTCGACTGAAAAGA AAAAGGGGCTTTCTCTTTTGAGGGGACTGTTGTCTGGCTCGAGGACTCTG GCTCGCTCTATTCATGTTGGATCTCTTTCGATCTAACAATCGAATTGAACC TTCAGATTTCAGATTTGATTAGGGTTTTAGCGTCTTCGGACCAGGCTTCAT TCCCCCCAATTGTTGCTCCCTGTTTACTCCATATTTCTTCCTTCTTTTCAAA TTAGGGTTTCAGATCCAGTGAATGAACCCTTGTTAAAGGTTTGATCTCTT ACCTTACTTT AtmiPEP166b Arabidopsis  TCTCATCATTCTCTTCATCATCACCACATTCATCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTC SEQ ID NO: 239 thaliana TCTCTCTCTTTCTCTTCCTTGATCTTAGCCGGATCTGTTGGGGGACGAACA CATGAGAGATAGATAAAATATAAGAAATTTCTCGAAAAAACCTAATAGA AAAAGGTCTGTTTCTTAAAGAAGAAGAAGAAGAGGATTTAAAGAGGGAT TTTTCTTTTGAGGGGACTGTTGTCTGGCTCGAGGACTCTTATTCTAATACA ATCTCATTTGAATACATTCAGATCTGATGATTGATTAGGGTTTTAGTGTC GTCGGACCAGGCTTCATTCCCCCCAA AtmiPEP167a Arabidopsis  TGATGAACAGAAAAATCTCTCTTTCTCTTTCTTGATCTGCTACGGTGAAG SEQ ID NO: 240 thaliana TCTATGGTGCACCGGCATCTGATGAAGCTGCCAGCATGATCTAATTAGCT TTCTTTATCCTTTGTTGTGTTTCATGACGATGGTTAAGAGATCAGTCTCGA TTAGATCATGTTCGCAGTTTCACCCGTTGACTGTCGCACCC AtmiPEP167b1 Arabidopsis  AACCACAAAGTACCGCTGCTATTTTCTTTTTACGTCTTTGTATTTGCATCG SEQ ID NO: 241 AtmiPEP167b2 thaliana TCTAAGAGAATGATGGGTTGTTTTGTGGGATTTTAATGCAGGAGGAAAC ATATGAGGGGTGATTAAGGCAAAAACCTTAAGATGTGGTCATTTAGATA CATGGAGTCAAACTAAGAATGGACCTTGGCGAAAGCTTCTTCACGGTCA AGATTTAAAATCAGGTACGACACTGTGTACGTGAGAGAGAGAGAGAGAG AGAGAAAGAGATTATAGAAAGAAAGAGATGTATCACAATAAAGGAGTA TATTTAGGGTCACAGGTGGTGGAGATATAGGTATGCAGGGCCAAGGCTC TAATCTCTTCATAGCCCTATTGATTTTGTCCCTCTCTCTCTCTCTTTCTTCC TCTCTTAGCTGTATGCATTATGATGCGTCTTTTAATTCACTGTTTCAGGCT TCTTTAATTCGTGGTGTCTCTCTCCTTTTTACCCAACCATCTCTTAAAATTT TTAACATCTGTTCCTCAAATCCTCTCTCATCTCTTTCTATAAGTATCTATA GCGCCTCTTAAACCACAAAGCATCACCTCTGTCTTCTCTCATCTCCTTTCT GTATTCTCTTTCATTGCCTTCACGTCTGTTGCAATTTCTCCACTTCTTGAG CTTCCGTTTTTTACAATTATTGATCCGTCAAATATGTGAGATTTGCACAAC TTGTTGCTCAGGTATTTTGAAGACAAGTCCACAAGGGAACAAGTGAAGC TGCCAGCATGATCTATCTTTGGTTAAGAGATGAATGTGGAAACATATTGC TTAAACCCAAGCTAGGTCATGCTCTGACAGCCTCACTCCTTCCT AtmiPEP169c1 Arabidopsis  GAGCAAGACAATGCCACATACAAACTTGAAAGATCTCTTCATCTTTTCTC SEQ ID NO: 242 AtmiPEP169c2 thaliana CAAATGTTTTTTTTTCGTTTGCTATTTATCTCCACAATTCTTGGAACAAAA ACTACATTCACAAACGAGAGAATTTTCACAACACCTCTTTTGCTCTCATT TTTTTTTTTTCGTCCATTATGAGTATTAATTATGGTTAGGGAATCTTACAG AATGAAAATGAAGGTGTGAATGGATTGTCTCATCTAAAGCCTTGAATGT GGGAAAAAGGCCATTGTTGTTCAGCCAAGGATGACTTGCCGGTAGCTTG TATTATGATTACTCTATATTCGATTTATATTATGGAGATGATGGTTTATAT ATATTTACTTATCTACATAGTTTTAGTTGATTTTTTTTCGTACGTAATATA ATACGAAAAAGTATTTACTTATTTATATATGTGTGTTGGGGCAAGAAGTG TAACCAAGCTAGCCCGGCAAGTCATCTATGGCTATGCAACTGTCTCTTCC TCTCATTCTAGGCTTACGATGACACGTAAAAAATCCCAAATATCACTAAT d Inventor Nation AtmiPEP16911 Arabidopsis  AGGCATGAGACATAAAGAGAGTTAAATATAATGAAGAAGAGAGGTCTA SEQ ID NO: 243 thaliana ATATGGCGAAAAGAGTCATGTTTAATAGCCAAGGATGACTTGCCTGATCT TTTTCACCTCCATGATTCAATTTTAAGTTCGTGGATTTTGGATTATTATGC GTTTAAAAGGTATAATAATTTGAGATCATGTTGAATCTTGCGGGTTAGGT TTCAGGCAGTCTCTTTGGCTATCTTGACATGCTTTCTTCATC AtmiPEP171a1 Arabidopsis  GAATTTTGATTTATGAACCTCCTCAAGAAGGAAAGACAGAGGAGGAGAC SEQ ID NO: 244 thaliana AAAGAAGTATAGGTTCACATTGCATAGCCAGTTTAGTTTTGAAGGATGG ATATATGAAAAAAATATGAAGAGAGAGAAGAGAGAAGAAGAGGAGGAT TAAAGAGGGTGAGGCCAGCTTTTGTGCTTTGGTAGTAGATGAGGTTTAAA TGCTCCATACCTTCCATTTCCTTCTCTCTTACCCTAATTTAATTCTTCCTCT CCTTTATAACTCCCCACAGACATTCTCACTTCTCCTCCTCACACTTCACAT CAACACTTCTTTCTTGTTTTTTCATTTTACAATGTTTCCTTTGATATCCGCA CTTTAAGCATGAGAGAGTCCCTTTGATATTGGCCTGGTTCACTCAGATCT TACCTGACCACACACGTAGATATACATTATTCTCTCTAGATTATCTGATT GAGCCGCGCCAATATCTCAGTACTCTCTCGTCTCTATTTTGGACTTTGTGG TCTTGTAGATCGATTTGTATGTGTGTGTTGAAATGGAGACAAGTACTTGT AACTTCTTTGTTGTTATATTGTTTACCTATAGGCTGATGTCATAAACTCTT TTGATCTTGTTTCTAACTTCCAGATTCTTGAAAAATCAAGTCGTGTGTGTG TCTCCATGGAAGCCTTTTCCATTTCTTCCTTTCCA AtmiPEP171b Arabidopsis  ACTCATAAACTTTGCTACTGGCCGCATTTCTATTTTCTCCTTCGATTCTTC SEQ ID NO: 245 thaliana TAATTCGTACTTTGGTTTCTGACGTCCCTAAAATTTTTAGACAGTAAGAG TTTCTCCAGGATCCGATGGTTCTCTCCGGTAAATTAACATTTTAGTGTCAA TAGTCATTTATACATATTTTTATTTCACTTTTTGTTTTGTTTATTGGTTTTC TGGAGCTAAGTGGAGATTATAGTCGAACAAGAGTGGTTTTATGCAAGGT AACGCGAGATATTAGTGCGGTTCAATCAAATAGTCGTCCTCTTAACTCAT GGAGAACGGTGTTGTTCGATTGAGCCGTGCCAATATCACGCGGTAAACC AAAAATGGCAAAGATAGTTATTATAACCTTAAAGGTATGTATCATTATCG TTTTATTGTTTCAATTTTGATTAATGGCTTTGATATTTCATTTTTTTTTT MtmiPEP171b1 Medicago  ATTGGTCAAACATACATACAGTAGCACTAGCTGGTTTCATTATTCCACTA SEQ ID NO: 246 MtmiPEP171b2 truncatula TGCTTCTTCATAGGCTCTCCAAATTTTGCAAAATTGAAAGAGACATAGTA TATATATCTTAGCAAGGAGAAATTCAGGATATTGAGGATGAAGATTGAA GAGTAATCAGTGATGAAGAAAGCAAGCAAGGTATTGGCGCGCCTCAATT TGAATACATGGCTATAAAAATGCATCATATCAGCCATGTAGTTTGATTGA GCCGCGTCAATATCTTGTTTCCATCTCCAAATTTACCAATCTCATCAAATC AAATTAACACCACAATCAAGGCTTTCATTTAATGCAGTCAAAATAGGTTG ACCTTATCATCGAAGAAATTGTTTTCTCATTCCTATCGAAGTTGGACTTGC CGAAAATGCTCGAAAGCATGTGTTTTAGTTCGACAGGCGAAAAAGTTAC CGAAGGACAATTTGGTTGTGGTTCGGATAAGATCAAGCAACGGATATTTT CAAGACACGTTCGAAATTCAAATCAAATGGATAAGTATCGTTAGTTTACT GCAGTTATAGTTTTAAATTCAAATCTAGGCAGTTGTTTCTATTTGTATAAA TAGTAGTTTTTCCCTAGGGAAAAGGGGTCGCAATTCAATCATACAAAAA ACTTACAATCAAATTATCCGCATGGAAGAGAGAAACGAGTCACAAGTTG CAATGTATGAACATGTGTACCAATTTACATTCAATCAGTACAATTTAAGT TCATTTCCATAAAAAAAAA ZmmiPEP171b Zea mays ACCAGGGTTAGGTATCCATCCACACAGCAATGCATCTGCCTTCAACTCCC SEQ ID NO: 247 TCTCGCCCCCCACCCCAACACACATCTCTCTCTTTTCTAGGGAAGGAAAT GACGAAGGGGACGACGACGGCATGCTTCGGCTAGCTCGTTGGTGCTAGG ACAAGGGCGGAGGTATTGGCGCGCCTCAATCCGAAGGCGTGGCTGATAG ATTGGCGCGGCAGCCATGTTCTTGGATTGAGCCGCGTCAATATCTCCCCT TGCCTGTCCCGTACCTAGCTAGCTTGCTTGCCTCACTGATCGATGTCGTCC CTATTTCATGGAGAAGCTGATGATTGATTATTCTCACAAGCAAGAACTGT CTGATCTGTTGCCTGCATCGATCAGGATCTATATGCTGGAGAGTTCACAA GAACATGGACAGAACTCGCTTCAACAACCGATCAATCGATTGATTAGGT ATGTACCTACCTCATATGCCTCAGCTCTTCGTTATGGATTTCTTCAACCGA AGGGTCAGTAAGCTCTTGGTTCCATGCCACTGCGTGAACTAAGCGTTCAC AAAATCCGTTCCMCGGCATGAACCAAGCACTCAAAATCGCATGCAGCAT CTTTCGTTTCAAAAAAAAATTGACTTYTGAAAACAATAGATGAATCAGTT TCAAACATATATGATTATCCATTTTCTCAACCGGGAATTTATATCTCGTTG GGATGCAAAACCGTTCAGTAGTAAAACTACTCCACGAGTATAAACTGTTT CAGTTATTTTACTATTAATTAGTTACCCGTATGCTGTTATGGTTTCTATAT ATCTATAAGTAAACCTTACTTAAATAAGATAGTTATACAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAA AtmiPEP171c1 Arabidopsis  CAAGAAAAAACATTGAAATAGCTCATGTTGTCTCTTTCTCATTTTCATAT SEQ ID NO: 248 thaliana CTGCTAAAAAAAGAACCGTGTTTTCTAAACTGGTTTAACGGTAAGTACCT GTCTCTAGTAACTTACCTATCAATTTGTTCCAATCATTTACTTGCTTTGAC TTATTTGGTTTCCTTTTGTTTTGTTTTTCTTTAATATGTGGATGGAGTTTGG TGTAATAAGCAACTGAAGAGTCGATGAGCGCACTATCGGACATCAAATA CGAGATATTGGTGCGGTTCAATCAGAAAACCGTACTCTTTTGTTTTAAAG ATCGGTTTATTTGATTGAGCCGTGCCAATATCACGCGTTTAAATAGTTTA AAGATTCTATGTTAGTTGATGTGATCAATCAAGGTATGAATCTATATCAA TTCTCTTATGCATAGTTTTATATTTACAGAGATGAGGTATTATCAATGTCT ATCGTCGAGGATCACGCTCTTACTTATGTTATATTTCTATATAATTTTATT AATTAGTTTTCTAAAAGAGAAGGACAATTTAAAATTATTTTAAAGAGTTT TTTTTAAGTAGTTTTGTTTTCATGTTTATCTTCTGCAGGCTCTGAAGTTAG GATAGTAACAAGAAAAAAGACAGAAAAAAAGAAGAAAATTCATATACA TTCGTGA MtmiPEP171e Medicago  GAATAAGTGAATATTATCGATATTTATATCATATATCAACTTTTCTTCTGT SEQ ID NO: 249 truncatula GCTTGCTTGCAAATTTGCAATTAAGCTTTTTTGATCTTATGTAAGAGAAT ATTATTGATGATGGTGTTTGGGAAGCCGAAAAAAGCGATGTTGGTGAGG TTCAATCCGAAGACGGATTTACATGTATAGAGTTGTAAAATACGATCTCA GATTGAGCCGCGCCAATATCACTTT MtmiPEP171h Medicago  CCACAAAACTATAACTAGCTAGAAGCTTTAATCGCCTTATTTATTATAAT SEQ ID NO: 250 truncatula AATAATAATAAATATGGCTTCAGCTGCAAAAGTATACATGGCGTGATATT GATCCGGCTCATCTATATCTTCAAGTTCAATCATCCATATTCATATCAATT TCAGACGAGCCGAATCAATATCACTCTTGTTTGCTTCATTGCATATTAATT ATATACTTCATTTATAAGTTATAGTTTGCCATATATATATTAGATTGATTC TGCAGAAGTAGACAGGAGTGGTGTTGTTTCTGCTCATCTTATTAAATAAT GAATGAATGAATGACATTTGCTTACTTATAAGACGAGCCGAATCAATATC ACTCCAGTACACCT AtmiPEP172a1 Arabidopsis  CTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCATCTGTGTTCTAGATCTCACCAGGTCTTTCT SEQ ID NO: 251 AtmiPEP172a3 thaliana CTGGTTAATATATGGCTTCCAAGATCTGGTAATATGTTATAAATACGTCA TACTTAAGCTTTTTTCAAATCAAAAATAGAAATTTGTGGGTTTGTCTCGTT TTACTATTTTAGCAGTATATATTAAGAAGTTCAGATGTTATTCGATCATCT GTTTTTGCTTCCCCTCTGCCATCTTTATCTTTTAGGGTTTCAATTCTTTTTC ACTTTTTTCTTCTGGTTTGGAGATGGTTAGGTTCCAACTAAGTATACGAG ATTAAATTTGACATCTTAGTTACTTCAAAATTCCTTCAATCAAAACAAGT CATCTCGACTATTCCGCCATGTTTGTATATACATATTTATATATTATATAT ATGAAGGTACGAGTTTCTAGTGTCTATAAATTAAGAAGGTTAAGTACCAT ATAGATGATATTTGTTAAGTAGTAAGTCACTCAAAGTTTGAGTTTGGGTT TGAGTTTGAGTTTGAGTTTGAGTTTGAGAGACAAAAGATTACTACAAGA AGATTGTTAAACAAAAATGGAAGACTAATTTCCGGAGCCACGGTCGTTG TTGGCTGCTGTGGCATCATCAAGATTCACATCTGTTGATGGACGGTGGTG ATTCACTCTCCACAAAGTTCTCTATGAAAATGAGAATCTTGATGATGCTG CATCGGC AtmiPEP172b1 Arabidopsis  ACTTGCACCTCTCACTCCCTTTCTCTAACTAGTCTTGTGTGCACCCATTTA SEQ ID NO: 252 thaliana TGTGTACGTACTATTATCTCATAAATAAATATTTTTAAAATTAGATGCATT TATTGATATGAAAAAGTTACAAGATTAGTTTGTTGTGTGTGAGACTTTGG ATCGACAGATCGAAAAATTAACTAACCGGTCAGTATTGAATATCAACTA TTATATGCTCCATGCATTCGCTTATAGTTTCACACAATTTGTTTTCTTCAC GGTCTAAAATCAGAAGATTCCATATATTTTCTTATGACGTAAAAGGACCA CTTATAAGTTGACACGTCAGCCCTTGGATTCGTGAGGTTTTTCTCTCTACT TCACCTATCTACTTTTCCTCATATCCCACTGCTTTTCTCCTTCTTGTTCTTG TTTTTCTCGTTTTTTTCTTCTTCTTCTCCAAGAAAATAGAGATCGAAAAGA TTAGATCTATTTTGTGTAGCAAGAAATTATCATTTTCGTTTCTTCATTCAT ATATTGTTCTATTATGTTGTACAATAATAGATACTCGATCTCTTGTGCGTG CGTAAATTTTATACAAGTTGTCGGCGGATCCATGGAAGAAAGCTCATCTG TCGTTGTTTGTAGGCGCAGCACCATTAAGATTCACATGGAAATTGATAAA TACCCTAAATTAGGGTTTTGATATGTATATGAGAATCTTGATGATGCTGC ATCAAC AtmiPEP172c1 Arabidopsis  TCACCAAATAGGCTCTTCTTTATCGCTTCATATATATAAAAGTCTACATCT SEQ ID NO: 253 thaliana ATCTCTTTCTAGGTCACTAGCTAGACTCTAGATTAAGGATTGAAATTAGG GTTTCATGTTTCCAGCAAAATGGTGCCGTCTTGAGTCTTGAAAAGATCCA AGACAAAACCAAATCACTACATACATCCCTATCATCAACCAGCTACTGTT CGCTGTTGGAGCATCATCAAGATTCACAAATCATCAAGTATTCGTGTAAA TAAACCCATTTATGATTAGATTTTTGATGTATGTATGAGAATCTTGATGA TGCTGCAGCTGCAATCAGTGGCT AtmiPEP172e1 Arabidopsis  TGTCATATTGAGAACTCTTTAGCCTTTGGCTTCTGTTCCTGACACTTGTAT SEQ ID NO: 254 AtmiPEP172e2 thaliana AGTGAAGTGGGCTTGTGTTATATAGATGGGATCTCTCTCTTTATTTAAAA AtmiPEP172e3 GTCAATTAGAGATCTTGATGCTACTTCTGTCCCTTTCCAAGTGATTTTACG TCGACCAACTAGCTTTTTTCATATGAGTGTATATATTCATGTACCTATCTC TCTCAATTGCTTCTCACCAAAATCATCTTGCTGATTCATTTGCTGTCTGAA TCCTCTTGCTTTCCTCTTTGCTTTTTCATTTGTTGATTTAAACCATGGGAGT TCCCAACTTTAGACCTCGAAACCGATAAGGATCTTTCTCTGCGGTTGAAA TAGCTAGGTTCTCGATGAATAGGCTAGCCTTTGGTGGATGTTATCAGCCA GTAGTCGCAGATGCAGCACCATTAAGATTCACAAGAGATGTGGTTCCCTT TGCTTTCGCCTCTCGATCCGCAGAAAAGGGTTCCTTATCGAGTGGGAATC TTGATGATGCTGCATCAGCAAATAC AcmiPEP319a1 Arabidopsis TTGTATCCATAGTGTATTTCCTCGCATCTACCATCCATTTTCTACGCCTCT SEQ ID NO: 255 AcmiPEP319a2 cebennensis CTCTCTCTCTTTCTCCATCAAATCTTGTTTTGTTCAAACTCTCTCTCTCATC AATTCTCTCCATACAATACATGCATACATACATACATACCATCTCTAATA TTTCATCAATCTTCTTTTGTTCCAAACGCTCTTTCTCTCCATTTACATACAT ACGAATCATTGTTGTCATAGATCCGTTTAGAATTGCTTTAACTTTTAGATG AGATCTAGGGTTTCTTTCTTTTTCTTCAAAATCATGCTTTTTCGCTTGCTA GGTTATAGATCCATGTAAGTTTAGAGTAGATGTACACACACACGCTCGG ACACTTATTAAATACATGTTGATACACTTAATACTCGCTGTTTTGAATTG ATGTTGTAGGAATATATAAATGTAGAGAGAGCTTCCTTGAGTCCATTCAC AGGTCGGATATGATCCAATTAGCTTCCGACTCATTCATCCAAATACCGAG TCGCCAAAATTCAAATTAGACTCGTTAAATGAATGAATGATGCGGTAGA CAAATTGGATCATTGATTCTCTTTGATTGGACTGAAGGGAGCTCCCTCTC TCTTCTGTATTCC AhmiPEP319a Arabidopsis  TTGTATCCATAGTGTATTTCCTCGCATCTACCATCCATTTTCTACGCCTCA SEQ ID NO: 256 halleri CTCTCTCTTTCTCCATCAAATCTTGTTTTGATCAAACTCTCTCTCTCTCTCT CTCATCAATTGTCTCCATACAATACATACATACCATCATCTTTCCCATCTC TAATATTTCATCAATCTTCTTTTGTTCAAACGCTCTTCCTCTCCATATACA TATACATACATACGAATCACATTGGTGTCATAGATCCGTTTAGAATTGCT TTAACTTTTAGATGAGATCTAGGGTTTCTTTGTTTCTTTCGTTTTCTTCAA ATTTTGCTGCATATTCTCCAAGATCATGATTTTTCGCTTGCTAGGTTATAG ATCCATGCAAATATAGAGTAGATTTACACACACACACGCTCGGACACTT ATTACATACATGTTGATACACTTAATACTCGCTGTTTTTAATTGATGTTGT AGGAATATATATATGTAGAGAGAGCTTCCTTGAGTCCATTCACAGGTCGT GATATGATCCAATTAGCTTCCGACTCATTCATCCAAATACCGAGTCGCCA AAATTCGAACTAGACTCGTTAAATGAATGAATGATGCGGTAGACAAATT GGATCATTGATTCTCTTTGATTGGACTGAAGGGAGCTCCCTCTCTCTTCTG TAT AlmiPEP319a Arabidopsis  TTGTATCCATAGTGTATTTCCTCGCATCTACCATCCATTTTCTACGCCTCT SEQ ID NO: 257 lyrata CTCTTTCTCCATCAAATCTTGTTTTGTTCCAACTCTCTCTCTCATCAATTCA TTCCATACAATACATGCATACATACATACCATCATCATCTTTTCCCATCTC TAATATTTCATCAGTCTTCTTTTGTTACAAACGCTCTTTCTCGCCATATAC ATACATAAGAATCATTGTTGTCATAGATCCGTTTAGAATTGCTTTAACTTT TAGATGAGATCTAGGGTTTCTTTCTTTTTCTTCAATTTTTGCTGCATATTCT TCAAAATCATGATTTTTCGCTTGCTAGGTTATAGATCCATGCAAATATAG AGTAGATGTACACACATTCACGCTCGGACACTTATTACATACATGTTGAT ACACTTAATACTCGCTGTTTTGAATGGATGTTGTAGGAATATATATGTAG AGAGAGCTTCCTTGAGTCCATTCACAGGTCGTGATATGATCCAATTAGCT TCCGACTCATTCATCCAAATACCGAGTCGCCAAAATTCGAACTAGACTCG TTAAATGAATGAATGATGCGGTAGACAAATTGGATCATTGATTCTCTTTG ATTGGACTGAAGGGAGCTCCCTCT AtmiPEP319a1 Arabidopsis  TTGTATCCGCAGTGTATTTCCTCGCATCTACCATCCCTTTTCTACGCCTCT SEQ ID NO: 258 AtmiPEP319a2 thaliana CTCCCTCTCTCTCTTTCTCCATCAAATCTTGTTTTGTTCAAACTCTCTCTCT CTCATCTATTCTCTCCATACAATACATGAATATACATACATACCATCATCT TCTTTTCCCATCTCTAGTTTTTCATCAATCTTCTGATGTTCCAAACGCTCT ATCTCTTCATATACATACATACGAATATATTATTGTTGTCATAGATCCATT TAGAATCACTTTAGCTTTTAGATGAGATCTAGGGTTTCTTTGTTTTCTTTC AAATTTTGTTGCATATTCTTCTAAATCATGGTTTTTCGCTTGCTAGGTTAT AGATCCATGCAAATATGGAGTAGATGTACAAACACACGCTCGGACGCAT ATTACACATGTTCATACACTTAATACTCGCTGTTTTGAATTGATGTTTTAG GAATATATATGTAGAGAGAGCTTCCTTGAGTCCATTCACAGGTCGTGATA TGATTCAATTAGCTTCCGACTCATTCATCCAAATACCGAGTCGCCAAAAT TCAAACTAGACTCGTTAAATGAATGAATGATGCGGTAGACAAATTGGAT CATTGATTCTCTTTGATTGGACTGAAGGGAGCTCCCTCT BrmiPEP319a Brassica rapa TTGTATCCATTGTGTATTTCCTTGCATCCATCAATAAATTTTATGTTACGC SEQ ID NO: 259 CTCTCTATTATTTCTCTCTACATCACACTGTCTTATGTTTAAGCTCTACTTC TCAGCAATTCTCTCCACCCAATACATGCATACATACCATCATCGTATCGC TCTAATTTTTCTATCAATCTTGTATCCTTCCACAAATTATCTTATGTCTCCC ATTTTAAATCCTACATAGATCCACACATACGAATTATTCTTGTCTGAAGA TCCATCCATTTACGATTGCTTTAACTTTTACATGAGATCTAGGGCTTCTTT ATTTTTCTTCAAATCTTGCTGCATATATTTCAAGATCATGCTTTTCGGCTT GCTAGGGTTCTAGATCCATGGATGTATAGCGTACATACATACACGCACTA ATTCATACCTGTAGTTTGTACGGAGAACATCATAAAATATCACTGTTTGG AATTAATCGTGTAGGAAATATAGATAGGTAGGGAGCTTCCTTTAGTCCAT TCACAGATCATGATATGATCCAATTAGCTTCCGACTCATTCATCCAAATA CCGAGTCACGAAAATTTCAACTTAGACTCGTTAAATGAATGAATGATGC GGTAAACAAATTGGATCATTGATTCTCTCTGATTGGACTGAAGGGAGCTC CCTC CpmiPEP319a Carica papaya CTATATCCCTGTCAAATAGTACTTGGTTTTGTTTTAGCCACAAATCTTCTG SEQ ID NO: 260 GTCTTGCAAAGTTCCTTCTGATCTCTCCCCCTTTCTCATTTTTTCCTCCTCT TATATATGGATCATCAATTTGCTGTACACACACACACATTTACTGTAGTG ATAATTAGCTAGCTAATTTGTTAGTATGTAAATTAGATCCCAAGTACCCT GTTATATTTTTTTAGGCTTATCCTATGCATACCTGATAGTACAAGAACTTA GTTTGTAATTAGGTACTTGGTAGTAGGGTTAGATTAATTACTGTCTTGAA AGAGAACTTATCCAACAAATAGAGCTATGAAGATTAAATTAGGTTTTAG TCTTATTAAGATTATTATATTACTAGACAAAAACAGTTAAATTTTTTTAAT TGGGTAATTAGGTACTTAGCAATAGGGTTAGATTAATTACTGTTTTGAAA GAGAACCTACCTACAAATAGAGTTGAAATGATTATGTTTTAGTCTTACTA AGATTGTCATATTTCTGGAAAAAAACAAATCTTGAAACAGATAATTCAG ATAGTCATGATCAATGGAAAAAACATCATGGGTGTGTGCTTAATTAAGCT AATATATATATATATGAAGATATAATGTTATGCACACTAGCTATGAATTT GTAAGAATAATGAAGGATAAAGATGATATATTTAGATGTTATAAGTGTA AGTAAGGTGGAATGGGTTGATGGGTAGTAGTAGTAGTAGTAGAGATGAT TGGTGGAGAGAGCTTCCTTCAGCCCACTCATGGATGGGTATGAAGGGGT AGAAGTAGCTGCCGACTCATTCATTCAGCCACTCAGTATGTAAACTCGTC CCACTGTTGACTGTATGAATGATGCGGGAGATATTTTTACATCCATCTTT CTCTGTGCTTGGACTGAAGGGAGCTCCTTCTT CrmiPEP319a Capsella  TTGTATCCATAGTGTATTTCCTCGCATCTACCATCTACTATTTTCTACGCC SEQ ID NO: 261 rubella TCTCTCTCTTTATCCCTCTATCTCTTTCTTCATCAAATCTTCTTTTGTTCAA AGTCTCTCTCATCATTTTTCTCTATACACATACATGCATCCACATACATAC ATACATATACCATCATCTTCTTTTCTCATCTCTAGTTTTTGTTTATAAATTT TGTTCCAAGGATCTGTATCTCTCCAATAAAGATACATACAAATTATTGTT GTCATAGATCTATTAGAATTGCTTTAACTTTTATATGAGATCTAGGATTTC TTCCTTTTCTTTCAAAATTTGCTGCATATTTTTCAAAATCATGATTTATCG CTTGCTAGGTTCTAGATCCATGCAAATTTAGAGTATTTTTACACACACAC ACGCTTGGACACAAGTACATACATGTAGTTTTCTTTTATGTGGTGAAAAG TACATAACATGTAGTTTATAGTTACTAGTCGCTATATAATTTAAAATTGA TGTTATAGGAATATATGTACGGAGAGAGCTTCCTTGAGTCCATTCACAGG TCGTGATATGATCCAATTAGCTTCCGACTCATTCATCCAAATACCGAGTC TCACCAAAATTGGAACAAGACTTGTTAAATGAATGAATGATGCGGTAGA CAAATTGGATCATTGATTCTCTTTGATTGGACTGAAGGGAGCTCC EgmiPEP319a Eucalyptus  TCGTTTCCCATCCCCATTTCATAGAATAATGCCACCAAACAAAGAAGCAT SEQ ID NO: 262 grandis TAGCTCAAAGACTAATTACCATCTGTTTTATTGATAGATACGTGCGAAAC GGTGATTGTTTTTTCCCAAATAAGAAACCAAAATGAAGCATATTCAAAG GTGGAGATATGGGGAGACTTCCGGAAGGCAAGGGGATTGGAAAAGGCT CGAGATCAAAGTGCATAGCAACCCTTCGCTAAAGGTGAAAAAGAATACG AATAACTTCAGTAGCTCACTTTAAATTCCGAAACATTAAACAAATCAAAT CTCCCTCGCCCTCCTTGCCTCCTCTCTTTACCTATATAAAGCCACCGCCCC TTCAATGAAATCCACGAGTGGAAGGTCACAGTATAGTAGGGTCCTGCAA AGGGAGAGCGAGAGCGGCTCCACTGTCTACCTATAAGCAGTTCCTTTCTT TTGTTTACATGTCTGTTGCACCTCACCGAGTTTTTCTATTCTCTTTCCTCTG GTTGGTTAGCAGATTTCTCAGGGGACTTCCCTCCTCCCTTGAGGATCCTTC TCTTGAAGCGATATGTCTCGAATGGGTAAGAGAGAGAGAGGAAGGGAGC TTTCTTCAGTCCACCCATGGGACGTGTTGGGTTTTAATTAGCTGCCGACTC ATTCATCCAAATACCGAGCGAGAGCAAGTAACAGAGCTCCGTAAATGAA TGGATGATGCGGGAGTCTTGTTGATTCCCAAGCTTTCCGTGATTGGACTG AAGGGAGCTCCCTCTATCT GrmiPEP319a Gossypium  GCGTATCCTTCCACTTACGGATTCACCATAGCTGCTATAGCCCGAGTTTG SEQ ID NO: 263 raimondii CTTGTCATAATAGAAATAAACTAAGGGAGAAAAAAGCTCTCCACTCTCG CCTTTTTCTTCTTCGAGTCTCTCTCTTTGACTGGCCTTTGTGCAAAGATCTT CCTTTTTTAAACAGTCGCTTTCTTTACTCTCCCTTTCCCTTCTTTCTCTTAA TTGCTAAAGCAGCTTCCACTTCCACTCACTTTAACCCATGATCCATTTCAA CCTGTCACAGTGGAGAGCAATTTGTATGGCTAATTTCCATCTCACCTATT CTTTTCTGTTTGGGGTTCTCTAGTCTAGGGTTGCATGACATGAGAGACAT GGCTCTTTTTTTTTTTTTTCAGTTCACAGGTGTTTATATATGTTGTTGTGTT ATTTTGTCTTAAAGCTTTGTGATTGATGATCTGATAGGTAAGAGAGAGCT TTCTTCAGTCCACTCATGGGATGGGGATGGGGTTTAATTAGCTGCCGACT CATTCATCCAAATACTGTGTTACAAAACCCAGTAAATGAGTGAATGATGC GGGAGACAAATTGAATCCTAATCTTCCTGTGCTTGGACTGAAGGGAGCTC CCTCCC MtmiPEP319a Medicago  ATTTATCCAATCATGTTGCTCTCACTTCTTTTCAGCAGTTCTGTTGATATC SEQ ID NO: 264 truncatula ACCCTTTTAGTTGAAGCTTTGGATTCATGACTTTATGAGATGGTAAATCTT TAAATTAAGTTTAAGTATGCACTTGATTTGTTTATATAATTTGTTTATTTA GATTTTAAACCCTAAGTTGACTTTTTTAATTTGATTTAAATTATGATATGA TTGTTATTTGGCTTACCATGGTCATAATTTAGGGTTTAGAAGATGCATGT ATATCTTGAATTGTTTATGGTAATAAAGGGGTTAGGATTTCTCCTTTTGGT GAAGTGAGAAAATCTCATAATTTTGTTCTGAAGGTAGTTTTTAAGATTTA GGGTTATGGGTTCTTTGTTTGAATGCTTTTTCAAGTCTTTTTCAATGATAT TTGCCTAGATCTGTTTTAATTTTGAATTAAAATTCTGGGTTTGGATTAATA TTATTGAAGATTATTATTAATTAATTTATTAGAAATAGATGAAGAGAGCT TCCTTCAGTCCACTCATGGAAGGGTAAGGGGTTTGAATTTACCTGCTGAC TCATTGATTCAAACACAATAGACAATTATGGGGTTATGCTATTGTGAATT GTGTGAATGATGCAGGAGGTGAATTTCTTCCTTTTCTTCTTTGCTTGGACT GAAGGGAGTCTCCCTTT OsmiPEP319a Oryza sativa TTATATCTGACGCGTTGTAATCCTGTTTAATTAGGGCTTTGCCCATTTCTT SEQ ID NO: 265 TTGACCCCTTCCGGACATTCGCTAGTTGGAACCTTGTTTTACTCCTAGCAG TGTACTGTGTAGTACTTATTACGAGCAAACGTAAAAATAAATAAATGGA AATGATACAAAGGCCGTGTTTAATTTTAAAATTTTTTTTCAAACTTTCAAC ACTTTACATCCCATAAAAAGCTTACTATACATACAAACTTCCAACCTTTT CGTCACATCGTATCTAATTTCAACTAAACTTTTAATTTTAGCGTGAACTA AACACAGCCGAAGCCCGGCCACATTCTCACTATTTTTATTCATTTTATCAT GCCTGTGATGTCACGCCTTGGCCCTATTTAATAGGCCTTCTCCATTTCTCT CCATATGATGTCTTCTCTTCTCTATCCCTCTTGCCATCTTCTATCTTCCCTC TTGCACCCATCTTTGTGATAACTTCTACTAGCTCCTCTCCTACTACCAGTC ATACCACTCTCACAAATCCTCCAAGATCCGCATGGGGAGAAGCTCCAAA AGTTTCGTGGTTAGTTTAATTTCATGCTTGTTTGCTGCCGTTTTTCATGTT GATCTGATCTTAATATATGTAGACTGCTGTTAACATATTCTTTTAATTTGA TGGAAGAAGCGATCGATGGATGGAAGAGAGCGATCCTTCAGTCCACTCA TGGGCGGTGCTAGGGTCGAATTAGCTGCCGACTCATTCACCCACAATGCC AAGCAAGAAACGCTTGAGATAGCGAAGCTTAGCAGATGAGTGAATGAA GCGGGAGAGTAACGTTCCGATCTCGCGCCGTCTTTGCTTGGACTGAAGGG TGCTCCCTCCT PpmiPEP319a Physcomitrella  TGGGATCCACACGAGTAATTATTCCCTCTCTCATGCATCACAACTTGGAC SEQ ID NO: 266 patens TTGCCCAGCTTTTACCTCTCTCCATGTTCCACCGTCGGAGATCCTCGGTGC TGCTACCCCCGTTCGGCCAAACCCAACCCAACCCTAGGTGTCTGCCGGAC CTCCGCTTCCCCTCCTGCTTCACCCCCTGCACCGCTTAAATTTGCACCTCG TAGTATTTATCTATGCCCCATTTCAGATGACTTGCATGACACCCATCTGG ATTCGTCTCCAGGCGCCTTGTCGTATCTATTCGCTATCAGTCTTTCTTTCA GTCTGTCTTTCTGCCAAGCACACCGTGCTGGTGGTGGTGCTATCAGTCGA AGCAGTCGCCGAAGGGTCCTTGTATCCAGCCCTCACCGGAGACAGTTCG CTTCGGGGTGGGGAGAACTGTTGAGACCGTCGATGTTGCATGCAGCAGC ACTGGCGAAGGTGCTTCTGATACTGGGTATTCCAGCCTCGCCGCTCGGTG CACTGCAGGTACGTGGTTACATGACACTACTGTGTGGGTAGTCTGGGCAC AAGTAGATCGACATGCCAGATTTGGCCCGTATGCGTGTATGTGCGGTTAT GTTCCCGTTTCGATTGCGGATACCTTGATTGTGGAGCTCCGTTTCGGTCCA ATAGTGGCTGCGACGGAAGGTGGTCCCGCTGCCGAATCACACGTCCGGG TTGCTTATCGGGGCAGGGCCCCGATACGGTATCCGAACGTTTGTCCCGGG AACTGGTCGACCTTCCGCCCGGCGTCTCTTGGACTGAAGGGAGCTCCACT ThmiPEP319a1 Thellungiella TTTTATACAAATAATGTTCGATAACACTAAACCCTAGCCATCCAACTAAT SEQ ID NO: 267 ThmiPEP319a2 halophila AGACAAAACCCTACTTGTAATTTACAACCGCAAATTCCCAGAGAACAGA GTAACTACGAGAGAGAGATGGAGATTCAAATTAAAAAGAAAAACTTATA TATAATGAATACACAAAAGCTACCTAATCTGTATATATATATATATAAAT ATGTCTTCATTAAATTAATGGTCGTGGAATAGAAAAAGGAAAACCTAAT TTGATCGCTAGGGCTTATCAGAGTAAAGATGGTTAACCTTCAAAAGATG ACTAATTAACCGGGGAGATAATTAAAAGATTAAATACGCCAACAGAGAG TTAAGAGATACCAGATTTAAATTCCACAATTTGGTCATGTTCTTCTTCAC GTATTCATGACGATGTCTGAATTATAGAGAAACCCAAAATATAAAATGTT AATTTTACCAGACATTTACATACCAATAACTCTATGACGATATGTAAAGT AAGCAAGGCATGTTTTTATGCAGGGAAGATTGAAAATTCAAGATTAATC AAGAAAATTGGAATACCAAAAAGAGAGGGAGCTCCCTTCAGTCCAATCA GAGAGAATCAATGACCCAATTTGTCTACCGCATCATTCATTCATTTAACA AGTCTAGCTCGAATTCTTGGTGACTCGGTATTTGGATGAATGAGTCGGAA GCTAATTGGATCATATCACGACCTATGAATGGACTCAAGGAAGCTCTCTA CAAATGTATTCCTACCACATCAACCCAAATATAGTGATTACAGATGCTGT TCTCACTGTAGACTACATTTACGTTT AtmiPEP319b1 Arabidopsis  AGACATCTCTTCTTCTCTCATCTCTCTTTTCTTCTCTCTTTTCCTCACATAA SEQ ID NO: 268 thaliana ACTCTCTTTTTTTACTATTAAATCCATATGGTACCTCAAATTAATCTATGG TCATCTAGGGTTATCTTGAAGATTAGAATTGATTCTAGCACGCACAGAGA GGAAGATCATTGCATCCAGAATCACAAACATGGCCTATCTTTTATCTTTT CTTTTTGATCTAAGTCACTGTTTTATGCTATATATAGTATAATCAAATTCT TTACATGTGCTTGTATGTATGCGTATATATAGTAACGGAATTGTTAATAT GCTTATAGATGTTGAGTTGGTGGAGGAAGAGAGCTTTCTTCGGTCCACTC ATGGAGTAATATGTGAGATTTAATTGACTCTCGACTCATTCATCCAAATA CCAAATGAAAGAATTTGTTCTCATATGGTAAATGAATGAATGATGCGAG AGACAAATTGAGTCTTCACTTCTCTATGCTTGGACTGAAGGGAGCTCCCT AtmiPEP394a1 Arabidopsis  TCTTATTCCATCACAATCATCTAGGGTTTTAAGCCAAGCTTATATAGCCC SEQ ID NO: 269 thaliana GTCATAAAGAGAACTCATCTGCCTCTCTCTCAATACCAATAAATATCACC ACCGTCCTTCTCTCCTATCACTATTCAATCTATCGCAAACTCCTTTATGTC TCTCCAATTTTATGAGAGGGTTTCCTTCAAGAACACAGTAAAATAGATTG GATCTTTAAACTTTTGTTCCTTTTCATGAGGGTTTGACAAAGATTTTCTTA CAGTCATCTTTGGCATTCTGTCCACCTCCTTCTATACATATATGCATGTGT ATATATATATGCGTTTCGTGTGAAAGAAGGAGGTGGGTATACTGCCAAT AGAGATCTGTTAG AtmiPEP395c1 Arabidopsis  TTGTATCATGACAGAGCAAGAAGAAGAAAGTCAAATGTCCACATGAGTT SEQ ID NO: 270 thaliana CCCTTTAACGCTTCATTGTTGAATACTCAAAGCCACATTGGTTTGTATATA ACACTGAAGTGTTTGGGGGGACTCTTGGTGTCAT AtmiPEP395e1 Arabidopsis  TTTCAAACCCTAACACTCTTATAAACCGATTCGCCAAAATGTATCTACAA SEQ ID NO: 271 thaliana TATATTGATAATGTAATATCTATATATTCAAACAATCGTCGTGTTGGTCG GATGTTTTCTAGAGTTCCTCTGAGCACTTCATTGGAGATACAATTTTTTAT AAAATAGTTTTCTACTGAAGTGTTTGGGGGAACTCCCGGGCTGATTCGGT ATTTTAAATTCAGTAGACTAGCTAGCTG AtmiPEP397b1 Arabidopsis  TGGTAATAGAAATGAGCAAGGAGATATTTTTTTCCCCTGGGTTTGAATGA SEQ ID NO: 272 thaliana ACATCATTGAGTGCATCGTTGATGTAATTTTACTTATTTTATTCCATTGTT GAATTAATTAAAGAAGTATATATCAGCGTTGCATTCAATTATGTTTTTCT AATTTTCAGGAAATACAAAAAAAATGAAAAAAAAAAATCACTTAAAAG ACCTTGAGAGTTCTTTTGACT AtmiPEP398c1 Arabidopsis  GGATATCGAAACTCAAACTGTAACAGTCCTTTTATTACTGGTTTAGAAGA SEQ ID NO: 273 thaliana TAGATAAATATTGTTAAGGTAGTGGATCTCGACAGGGTTGATATGAGAA CACACGAGCAATCAACGGCTATAACGACGCTACGTCATTGTTACAGCTCT CGTTTCATGTGTTCTCAGGTCACCCCTGCTGAGCTCTTTCTCTACCGTCCA TGTTTTATCAACGCCGTGGCCCGTG AtmiPEP399b Arabidopsis  TCTTATAGAGATGAAGAGAAACATGTAAACTCACTAGTTTTAGGGCGCCT SEQ ID NO: 274 thaliana CTCCATTGGCAGGTCCTTTACTTCCAAATATACACATACATATATGAATA TCGAAAATTTCCGATGATCGATTTATAAATGACCTGCCAAAGGAGAGTTG CCCTGAAACTGGTTC AtmiPEP399d1 Arabidopsis  CAATAACTCAAAATGCAATGTGAAATATGAAGAATATATTAAATAGTAG SEQ ID NO: 275 thaliana TGAAGATGCATGTTTATGAAGACAGAGAGATAATGTATGGTTGGATTAC TGGGCGAATACTCCTATGGCAGATCGCATTGGCTAGATATGCAAGTAAA ATGCTTCTCTGCCAAAGGAGATTTGCCCCGCAATTCATCC AtmiPEP403 Arabidopsis  ATTTAGGTCTCTCTTCTTCTTCTTCTTTTTCTTCTTGAGCGCCGGCGAAAA SEQ ID NO: 276 thaliana AAGTCTCTGTGAGAAAAAGATACGACGATTGTCATTAGAAGAGTCGTAT TACATGTTTTGTGCTTGAATCTAATTCAACAGGCTTTATGTAAGAGATTCT TTAACAATTCCTATAATCTTTGTTGTTGGATTAGATTCACGCACAAACTC GTAATCTGTCTTTTCGATTTTTACCAGATCTGTC AtmiPEP447a1 Arabidopsis  AATTATATCCATGGTCATGGCTCATCATTAGTCGCACTGCTCTCCTTTTCT SEQ ID NO: 277 AtmiPEP447a2 thaliana CAAAGTTTAAATTCGACATTTGGTAAAATGATGAAACCTCGATGGAACT GCTCTCTTTATGGAATCACGGAATGGACAAATAATCAAAATCAGAAATC GAAGCGAAAAGGGAGGAGAAAAACGCAGATTTGGAGGATTGGGGACAG ATTAGATACTGTTGAATGCATCACTCTAATGCTATCAGCCTATTAATAGC GTCCTATATTTTCGAAGACTTTTAATGTTTAGGGTTATGGATTTTTCGAGC GAAGCATGGAGAGATGTTGAATTGGATACTATAGGATTTGGTACAACAC ATACATATGTTCTGCTTCTGCAAAACTAACATATCAAGTTCAGAGAAACC AGTAAGTCGTTGAATATTTTATTATCCATTCAACGCTTTCTTCTTTTGGAT CATGTCTTGTTTGCTTGACCACTTCTTCTTGCTTAAGAGGATGGACAATAT ATAAAAACTGGAGCCTTCTTTTTCTATGAATGCTTATCATCGCGGAGTTG ATCTGTTCAATTCACCTGCCATTGGATGCTTTTTTTATATATACTTCACTG TTCAATTTCAGATGCTTTAGAAGGTTTGCGGAGTAGCTAGAGAATCTGGT ATCTTCAGTTCTTCAATTTCAGCTACTTGGTATCAGCTTCGTCATTGTATA TCAACACATTCTTAATATATAATACTACTTTTTCATCCATTAAACCCCTTA CAATGTCGAGTAAACGAAGCATCTGTCCCCTGGTATTGTCTTCGAGCTTG GTGTTTTTTTCTAGCCAACTCCAAGTTCTCGAGTTGATCATTGTTTGTATT CTTGAGACATTATTTGGGGACGAGATGTTTTGTTGACTCGATATAAGAAG GGGCTTTATGGAAGAAATTGTAGTATTATATATCGAGAGTG AtmiPEP447b1 Arabidopsis  CTATAAATGCTGCTTATCATCGTGGAGTTGGTTCTGTAAACATTTGAAAA SEQ ID NO: 278 AtmiPEP447b2 thaliana TTCTGAACAGTTTCACCTGCCATTGGATGCTTTGTTTCAATTTCAGGTGCG TTAGAAGGTTTGCAGAGTAGCTAGAGAATCTCGTATCTTCACTTTCTGCT ACTTGGTATCAGCTTCGTCACTTTATATCAACACATTCTTAATATACAATA CTACTTTTTCATCCATTAATCCCCTTACAATGTCGAGTAAACGAAGCATC TGTCCCCTGGTATTGTCTTCGAGCTTGGTGTGTTTTTCTAGCCAGCCCCAA GTTCTCGAGTTGATCATTGTTTGTATTCTGACACATTATTTGGGGACGAG ATGTTTTGTTGACTCGATATAAGAAGGGGCTTTATGGAAGAAATTGTAGT ATTATATATTGAGAATG AtmiPEP447c Arabidopsis  TAGTATAACCGCTGATGTACACCTACCAGCTTGATAACTCTTTTTCGTGG SEQ ID NO: 279 thaliana TTTCTGTGTACTCGTTTCTGTTTGTACAGATACTTCTTGTTCAATTTCAGA TGCTTTAGAAGGTTTTCGGAGTGGCTAGAGATCTGTTATCTGTATGAACA GCTACTTGGTATCAGCTTCGTCATTTTATCAACACATTCTTAATATACAAT ACTTCTTTTTCATGCATTAAGCCCCTTACAATGTCGAGTAAACAAAGCAT GTGTCCGCTAATATTGTCTTCGAGCTTGGTATTTTTGTATTCTGATACGGT ATTTGGGGACGACATCTTTTGTTGACTCGATATAAGAAGGGGGTTTGTGG AAGAAATTGTAGTATTATATATCAAGAATG DmmiPEP1a Drosophila TTTGTGGAACACATTCGACCCACTGAAAAATTGATATAATTTAATGAAAG SEQ ID NO: 280 DmmiPEP1b melanogaster TGCATAAAAATGGTGGACAGTGCATTAAACTGAGCATTGAACACAAAGG CCGCTCAGCAAATTGCTAATTAAAATTCACGATTGCCATTTCACCTGACA CGTTGACGATTTTCATTACAATTCGATTATGTTTCGTTGCAGGGAATTTTA AATGTTAATTGCCAAGAATGTTTCAACAAATTCATTTCTCATTAATGTGT CTTTTCATTTAATTTTATGTTGTATGAGCTGCACGAGAAATGAGTTGTACT TTTAGTTCGACGGCAGAGTCATGAATGTTCGGCAAAGAATGTAATAATA ACTATCCTCTTTAGACAAATATAGATACAAATCTATCAGATTCTAAAAGT AGAATAATCAATTAATCAGAAAGCTAAAAATAAATAGGCATATTTATAT TTTAATGCGGATTTTTGAAGTTCAACGGGAGAAATGAATCCTTTTTACCA GCCACAGGCGCAATTTGCAACAGAAAGTGTAGCAGAAGTACTCCTCGAA TATTTCCCTGCTCCAGGAGTCATCCATGTGGTTTCGAGGCACACATTTGA CAAACTCATGCCCCGCTATTTGTTGTAAAAACACAATCGCACACATGGCC GCATTTCGGCGACTTCCAGAGAGCGGTACACTTAAGGCGGCCTGGGAAA CGCCTGCAATCTGCTGGTCGCGAACTGCAGATTGCATCCATGTGCCAGGC GACCATGCGACCATGTGACCATGTGCCCGCCCGACGCCTCGCAGCCCAC ATCCTGCCCATCGAGGGCACAACTCAGCGTGGGTATTGCCGCTCCGGCTG CTTCAAGTAGGTAAAAACCGAGAAGATTGAGGATGAATGTATGAGTATG AGAAAATACTCGGCGGAACATATGCTGCCGGGCTTGACCTGACCCTGCC TCATGTGTGGGTCTCCGATTTAATTTTAGGCACCTATATAAACGCGTGTTT ACACTGCAGCCAGAACACAGTCGCCGTCTTCAGTTCGCGCCGTCAACTCC TCGATCGATCGATCGCATCGTCTCGGATCGAATAGAGCTGGGCTTCTGCT CCGGAGCTACATCGCCGTACTTGTCGGACGAGTGTGGTGATGAAAAGTC GCTTAGTCCGGGATTCCTGCCAGATCTCTAAGGGATGAGCTGGCATCCCA GGCTGGCCATGTGGCGCGAAGTATGCGCACAAAAAAGTCAAACAAAAA GGCGCAATTTTATTACGGGCAACCAACGACGAAACAAAACAAAAGCCAA CCGAAAAGCAGAAACAAAGCAGCAAAAAGTTTATGAATTTTTTGTGCAG GCGCGTGAAAGATGCAAAACGAGAAAAAAACATGAAAAAAAAACATTA AAAAAAACAAAAAAAATCCAAAACAGATACCGAGCTGTATCCGAAAAC GAGTGGGGAAAGGGGTTTCCCAGTCACATATAAACACACTTCAGTGCGC TTAAAAATTGCTTTATTGCAGTTGGACTATAAAAACGCACGGCAGCGAA CACCGCACAACAAAAAGGACGAGCAGAAGTGGGCAAATAAAACGAAAG CTCTTAAACGAAAAACAGGAAAATTTGCATGCCACAAAAATAAGCATAA GGATTTGCCGCGCACAAAGTAGAAGCAAAAAGGAATTGCCCAAATGCAG CCACAAAAGACTGTGGCAAATGTTTTGCAGCTTGCCCCTTTTTCCCTGCA ATTACCGTCAGTCGTTGTCATTATTCAGCAGATTATATGGTTTTGCTTATT CCGGACCACCATCATCATCATCATTATCATCATCTTCGGTAAGTTAGACA ATCCCATAAAAAACTGTCCAAGTGAGTAGTGCCACCAAAAGTTAGCCGC GTTGTGGAAAATCCAAAACAAAGACCATCCCATATTCAGCCTTTGAGAG TTCCATGCTTCCTTGCATTCAATAGTTATATTCAAGCATATGGAATGTAA AGAAGTATGGAGCGAAATCTGGCGAGACATCGGAGTTGAAACTAAAACT GAAATTTGATTGAAACAGAAGTAGAACCGTAATGAAATGAATGAAATAT TAACCCGTTTCTACAATCCCTGAATAAAATTATTAATTAATTATAGAGCG GGCTAATTTTACAATATATATTGATTTTTTTTTGAAG DmmiPEP8 Drosophila ATTCTTTTTTGGTGCTCGATCGTGACGGTTTGCTCGCGCTCTCCGCTGCGC SEQ ID NO: 281 melanogaster CGCTCTTTCCGTTGCATATGTGTGCGGGCGTTATTGTGCATGTTTCCGGTG GCCGAAAAAAAATAGTAAAATAAAATATAGAAAACAGAAACCAAGAAT AATAACAGCCATACGATAAACAGTGTGCCAATGTGTGTGTCTGTGTGTGT GTGCATCTCGCGTAACAACAATAATTGCATTTATCGGATGGCGCCAGCTT CAATTTAATTATAAATAACATGTTCAACTTTTTATACTATTTTCCCTGCGT CAAAGTGGGCGTTGCAACTGCCCCCGGAAAATCACGCGCCCCGGTTCAA AGTTAAAGTTTGCTGGGTAACGCACACACACACACACACAATCACTCAC ACGCGGTCACACGCACATTTCAATAAACTAATG'GAGCCTGGCTTTGTTTT TGTTTTATTTCCAACCCACTTGAGCACACAGCACACACAGAGAGAAAAA TCAATACTCGTTATGGGATTAAATTTACAAAGCGCAAAGCAAAGCGACA AACAAAATTCAAAAGAAAGAAAAAAAAACACTCAAATAAACTCACAAA GAATTCCTTATCGCCAAGGGGGCCAATGTTCTAAGGTTCTTTCGCCTTGA GAACTTTGAGCTTCCTCTGGCAAAGGAGATTATAATGTACAAATAATGTT GCAATAACCAGTTGAAACCAATGGAATACCGAATCTTGCTAATTAGCAA GGACATCTGTTCACATCTTACCGGGCAGCATTAGATCCTTTTTATAACTCT AATACTGTCAGGTAAAGATGTCGTCCGTGTCCTTAACCTTCAGTACCACC AACAGCAGCAGCAGCACCAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATGCGTAAAAAT CCAAACAAATCATAAAAGTCGAAGGA HsmiPEP155 Homo sapiens GCCGAGCCCGGGCCCAGCGCCGCCTGCAGCCTCGGGAAGGGAGCGGATA SEQ ID NO: 357 GCGGAGCCCCGAGCCGCCCGCAGAGCAAGCGCGGGGAACCAAGGAGAC GCTCCTGGCACTGCAGATAACTTGTCTGCATTTCAAGAACAACCTACCAG AGACCTTACCTGTCACCTTGGCTCTCCCACCCAATGGAGATGGCTCTAAT GGTGGCACAAACCAGGAAGGGGAAATCTGTGGTTTAAATTCTTTATGCCT CATCCTCTGAGTGCTGAAGGCTTGCTGTAGGCTGTATGCTGTTAATGCTA ATCGTGATAGGGGTTTTTGCCTCCAACTGACTCCTACATATTAGCATTAA CAGTGTATGATGCCTGTTACTAGCATTCACATGGAACAAATTGCTGCCGT GGGAGGATGACAAAGAAGCATGAGTCACCCTGCTGGATAAACTTAGACT TCAGGCTTTATCATTTTTCAATCTGTTAATCATAATCTGGTCACTGGGATG TTCAACCTTAAACTAAGTTTTGAAAGTAAGGTTATTTAAAAGATTTATCA GTAGTATCCTAAATGCAAACATTTTCATTTAAATGTCAAGCCCATGTTTG TTTTTATCATTAACAGAAAATATATTCATGTCATTCTTAATTGCAGGTTTT GGCTTGTTCATTATAATGTTCATAAACACCTTTGATTCAACTGTTAGAAA TGTGGGCTAAACACAAATTTCTATAATATTTTTGTAGTTAAAAATTAGAA GGACTACTAACCTCCAGTTATATCATGGATTGTCTGGCAACGTTTTTTAA AAGATTTAGAAACTGGTACTTTCCCCCAGGTAACGATTTTCTGTTCAGGC AACTTCAGTTTAAAATTAATACTTTTATTTGACTCTTAAAGGGAAACTGA AAGGCTATGAAGCTGAATTTTTTTAATGAAATATTTTTAACAGTTAGCAG GGTAAATAACATCTGACAGCTAATGAGATATTTTTTCCATACAAGATAAA AAGATTTAATCAAAAAATTTCATATTTGAAATGAAGTCCCAAATCTAGGT TCAAGTTCAATAGCTTAGCCACATAATACGGTTGTGCGAGCAGAGAATCT ACCTTTCCACTTCTAAGCCTGTTTCTTCCTCCATATGGGGATAATACTTTA CAAGGTTGTTGTGAGGCTTAGATGAGATAGAGAATTATTCCATAAGATA ATCAAGTGCTACATTAATGTTATAGTTAGATTAATCCAAGAACTAGTCAC CCTACTTTATTAGAGAAGAGAAAAGCTAATGATTTGATTTGCAGAATATT TAAGGTTTGGATTTCTATGCAGTTTTTCTAAATAACCATCACTTACAAAT ATGTAACCAAACGTAATTGTTAGTATATTTAATGTAAACTTGTTTTAACA ACTCTTCTCAACATTTTGTCCAGGTTATTCACTGTAACCAAATAAATCTCA TGAGTCTTTAGTTGATTTAAAATAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AA AtmiPEP157c Arabidopsis  CTTTGTCACTTCATACACTCCCTATTGTCTATATATATATATATACTTACA SEQ ID NO: 400 thaliana CATATTCAAACATTATAATACTTAATTACACATACATACTTTATGATGTT GCATATCACACATAGGTTTGAGAGTGATGTTGGTTGTTGACAGAAGATA GAGAGCACTAAGGATGACATGCAAGTACATACATATATATCATCACACC GCATGTGGATGATAAAATATGTATAACAAATTCAAAGAAAGAGAGGGAG AGAAAGAGAGAGAACCTGCATCTCTACTCTTTTGTGCTCTCTATACTTCT GTCACCACCTTTATCTCTTCTTCTCTCTAACCT AtmiPEP157d Arabidopsis  ATTTACTCTTCACCGCCCTCTCTCTATATATAGTCTCTATCCTCACATATT SEQ ID NO: 401 thaliana ATATATCAAACCGCAAGAATGCTGTATGTATAGTGGAGGGTGATAGTGT GGTTGCTGACAGAAGATAGAGAGCACTAAGGATGCTATGCAAAACAGAC ACAGATATGTGTTTCTAATTGTATTTCATACTTTAACCTCAAAGTTGATAT AAAAAAAGAAAGAAAGATAGAAGAGCTAGAAGACTATCTGCATCTCTAT TCCTATGTGCTCTCTATGCTTCTGTCATCACCTTTCTTTCTCTATTTCTCTC TAC AtmiPEP160c Arabidopsis  AACCAAAACTCTTCAACATTTCTCTCTGACTACTTCATTTCCTCTTCCCAA SEQ ID NO: 402 thaliana CAGTTAAAAAAAGTTCTGATTCGATTCAAGCCAAGATCCACGTATAAAG ATATGTTCATGCGTAGAGGTTTGGTATACAACAATATATACATATAATAG TTTGTCGTTATGCCTGGCTCCCTGTATGCCACGAGTGGATACCGATTTTG GTTTTAAAATCGGCTGCCGGTGGCGTACAAGGAGTCAAGCATGAC AtmiPEP164b Arabidopsis  ATACATTCTCTCTTTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCATCCCGGCCCAGTTATGT SEQ ID NO: 403 thaliana GGTCGGAGAGAATGATGAAGGTGTGTGATGAGCAAGATGGAGAAGCAG GGCACGTGCATTACTAGCTCATATATACACTCTCACCACAAATGCGTGTA TATATGCGGAATTTTGTGATATAGATGTGTGTGTGTGTTGAGTGTGATGA TATGGATGAGTTAGTTCTTCATGTGCCCATCTTCACCATC AtmiPEP166c Arabidopsis  TCACACATACCTTTCTTTCTCTTCTTCTTCTTACGAAAAGTTTCATCACAT SEQ ID NO: 404 thaliana TCACATTATCTTTAACTTTGGTCTCTTTTCTTTTTTGTCTCTTTTCTCTTCTT GATAACGTGGTTCTAGTCTTGATTAATTCATTGTTGTGCGATTTAGTGTTG AGAGGATTGTTGTCTGGCTCGAGGTCATGAAGAAGAGAATCACTCGAAT TAATTTGGAAGAACAAATTAAGAAAACCCTAGATGATTCTCGGACCAGG CTTCATTCCCCCTAACCTACTTATCGC AtmiPEP166d Arabidopsis  ATTTAGCTTCTTCTTCTTCTTCTTCTTCTGTCTACTTACATAAAGTTATCCTt SEQ ID NO: 405 thaliana GCTTTGGTTTAGGGTTGAGAGGAATATTGTCTGGCTCGAGGTCATGAAGA AGATCGGTAGtATTGATTCATTTTAAAGAGTGAAATCCCTAAATGATTCTC GGACCAGGCTTCATTCCCCCCAACC AtmiPEP169a Arabidopsis  TAGTATTCATAAGCACCAAAACAAATATGTAGAGATCTCCTCTTCCATTC SEQ ID NO: 406 thaliana TCTATTGTTACTTTCGAGAAGAAACATACAAAACACATACATTTTTCTTTT GTTTGTGGTTTTCATATATACAAGTGGGTATAGCTAGTGAAACGCGAATG TGACGAAAGTAGTGTGCAGCCAAGGATGACTTGCCGATTTAAATGATCTT TCTTTATACTCTATTAAGACAATTTAGTTTCAAACTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT TTTGAAGGATTCAGGAAGAAATTAGGATATATTATTCCGTATAAAATACA AGATATATAAAACCAAAAAGAAAAAGTAACATGATCGGCAAGTTGTCCT TGGCTACACGTTACTTTGTGTCGC AtmiPEP169h1 Arabidopsis  ACTCATCAACAACCTCTTCATAAATACATAAATCATATAAGAGAAAATG SEQ ID NO: 407 AtmiPEP169h2 thaliana GTGACATGAAGAATGAGAACTTGTGTGG AtmiPEP169n Arabidopsis  AGGCAAAAACATATAGAGAGTAATGAAGTGTATGATGAAGAAGAGAGG SEQ ID NO: 408 thaliana TCTAACATGGCGGAAAGCGTCATGTTTAGTAGCCAAGGATGACTTGCCTG ATCTTTTTCGCCTCCACGATTCAATTTCAAATTCATGCATTTTGGATTATT ATACCTTTTAAAGTATAATAGGTCAAATATCATGTTGAATCTTGCGGGTT AGGTTTCAGGCAGTCTCTTTGGCTATCTTGACATGCTTTTTCCATCCAT AtmiPEP170 Arabidopsis  ATTCACTCCCTTCTTCTTCTTAATCTCCTTACAGTTACAGACATTCTCTCA SEQ ID NO: 409 thaliana CTTGCGTTCTTGTTTCTTTTACAAAACAGATACACTATGTTTCCGAGAGA GTCCCTCTGATATTGGCCTGGTTCACTCAGATTCTCTTTTACTAACTCATC TGATTGAGCCGTGTCAATATCTCAGTCCTCTCTCG AtmiPEP396a Arabidopsis  TCTCACAACTTCAACTTCCCTCTTTCTCTATATTACGCTTTTGCCCCTCACT SEQ ID NO: 410 thaliana CCCTCTTTCCACAATTAGGGTTTCGTCTGCTCTACATGACCCTCTCTGTAT TCTTCCACAGCTTTCTTGAACTGCAAAACTTCTTCAGATTTTTTTTTTTTTC TTTTGATATCTCTTACGCATAAAATAGTGATTTTCTTCATATCTCTGCTCG ATTGATTTGCGGTTCAATAAAGCTGTGGGAAGATACAGAC AtmiPEP399c Arabidopsis  GAATAACCAACCAGCCTTCTCTCAAAGCAAACCAAAAAGAAAAACCAAC SEQ ID NO: 411 thaliana ATTGAAAGAGGAAGTTACGATAAGCGGAGCAGTAATAGGGCATCTTTCT ATTGGCAGGCGACTTGGCTATTTGTATCTTTTGTGTTCTTGACTATTGGCT ATGTCACTTGCCAAAGGAGAGTTGCCCTGTCACTGCTTCCGCTTAAACAC AGTCTATAACCGGTTCTGCTAATATCAATCCTTCTTTTGGACATGTCCAA AGCCGAGATTGATTGATAGAGAATTGGTCTCTCTGGCTACAAAACTAGTG CGGTTCTCTCGATTTAAGTTTTAATAGCATTCACTTTGCACATTGCATCTT TCACATCAAATTTCCATTTCATCAACCATCTAAACCTCTTTGTTAGCTTTG ATATAAGCAACGATCTAAAGTCTAAAAACCATTAATCCTCTGAAAAAAA AGACAATTTCGATGGTTCTATTATGTTTCTCCAATGCAGAAATTGTATCG TCTGAATTATAGTAGATTTTTTCTAGACTAAAGTGTAAACCAAGACGAAT CTGCACTAACAAGACACACCAATAGACTTTACAGAGAAAGGTTACGAGT TTTGAAAATATTAACGGACCATAGTCATCGCG MtmiPEP169d Medicago  TGGATAAGTTAATTTATGGTCAAAGAGTCTTTCATGGAGAGGTTGAAAGT SEQ ID NO: 426 truncatula GAGATGAAGCCAAGGATGACTTGCCGGTATAATAGTAATTTGCCACAAA TCTAGATAGCTATTAGCTATGTTTGGATGGGCGGTGAGATTAACAAAATT ACAGCAGCATTGTGATTTTGTTGATGCTTTAAAGTGTAGTTTTTATCAAA ATTACAGTGGTTCACTGTAATTATGAGAATCTCACCGTCAATCTAAATAT GCATTTAGTTTCATTTCCGGCAGGTCATCCTTCGGCTATATT

TABLE 4 List of the microRNAs (miRNAs) miPEP Organism Sequence of the miRNA SEQ ID AtmiPEP156a1 Arabidopsis thaliana ugacagaagagagugagcac SEQ ID NO: 282 AtmiPEP156a2 AtmiPEP156a3 AtmiPEP156c1 Arabidopsis thaliana ugacagaagagagugagcac SEQ ID NO: 283 AtmiPEP156c2 AtmiPEP156e1 Arabidopsis thaliana ugacagaagagagugagcac SEQ ID NO: 284 AtmiPEP156f1 Arabidopsis thaliana ugacagaagagagugagcac SEQ ID NO: 285 AtmiPEP159a Arabidopsis lyrata uuuggauugaagggagcucua SEQ ID NO: 286 AtmiPEP159a1 Arabidopsis thaliana uuuggauugaagggagcucua SEQ ID NO: 287 CrmiPEP159a Capsella rubella uuuggauugaagggagcucua SEQ ID NO: 288 AtmiPEP159b1 Arabidopsis thaliana uuuggauugaagggagcucuu SEQ ID NO: 289 AtmiPEP159b2 AtmiPEP160a1 Arabidopsis thaliana ugccuggcucccuguaugcca SEQ ID NO: 290 AtmiPEP160b1 Arabidopsis thaliana ugccuggcucccuguaugcca SEQ ID NO: 291 AtmiPEP160b2 AtmiPEP161 Arabidopsis thaliana ucaaugcauugaaagugacua SEQ ID NO: 292 AtmiPEP162a1 Arabidopsis thaliana ucgauaaaccucugcauccag SEQ ID NO: 293 AtmiPEP162b1 Arabidopsis thaliana ucgauaaaccucugcauccag SEQ ID NO: 294 AtmiPEP163-1 Arabidopsis thaliana uugaagaggacuuggaacuucgau SEQ ID NO: 295 AtmiPEP163-2 AtmiPEP164a1 Arabidopsis lyrata uggagaagcagggcacgugca SEQ ID NO: 296 AtmiPEP164a2 AtmiPEP164a3 AtmiPEP164a1 Arabidopsis thaliana uggagaagcagggcacgugca SEQ ID NO: 297 AtmiPEP164a2 AtmiPEP164a3 BrmiPEP164a1 Brassica rapa uggagaagcagggcacgugca SEQ ID NO: 298 BrmiPEP164a2  BrmiPEP164a3 CpmiPEP164a1 Carica papaya uggagaagcagggcacgugca SEQ ID NO: 299 CpmiPEP164a2 CrniPEP164a1 Capsella rubella uggagaagcagggcacgugca SEQ ID NO: 300 CrmiPEP164a2  CrmiPEP164a3 GrmiPEP164a1 Gossypium raimondii uggagaagcagggcacgugca SEQ ID NO: 301 GrmiPEP164a2  GrmiPEP164a3 MtmiPEP164a1 Medicago truncatula uggagaagcagggcacgugca SEQ ID NO: 302 MtmiPEP164a2 OsmiPEP164a1 Oryza sativa uggagaagcaggguacgugca SEQ ID NO: 303 OsmiPEPl64a2 AlmiPEP165a Arabidopsis lyrata ucggaccaggcuucauccccc SEQ ID NO: 304 AtmiPEP165a Arabidopsis thaliana ucggaccaggcuucauccccc SEQ ID NO: 305 BcmiPEP165a Brassica carinata ucggaccaggcuucauccccc SEQ ID NO: 306 BjmiPEP165a Brassica juncea ucggaccaggcuucauccccc SEQ ID NO: 307 BnmiPEP165a Brassica napus ucggaccaggcuucauccccc SEQ ID NO: 308 BomiPEP165a Brassica oleracea ucggaccaggcuucauccccc SEQ ID NO: 309 BrmiPEP165a Brassica rapa ucggaccaggcuucauccccc SEQ ID NO: 310 AtmiPEP166a Arabidopsis thaliana ucggaccaggcuucauucccc SEQ ID NO: 311 AtmiPEP166b Arabidopsis thaliana ucggaccaggcuucauucccc SEQ ID NO: 312 AtmiPEP167a Arabidopsis thaliana ugaagcugccagcaugaucua SEQ ID NO: 313 AtmiPEP167b1 Arabidopsis thaliana ugaagcugccagcaugaucua SEQ ID NO: 314 AtmiPEP167b2 AtmiPEP169c1 Arabidopsis thaliana cagccaaggaugacuugccgg SEQ ID NO: 315 AtmiPEP169c2 AtmiPEP16911 Arabidopsis thaliana uagccaaggaugacuugccug SEQ ID NO: 316 AtmiPEP171a1 Arahidopsis thaliana ugauugagccgcgccaauauc SEQ ID NO: 317 AtmiPEP171b Arabidopsis thaliana uugagccgugccaauaucacg SEQ ID NO: 318 MtmiPEP171b1 Medicago truncatula ugauugagccgcgucaauauc SEQ ID NO: 319 MtmiPEP171b2 ZmmiPEP171b Zea mays ggauugagccgcgucaauauc SEQ ID NO: 320 AtmiPEP171c1 Arabidopsis thaliana uugagccgugccaauaucacg SEQ ID NO: 321 MtmiPEP171c Medicago truncatula agauugagccgcgccaauauc SEQ ID NO: 322 MtmiPEP171h Medicago truncatula cgagccgaaucaauaucacuc SEQ ID NO: 323 AtmiPEP172a1 Arabidopsis thaliana agaaucuugaugaugcugcau SEQ ID NO: 324 AtmiPEP172a3 AtmiPKP172b1 Arabidopsis thaliana gcagcaccauuaagauucac SEQ ID NO: 325 AtmiPEP172c1 Arabidopsis thaliana agaaucuugaugaugcugcag SEQ ID NO: 326 AtmiPEP172e1 Arabidopsis thaliana ggaaucuugaugaugcugcau SEQ ID NO: 327 AtmiPEP172e2 AtmiPEP172e3 AcmiPEP319a1 Arabidopsis cebennensis uuggacugaagggagcucccu SEQ ID NO: 328 AcmiPEP319a2 AhmiPEP319a Arabidopsis halleri uuggacugaagggagcucccu SEQ ID NO: 329 AlmiPKP319a Arabidopsis lyrata uuggacugaagggagcucccu SEQ ID NO: 330 AtmiPEP319a1 Arabidopsis thaliana uuggacugaagggagcucccu SEQ ID NO: 331 AtmiPEP319a2 BrmiPEP319a Brassica rapa uuggacugaagggagcucccu SEQ ID NO: 332 CpmiPEP319a Carica papaya uuggacugaagggagcuccuu SEQ ID NO: 333 CrmiPEP319a Capsella rubella uuggacugaagggagcucc SEQ ID NO: 334 EgmiPEP319a Eucalyptus grandis uuggacugaagggagcucccu SEQ ID NO: 335 GrmiPEP319a Gossypium raimondii uuggacugaagggagcucccu SEQ ID NO: 336 MtmiPEP3l9a Medicago truncatula uuggacugaagggagucucccu SEQ ID NO: 337 OsmiPEP319a Oryza saliva uuggacugaagggugcucccu SEQ ID NO: 338 PpmiPEP319a Physccomitrella patens cuuggacugaagggagcucc SEQ ID NO: 339 ThmiPEP319a1 Thellungiella halophila uggacucaaggaagcucucu SEQ ID NO: 340 ThmiPEP319a2 AtmiPEP319b1 Arabidopsis thaliana uuggacugaagggagcucccu SEQ ID NO: 341 AtmiPEP394a1 Arabidopsis thaliana uuggcauucuguccaccucc SEQ ID NO: 342 AtmiPEP395c1 Arabidopsis thaliana cugaaguguuuggggggacuc SEQ ID NO: 343 AtmiPEP395c1 Arabidopsis thaliana cugaaguguuugggggaacuc SEQ ID NO: 344 AtmiPEP397b1 Arabidopsis thaliana ucauugagugcaucguugaug SEQ ID NO: 345 AtmiPEP398c1 Arabidopsis thaliana uguguucucaggucaccccug SEQ ID NO: 346 AtmiPEP399b Arabidopsis thaliana ugccaaaggagaguugcccug SEQ ID NO: 347 AtmiPEP399d1 Arabidopsis thaliana ugccaaaggagauuugccccg SEQ ID NO: 348 AtmiPEP403 Arabidopsis thaliana uuagauucacgcacaaacucg SEQ ID NO: 349 AtmiPEP447a1 Arabidopsis thaliana uuggggacgagauguuuuguug SEQ ID NO: 350 AtmiPEP447a2 Arabidopsis thaliana uuggggacgagauguuuuguug AtmiPEP447b1 Arabidopsis thaliana uuggggacgagauguuuuguug SEQ ID NO: 351 AtmiPEP447b2 Arabidopsis thaliana uuggggacgagauguuuuguug AtmiPEP447c Arabidopsis thaliana ccccuuacaauguc gaguaaa SEQ ID NO: 352 DmmiPEP1a Drosophila melanogaster uggaauguaaagaaguauggag SEQ ID NO: 353 DmmiPEP1b DmmiPEP8 Drosophila melanogaster uaauacugucagguaaagauguc SEQ ID NO: 354 HsmiPEP155 Homo sapiens uuaaugcuaaucgugauaggggu SEQ ID NO: 358 AtmiPEP157c Arabidopsis thaliana uugacagaagauagagagcac SEQ ID NO: 412 AtmiPEP157d Arabidopsis thaliana ugacagaagauagagagcac SEQ ID NO: 413 AtmiPEP160c Arabidopsis thaliana ugccuggcucccuguaugcca SEQ ID NO: 414 AtmiPEP164b Arabidopsis thaliana uggagaagcagggcacgugca SEQ ID NO: 415 AtmiPEP166c Arabidopsis thaliana ucggaccaggcuucauucccc SEQ ID NO: 416 AtmiPEP166d Arabidopsis thaliana ucggaccaggcuucauucccc SEQ ID NO: 417 AtmiPEP169a Arabidopsis thaliana cagccaaggaugacuugccga SEQ ID NO: 418 AtmiPEP169h Arabidopsis thaliana uagccaaggaugacuugccug SEQ ID NO: 419 AtmiPEP169n Arabidopsis thaliana uagccaaggaugacuugccug SEQ ID NO: 420 AtmiPEP170 Arabidopsis thaliana ugauugagccgugucaauauc SEQ ID NO: 421 AtmiPEP396a Arabidopsis thaliana uuccacagcuuucuugaacug SEQ ID NO: 422 AtmiPEP399c Arabidopsis thaliana ugccaaaggagaguugcccug SEQ ID NO: 423 AtmiPEP169d Medicago truncatula aagccaaggaugacuugccgg SEQ ID NO: 427

TABLE 5 List of the control Pre-miRNAs Pre-miRNA Organism Sequence of the Pre-miRNA SEQ ID Pre-miR169 Medicago TTAGGGTTTTCAGCTCATGGTAATAAAAATGTCATCTAATGTCTTGCATGT SEQ ID NO: 359 truncatula GGGAATGAGGTCATATATGCAGCCAAGGATGACTTGCCGGCGAGCCTCTT TCGATACTTTTATGACATAATTAATCATGTGGATAGCCAAGGTACTAAACT CACTTTGCACTAAAACAAATATTTTTGCTTTAGTGCAAACTTAGTTTAGGC GCTTCGCAACGGCTAGTCAAATGTCCTAGTTCCAATGTGATTGGTTGTCCG GCAAGTCGTCTCTGGCTACGTAAAGGCCTCCTTTTTTCATGCTAGATTTTTG ATGATTTGATATAGCCACACATATTTTGGAA Pre-miR169a Medicago  AAGAGGCAGAGAGAGTAATGCAGCCAAGGATGACTTGCCGACAACATTG SEQ ID NO: 360 truncatula GCGAATGTTCATGTGATTTCTGCCTCATTGTGCCGGCAAGTTGTCCTTGGCT ATGTTAGTCTCTCATCTTCT Pre-miR171a  Medicago  TGAATTCCCCTCCGCTTTTTGATGTTGGCTTGTCTCAATCAAATCAAAGTTC SEQ ID NO: 361 MI0001753 truncatula TTGAAATTTGAGTTCTTTAGTCTGATTGAGTCGTGCCAATATCATATTAAG CGATAAAAGTC Pre-miR171h Medicago  CCACAAAACTATAACTAGCTAGAAGCTTTAATCGCCTTATTTATTATAATA SEQ ID NO: 362 truncatula ATAATAATAAATATGGCTTCAGCTGCAAAAGTATACATGGCGTGATATTG ATCCGGCTCATCTATATCTTCAAGTTCAATCATCCATATTCATATCAATTTC AGACGAGCCGAATCAATATCACTCTTGTTTGCTTCATTGCATATTAATTAT ATACTTCATTTATAAGTTATAGTTTGCCATATATATATTAGATTGATTCTGC AGAAGTAGACAGGAGTGGTGTTGTTTCTGCTCATCTTATTAAATAATGAAT GAATGAATGACATTTGCTTACTTATAAGACGAGCCGAATCAATATCACTCC AGTACACCT Pre-miR393a Medicago  AACTGCAACTTGAGGAGGCATCCAAAGGGATCGCATTGATCCTATAATAT SEQ ID NO: 363 truncatula TTCAACTTTAGTCACTTTAATTTTCTCTCATATAATACTTAATTGGGATCAT GCCATCCCTTTGGATTTCTCCTTTAGTAGCTAC Pre-miR393b Medicago  AGGCATCCAAAGGGATCGCATTGATCCCAAATCTAATTAAGTCCCTAGCTA SEQ ID NO: 364 truncatula CTTAATTAACAACTTAATTTCCTTAATATCTCATAATATTTGGGATCATGCT ATCCCTTTGGATTCAT Pre-miR396a Medicago  TGCTTTTCCACAGCTTTCTTGAACTTCTTTCGTATCTTAAATCTGTTTTCAA SEQ ID NO: 365 truncatula GATTAAAAGTCCTAGAAGCTCAAGAAAGCTGTGGGAGAATA Pre-miR396b Medicago  TATTCTTCCACAGCTTTCTTGAACTGCATCCAAATTGAGTTCCTTTGCATTG SEQ ID NO: 366 truncatula CCATGGCCATTGTTTTGCGGTTCAATAAAGCTGTGGGAAGATA

TABLE 6 List of the control miRNAs miRNA Organism Sequence of the miRNA SEQ ID miR169 Medicago truncatula CAGCCAAGGAUGACUUGCCGG SEQ ID NO: 367 miR169a Medicago truncatula CAGCCAAGGAUGACUUGCCGA SEQ ID NO: 368 miR171a Medicago truncatula UGAUUGAGUCGUGCCAAUAUC SEQ ID NO: 369 miR171h Medicago truncatula GAGCCGAAUCAAUAUCACUC SEQ ID NO: 370 miR393a Medicago truncatula UCCAAAGGGAUCGCAUUGAUC SEQ ID NO: 371 miR393b Medicago truncatula UCCAAAGGGAUCGCAUUGAUC SEQ ID NO: 372 miR396a Medicago truncatula UUCCACAGCUUUCUUGAACUU SEQ ID NO: 373 miR396b Medicago truncatula UUCCACAGCUUUCUUGAACUG SEQ ID NO: 374

TABLE 7 Polymorphism of the DNA sequence of the different regions of pri-miR171b # # % # Size SNPs mutations SNP haplotypes pri-mir171b 1127 91 100 8.07 161 5′ pri-miR171b 129 4 4 3.1 5 miPEP171b 62 2 2 3.22 3 Pre-miR171b 118 1 1 0.85 2 miR171b + miR171b* 42 0 0 0 1 3′ pri-miR171b 259 39 42 15.06 89

The following examples will illustrate the invention better, but without limiting its scope.

EXAMPLES

A: Analysis of the miPEPS in Plants

Example 1 Characterization in the Model Plant Medicago truncatula

a) Identification and characterization of MtmiPEP171b1 (miPEP171b1 identified in Medicago truncatula)

The microRNA MtmiR171b is expressed in the meristematic region of the roots. The overexpression of this microRNA in particular leads to a reduction in the expression of the genes HAM1 (Accession No. MtGI9-TC114268) and HAM2 (Accession No. MtGI9-TC120850) (FIG. 1A), as well as to a reduction in the number of lateral roots (FIG. 1B). The overexpression of the pri-miR171b also induces a decrease in the number of lateral roots (FIG. 37).

The sequence of the primary transcript of MtmiR171b was determined using the RACE-PCR technique. Analysis of the sequence of the primary transcript made it possible to identify the presence of several completely unexpected small open reading frames (sORFs). These sORFs were called miORFs for “microRNA ORFS”. These miORFs potentially encode short peptides, from about 4 to 100 amino acids. No significant homology relating to these miORFS was found in the databases.

The overexpression of the first miORF, called MtmiORF171b, leads to an increase in the accumulation of MtmiR171b and a reduction in the expression of the HAM1 and HAM2 genes (see FIG. 2A), as well as to a reduction in the number of lateral roots (FIG. 2B), as was already observed in the overexpression of MtmiR171b.

In order to determine whether MtmiORF171b leads to the real production of a peptide and whether the regulatory function observed above is indeed carried by said peptide, a synthetic peptide, the sequence of which is identical to that potentially encoded by MtmiORF171b, was applied on the roots of Medicago truncatula. Application of this peptide leads to the phenotype already observed above in the overexpression of MtmiORF171b, i.e. it leads to an increase in the accumulation of MtmiR171b and a reduction in the expression of the HAM1 and HAM2 genes (see FIG. 3A), as well as a reduction in the number of lateral roots (FIG. 3B).

The results of these experiments demonstrate that MtmiORF171b encodes a peptide capable of modulating the accumulation of MtmiR171b, and the expression of the target genes of MtmiR171b: HAM1 and HAM2. Said peptide has been called MtmiPEP171b1 (“miPEP” corresponding to microRNA encoded PEPtide).

Moreover, MtPEP171b1 leads to an increase in the accumulation of MtmiR171b (FIG. 4A) and of pre-MtmiR171b (FIG. 4B).

b) Specificity of miPEP171b1

The expression of different microRNA precursors of Medicago truncatula (MtmiR171b SEQ ID NO: 319, MtmiR169 SEQ ID NO: 367, MtmiR169a SEQ ID NO: 368, MtmiR171a SEQ ID NO: 369, MtmiR171h SEQ ID NO: 370, MtmiR393a SEQ ID NO: 371, MtmiR393b SEQ ID NO: 372, MtmiR396a SEQ ID NO: 373 and MtmiR396b SEQ ID NO: 374) was determined and compared between control plants and plants in which MtmiORF171b encoding MtmiPEP171b1 was overexpressed (FIG. 5A), or between control plants and plants grown on culture medium containing MtmiPEP171b1 (FIG. 5B).

The results obtained indicate that MtmiPEP171b1 only leads to an increase in the accumulation of MtmiR171b and not of the other miRNAs, which indicates that a miPEP only has an effect on the microRNA from which it is derived.

c) Localization of miPEP171b1

Moreover, the immunolocalization of miPEP171b1 in the roots of M. truncatula reveals the presence of miPEP171b1 in the lateral root initiation sites, showing a co-localization between the microRNA and the corresponding miPEP (FIGS. 28 and 34).

Example 1B MtmiPEP169d

Regarding MtmiPEP169d, it has been demonstrated in vivo in M. truncatula that the overexpression of this miPEP induces an accumulation of MtmiR169d (FIG. 32).

Example 1C MtmiPEP171e

Regarding MtmiPEP171e, it has been demonstrated in vivo in M. truncatula that the overexpression of this miPEP induces an accumulation of MtmiR171e (FIG. 33).

Example 2 Characterization in the Model Plant of Tobacco

a) Conservation of the Mechanism in Tobacco

In order to determine whether the mechanism of regulation of the microRNAs is conserved in other plant species, the regulation of MtmiR171b by MtmiPEP171b1 was tested in a different cellular model. For this, MtmiR171b and MtmiPEP171b1 were introduced into tobacco leaves.

The accumulation of MtmiR171b was measured in tobacco leaves transformed in order to express MtmiR171b of Medicago truncatula starting from wild-type pri-miRNA capable of producing MtmiPEP171b1, or starting from a mutated version of pri-miRNA incapable of producing MtmiPEP171b1 (in which the start codon ATG of MtmiORF171b has been replaced with ATT) (FIG. 6 and FIG. 20). Absence of translation of MtmiPEP171b1 leads to a marked decrease in the accumulation of MtmiR171b.

The accumulation of pre-MtmiR171b was measured in tobacco leaves transformed in order to express MtmiR171b of Medicago truncatula alone (control), or additionally expressing the wild-type MtmiORF171b of Medicago truncatula (35SmiPEP171b1 ATG), or a mutated version of MtmiORF171b in which the start codon ATG has been replaced with ATT (35SmiPEP171b1 ATT) (FIG. 7 and FIG. 21). The expression of MtmiORF171b leads to an increase in the accumulation of pre-miR171b, and this accumulation of pre-miR171b depends on the translation of MtmiORF171b to micropeptide.

Moreover, in the tobacco leaves transformed in order to express MtmiR171b of Medicago truncatula, untreated or treated by spraying with MtmiPEP171b1 (0.1 μM) for the first time 12 h before sampling and then a second time 30 minutes before sampling, it was observed that MtmiPEP171b1 may be used directly in peptide form by foliar sprayings (FIG. 8).

Moreover, it was observed in tobacco (as in Medicago truncatula) that the MtmiPEP171b1 leads to an increase in the accumulation of MtmiR171b (FIG. 9A) and of pre-MtmiR171b (FIG. 9B), but reduces the accumulation of pri-MtmiR171b (FIG. 9C).

Taken together, these results indicate that the mechanism of regulation of the microRNAs and of their target genes under the control of miPEPs is conserved between the species.

b) Intracellular Localization of MtmiPEP171b1

Tobacco leaves were transformed in order to overexpress MtmiPEP171b1 of Medicago truncatula fused with a fluorescent protein (GFP) (FIG. 10). The results obtained indicate that the miPEP is localized in small nuclear bodies.

c) Identification of miPEPS from Databases

Genomic databases of plants were searched for the presence of open reading frames within primary transcripts of 70 miRNAs, and 101 miORFs capable of encoding a miPEP were identified.

At present, AtmiPEP165a and AtmiPEP319a2, identified in Arabidopsis thaliana, have already been characterized. The experiments conducted in the model plant of tobacco made it possible to demonstrate that the overexpression of AtmiORF165a or of AtmiORF319a leads to an increase in the accumulation of AtmiR165a or of AtmiR319a respectively (FIG. 11).

miR165a regulates transcription factors such as Revoluta, Phavoluta and Phabulosa.

miR319 regulates genes of the TCP family.

Example 3 Characterization in the Arabidopsis thaliana Model Plant Example 3A AtmiPEP165a

Regarding AtmiPEP165a, it has been demonstrated in vivo in Arabidopsis thaliana that treatment with AtmiPEP165a leads to a phenotype with greatly accelerated root growth (FIG. 12).

Moreover, treatment of plants with higher and higher concentrations of miPEP165a shows a dose-dependent effect on the accumulation of miR165a and the negative regulation of its target genes (PHAVOLUTA: PHV, PHABOLUSA: PHB and REVOLUTA: REV) as a function of the amount of miPEP165A (see FIG. 22).

Example 3B AtmiPEP164a

Regarding AtmiPEP164a, this was synthesized and was used for investigating an increase in the accumulation of miR164a in roots of A. thaliana treated with the synthetic peptide.

Northern blot analyses indicate that treatment of the plant with the peptide miPEP164a leads to an increase in the accumulation of miR164a (FIG. 23).

The same type of results has been obtained by qRT-PCR (FIG. 30).

It has also been demonstrated in vivo in Arabidopsis thaliana that treatment of the plant with AtmiPEP164a increases plant growth significantly (FIG. 24).

Example 3C AtmiPEP165a

Regarding AtmiPEP165a, this was synthesized and was used for investigating an increase in the accumulation of miR165a in roots of A. thaliana treated with the synthetic peptide.

Northern blot analyses indicate that treatment of the plant with the peptide miPEP165a leads to an increase in the accumulation of miR165a (FIG. 25).

Moreover, to determinate the mode of action of miPEPs regarding the accumulation of their own miRs, the expression of pri-miR165a has been analysed in wildtype plants and in plants that have been transformed to overexpress miPEP165a (FIG. 35).

The overexpression of pri-miR165a is enhanced in the plants that overexpress miPEP165a (FIG. 36A).

In the presence of cordycepin, an inhibitor of RNA synthesis, the amount of pri-miR165a is identical in wildtype plants and in transformed plants (FIG. 36B), it indicates that miPEP165a does not operate as a RNA stabilizer, but rather as a transcription activator of pri-miR165a.

Moreover, the expression of pri-miR165a has been analysed in wildtype plants (Col-0 plants) and in mutated plants having a low allele of the second large subunit of RNA polymerase II (nrpb2-3 plants). The results obtained indicate that mutated plants do not show an increase in the accumulation of pri-miR165 in response to miPEP165a, unlike wildtype plants. It appears that the miPEP operates as a transcription regulator.

Example 3D AtmiPEP319a1

Regarding AtmiPEP319a1, this was also synthesized and was used for investigating an increase in the accumulation of miR319a in roots of A. thaliana treated with the synthetic peptide.

Analyses by qRT-PCR show that the overexpression of AtmiPEP319a1 leads to an increase in the accumulation of miR319a (FIGS. 26 and 31).

It was also demonstrated in vivo in Arabidopsis thaliana that treatment of the plant with AtmiPEP319a1 increases plant growth significantly (FIG. 27).

Example 3E AtmiPEP160b1

Regarding AtmiPEP160b1, it has been demonstrated in vivo in A. thaliana that the overexpression of this miPEP induces an accumulation of AtmiR160b (FIG. 29).

Material and Methods

Biological Material

The surface of seeds of M truncatula was sterilized and they were left to germinate on agar plates for 5 days at 4° C. in the dark. The young shoots were then grown on 12-cm square plates filled with Fahraeus medium without nitrogen and containing 7.5 μM phosphate (Lauressergues et al., Plant J., 72(3): 512-22, 2012). The lateral roots were counted every day. In pots, the plants were watered every other day with modified Long Ashton medium with low phosphorus content (Balzergue et al., Journal of Experimental Botany, (62)1049-1060, 2011).

The peptides were synthesized by Eurogentec or Smartox-Biotech. MtmiPEP171b1 was resuspended in a solution of 40% water/50% acetonitrile/10% acetic acid (v/v/v), and the other peptides were resuspended in water.

The leaves were watered by spraying with the peptides using peptide solutions at different concentrations (0.01, 0.1, 1 μM), firstly 12 h before sampling and then a second time 30 min before sampling.

Reverse Transcription of the microRNAs

The RNA was extracted using the reagent Tri-Reagent (MRC) according to the manufacturer's instructions, except for precipitation of the RNA, which was carried out with 3 volumes of ethanol. The everse transcription of the RNA was carried out using the specific stem-loop primer RTprimer171b in combination with hexamers for performing the reverse transcription of RNA of high molecular weight.

In brief, 1 μg of RNA was added to the stem-loop primer MIR171b (0.2 μM), the hexamer (500 ng), the buffer RT (1×), the enzyme SuperScript Reverse transcriptase (SSIII) (one unit), the dNTPs (0.2 mM each), DTT (0.8 mM) in a final reaction mixture of 25 μl. In order to carry out the reverse transcription, a reaction of pulsed reverse transcription was performed (40 repetitions of the following cycle: 16° C. for 2 minutes, 42° C. for one minute and 50° C. for one second, followed by a final inactivation of the reverse transcription at 85° C. for 5 minutes).

Analyses by Quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR)

The total RNA was extracted from roots of M. truncatula or from tobacco leaves using the extraction kit RNeasy Plant Mini Kit (Qiagen). The reverse transcription was performed using the reverse transcriptase SuperScript II (Invitrogen) starting from 500 ng of total RNA. Three repetitions (n=3) were carried out, each with two technical repetitions. Each experiment was repeated from two to three times. The amplifications by qPCR were carried out using a LightCycler 480 System thermocycler (Roche Diagnostics) by the method described in Lauressergues et al. (Plant J., 72(3): 512-22, 2012).

Statistical Analyses

The mean values of the relative expression of the genes or of the production of lateral roots were analysed using the Student test or the Kruskal-Wallis test. The error bars represent the SEM (Standard Error of the Mean). The asterisks indicate a significant difference (p<0.05).

Plasmid Constructs

The DNA fragments of interest were amplified with Pfu polymerase (Promega). The DNA fragments were cloned using the XhoI and NotI enzymes into a pPEX-DsRED plasmid for an overexpression under the control of the constitutive strong promoter 35S, and using the KpnI-NcoI enzymes into a pPEX GUS plasmid for the reporter genes, by the method described in Combier et al. (Genes & Dev, 22: 1549-1559, 2008).

For the miPEPs 165a and 319a, the corresponding miORFs were cloned into pBIN19 by the method described in Combier et al. (Genes & Dev, 22: 1549-1559, 2008).

Transformation of the Plants

The composite plants having roots transformed with Agrobacterium rhizogenes were obtained by the method described in Boisson-Dernier et al. (Mol Plant-Microbe Interact, 18: 1269-1276, 2005). The transformed roots were verified and selected by observations of DsRED with a binocular fluorescence magnifier. The control roots correspond to roots transformed with A. rhizogenes not containing the pPEX-DsRED vector. Transformation of the tobacco leaves was carried out by the method described in Combier et al. (Genes & Dev, 22: 1549-1559, 2008).

Northern Blot

Northern blot analysis was carried out according to the protocol described in Lauressergues et al. Plant J., 72(3): 512-22, 2012.

The biological samples were homogenized in a buffer containing 0.1 M of NaCl, 2% of SDS, 50 mM of Tris-HCl (pH 9), 10 mM of EDTA (pH 8) and 20 mM of mercaptoethanol, and the RNA was extracted twice with a phenol/chloroform mixture and was precipitated with ethanol.

The RNA was loaded on PAGE 15% gel and transferred to a nylon membrane (HybondNX, Amersham). RNA was hybridized with a radioactive oligonucleotide probe labelled at its end, in order to detect the RNA U6 or for miR164a.

The hybridizations were carried out at 55° C. The hybridization signals were quantified using a phosphorimager (Fuji) and normalized with the signal of the specific probe of RNA U6.

RNA Stability

For each condition, two week old plants that have been cultivated vertically on solid MS medium have been transferred in 6-well plates containing 1 ml of liquid MS medium. After a 16 hour incubation with 1 mM of miPEP, the plants have been treated with 100 μg/ml of cordycepin or with water (as control), and harvested a different times to extract and quantify RNA. Each indivual experiment has been made 3 times.

Histochemical Labelling

Labelling with GUS was carried out by the method described in Combier et al., (Genes & Dev, 22: 1549-1559, 2008). The samples were observed with a microscope (axiozoom).

Immunolocalization

Roots or plantlets of tissues of Medicago were fixed for 2 hours in 4% formol (v/v) with 50 mM of phosphate buffer (pH 7.2), and then embedded in agarose LMP 5% in water (with a low melting point). Thin sections (100 μm) were obtained and were placed in Pbi (phosphate buffer for immunology) on Teflon-coated slides, blocked in Pbi, 2% Tween and 1% of bovine serum albumin for 2 hours (PbiT-BSA), then labelled overnight (12 h) at 4° C. with the primary antibody diluted in BSA-PbiT. The sections were washed with PBiT and incubated at ambient temperature for 2 h with a secondary antibody diluted in PbiT-BSA. The slides were then washed in Pbi for 30 min and mounted in Citifluor (mounting medium). The primary antibodies and the dilutions were as follows: 1716a (1:500, v/v). The secondary antibody was a goat anti-rabbit IgG antibody coupled to the Alexa Fluor 633 fluorescent probe (Molecular Probes), and was used at a dilution of 1:1000 (v/v).

Western Blotting

A total extract of proteins has been prepared using the method described in Combier et al., (Genes & Dev, 22: 1549-1559, 2008) and separated by SDS-PAGE. The transfer has been made using a phosphate buffer overnight at 4° C., at 15V, then the membrane has been incubated for 45 min at room temperature in a solution of glutaraldehyde 0.2% (v/v). Primary antibodies have been used at a 1:1000 (v/v) dilution and HRP-conjugated goat anti-rabbit Ig antibodies have used as secondary antibodies at a 1:40 000 (v/v) dilution.

TABLE 8 List of primers AtmiR160bq5 (SEQ ID NO: 429) TCCCCAAATTCTTGACCAAA AtmiR160bq3 (SEQ ID NO: 430) TTGAGGGGAAAACATGAACC AtmiR164aq5 (SEQ ID NO: 431) ACGAAATCCGTCTCATTTGC AtmiR164aq3 (SEQ ID NO: 432) GGGTGAAGAGCTCATGTTGG AtmiR165q5 (SEQ ID NO: 433) TGAGGGGAATGTTGTCTGG AtmiR165q3 (SEQ ID NO: 434) GAAGCCTGGTCCGAGGATA AtmiR319q5 (SEQ ID NO: 435) CGAGTCGCCAAAATTCAAAC AtmiR319q3 (SEQ ID NO: 436) GCTCCCTTCAGTCCAATCAA AtPHVq5 (SEQ ID NO: 437) GCAACTGCAGTGGAATAGCA AtPHVq3 (SEQ ID NO: 438) GCGACCTTCATGGGTTCTAA AtPHBq5 (SEQ ID NO: 439) CTCAGCATCAGCAACGTGAT AtPHBq3 (SEQ ID NO: 440) AACTCTGCTAGGGCCTCCTC AtREVq5 (SEQ ID NO: 441) TCACAACTCCTCAGCATTCG AtREVq3 (SEQ ID NO: 442) ACCCAATCAACAGCAGTTCC Atactine2F (SEQ ID NO: 443) GGTAACATTGTGCTCAGTGG Atactine2R (SEQ ID NO: 444) CTCGGCCTTGGAGATCCACA miORF319acla5 (SEQ ID NO: 445) tcatcgATGAATATACATACATACCATCAT miORF319abam3 (SEQ ID NO: 446) tccggatccTCTAAAAGCTAAAGTGATTCTAAA AtmiR319cla5 (SEQ ID NO: 447) tcatcgAGAGAGAGCTTCCTTGAGTC AtmiR319bam3 (SEQ ID NO: 448) tccggatccAGAGGGAGCTCCCTTCAGT AtmiR165cla5 (SEQ ID NO: 449) tcatcgGTTGAGGGGAATGTTGTCTG AtmiR165bam3 (SEQ ID NO: 450) tccggatccGTTGGGGGGGATGAAGCC AtmiR165muorf5cla (SEQ ID NO: 451) tcatcgATGAGGGTTAAGCTATTTCAGT AtmiR165muorf3bam (SEQ ID NO: 452) tccggatccTAATATCCTCGATCCAGACAAC miR171bq5 (SEQ ID NO: 453) CGCCTCAATTTGAATACATGG miR171bq3 (SEQ ID NO: 454) ACGCGGCTCAATCAAACTAC pri-miR171bq5 (SEQ ID NO: 455) GCACTAGCTGGTTTCATTATTCC pri-miR171bq3 (SEQ ID NO: 456) TTGCAAAATTTGGAGAGCCTA miR171eq5 (SEQ ID NO: 457) AAGCGATGTTGGTGAGGTTC miR171eq3 (SEQ ID NO: 458) CGGCTCAATCTGAGATCGTAT miR169dq5 (SEQ ID NO: 459) GGGCGGTGAGATTAACAAAA miR169dq3 (SEQ ID NO: 460) CCTGCCGGAAATGAAACTAA miORF171e2Cla5 (SEQ ID NO: 461) tcatcgATGATGGTGTTTGGGAAGCC miORF171e2bam3(SEQ ID NO: 462) tccggatccTACATGTAAATCCGTCTTCGG miORF171b5′AGG (SEQ ID NO: 463) AGGCTTCTTCATAGGCTCTCC miR171e5′Xho (SEQ ID NO: 464) TCAGTCCGCTCGAGGAATAAGTGAATAT TATCGATATTT miR171e3'Not (SEQ ID NO: 465) AAGGAAAAAAGCGGCCGCAAAGTGATA TTGGCGCGGCT 171b scramble F bis (SEQ ID NO: 466) TAGCATGTTATTACACCGCTTAAGTAAG TTCTGTAAGATAGAGCGCGATATTGTTT ACATTAGCTAG 171b scramble R bis (SEQ ID NO: 467) CGTACTAGCTAATGTAAACAATATCGCG CTCTATCTTACAGAACTTACTTAAGCGG TGTAATAACAT PromiORF171b1 ATG BsaIR  aaaaGGTCTCgCCATAAGCATAGTGGAAT (SEQ ID NO: 468) AATGAAACC PromiORF171b2 ATG BsaIR  aaaaGGTCTCgCCATTTCCATACCTGAATT (SEQ ID NO: 469) TCTCCTT PromiORF171b6 ATG BsaI R  aaaaGGTCTCgCCATCTTCATCCTCAATAT (SEQ ID NO: 470) CCTAATTC 171b fusion GFP sans ATG BsaI aGGTCTCgACACAGATATATATACTATGT R (SEQ ID NO: 471) CTCTTTCAATTTTGC Pro171b fusionTranscript GUSpPEX aaaGGTCTCgCCATGACCATTTTCCCACG BsaI R (SEQ ID NO: 472) AATATG Pro171b fusionATG1 aaGGTCTCgACACAAGCATAGTGGAATA GUSpPEXsansATG BsaI R  ATGAAACC (SEQ ID NO: 473) Pro171bfusionTraducGUSpPEX aaGGTCTCgACACAGATATATATACTATG BsaI R (SEQ ID NO: 474) TCTCTTTCA 171b NcoI F (SEQ ID NO: 475) Gaattcctgcccatggttttcg 171b NcoI R (SEQ ID NO: 476) Cgaaaaccatgggcaggaattc 171b AflII F (SEQ ID NO: 477) cagtcccgacttaagctcaatac 171b AflII R (SEQ ID NO: 478) gtattgagcttaagtcgggactg 171b genomiq BsaI F  aaaGGTCTCCTAGC (SEQ ID NO: 479) TTGGTCAAACATACATACAGTAGCACTAG 171b genomiq BsaI R  aaaGGTCTCgCGTAAAATTGTACTGATTG (SEQ ID NO: 480) AATGTAAATTGGTACAC AthmiORF160b F (SEQ ID NO: 481) TAGCATGTTTTCCCCTCAATGA AthmiORF160b R (SEQ ID NO: 482) cgtaTCATTGAGGGGAAAACAT AthMIR160b BsaI F (SEQ ID NO: 483) aaaGGTCTCcTAGCACTCATAACTCTCCCC AAATTC AthMIR160b BsaI R (SEQ ID NO: 484) aaaGGTCTCgCGTAGAAAGAATGTTCGAA AAACAATG pro 165a BsaI F (SEQ ID NO: 485) aGGTCTCCAAATcatgaagcaggcagtaataacct 165a muORF tagHA BsaI R  aGGTCTCgCGTActaAGCGTAATCTGGAAC (SEQ ID NO: 486) ATCGTATGGGTAtaatatcctcgatccagacaac 165a fusion transcript BsaI R  aGGTCTCgccatagtggcggagacgaagatg (SEQ ID NO: 487) 165a fusion traduc BsaI R  aGGTCTCgccattaatatcctcgatccagacaac (SEQ ID NO: 488) pro 165a BsaI F (SEQ ID NO: 489) aGGTCTCCAAATtaaactgtcagtgcatggatgt 165a fusion GTG BsaI R  aGGTCTCgACACattcacaaagttgtagagag (SEQ ID NO: 490) 165a fusion GTGmutGTT BsaI aGGTCTCgACACattaacaaagttgtagagag R (SEQ ID NO: 491) 165a fusion CTG BsaI R  aGGTCTCgACACtagcagattcacaaatttttgttg (SEQ ID NO: 492) 165a fusion ATG BsaI R  aGGTCTCgACACcctcatgataatcgatcttagca (SEQ ID NO: 493)

B: Analysis of the miPEPs in Animals

Example 4 Identification of Candidate miPEPs in Drosophila

a) Identification of miPEP Candidates

A first study carried out by RACE-PCR in the model animal Drosophila melanogaster shows the existence of miRNAs that are expressed during embryogenesis, miR1 and miR8.

As in the plants, miORFs were identified in each of the two miRNAs studied. For example, miR8, known for its role in the regulation of growth in insects, has a miORF potentially encoding miPEP8.

Regarding DmmiR1 (identified in Drosophila melanogaster), it has two DmmiORFs potentially encoding DmmiPEPla and DmmiPEP1b.

A phylogenetic analysis shows evolutionary conservation of the presence of the miORFs among the dozen Drosophila species analysed, i.e. since their divergence more than 60 million years ago (FIG. 13).

Moreover, the miPEPs identified in Drosophila have several similarities with the plant miPEPs. If their primary sequence and therefore their size evolve rapidly between species, a reduced size (from 32 to 104 AA) is found, as well as strong conservation for a basic overall charge (pHi from 9.5 to 12) (FIG. 14).

Taken together, these results therefore indicate the existence of regulatory miPEPs, encoded by the primary transcript of the microRNAs, over a broad spectrum of eukaryotic species. These discovered peptides represent an as yet unexplored reservoir of natural molecules that may regulate a variety of fundamental biological functions, both in plants and in animals.

b) Expression of the miPEPs

Drosophila melanogaster cells have been transfected to overexpress the DmmiPEP8 (from the sequence SEQ ID NO: 494) or the DmmiPEP mt of which start codons have been mutated (from the sequence SEQ ID NO: 495). As a transfection control, one moesin-RFP-producing plasmid has been co-transfected with the plasmids encoding DmmiPEP8 and DmmiPEP8 mt. It is observed that start codons in the DmmiPEP8 sequence are functional because they allow the synthesis of a miPEP::GFP fusion protein shown by the GFP whereas the constructions with mutated ATGs do not produce hardly any GFP.

These results suggest that the ORF of the miPEP is functional (FIG. 38).

Material and Methods

Cells of Drosophila melanogaster

S2 cells are cultured in a T75 flask in 12 mL of Schneider's medium (GIBCO), containing 1% of penicillin 100 U/mL and streptavidin 100 mg/mL (Sigma) and 10% of decomplemented foetal calf serum (30 min at 56° C.).

The transient transfections are carried out using the FuGENE® HD transfection kit (Roche), according to the recommendations. Conventionally, 1.5 million S2 cells, previously seeded in 6-well plates (3 ml of medium per well), are transfected with 250 ng of total plasmid DNA. The DNA is brought into contact with the Fugene (3 μl) in 100 μl of OPTIMEM (GIBCO). After 20 minutes, the transfection reagent formed is brought into contact with the cells in the culture medium. The RNA of the cells is extracted 66 h after transfection.

Cloning of DmmiPEP8- and Mutated DmmiPEP8-Fragments

The DNA fragments, corresponding to the sequences of DmmiPEP8 (SEQ ID NO: 494) and of DmmiPEP8 mutated in the start codons (SEQ ID NO: 495), have been amplified by PCRin order to be cloned in accordance with the GFP in a pUAS plasmid. The SE insect cells have been co-transfected with a mix of plasmids (1/1/1 ratio, a total of 300 ng) encoding DmmiPEP8::GFP or its mutated form DmmiPEP8 mt::GFP, a pACT-GAL4 allowing their overexpression by means of a GAL4 transcription factor produced under the control of the actin promotor and a expression vector encoding the moesin-RFP protein used as a transfection control, also under the control of the actin promotor. 48 h after transfection, the cells are fixed by the addition of formaldehyde in the final medium culture 4% (WN) for 10 min. Then, the cells are washed 2× with PBS 1X and coated on slides in order to be observed under a microscope (Leica SPE).

TABLE 9 Cloned sequences. CGCACACACACACACACACAATCACTCACACGCGGTCACAC SEQ ID  GCACATTTCAATAAACTAATGGAGCCTGGCTTTGTTTTTGTT NO: 494 TTATTTCCAACCCACTTGAGCACACAGCACACACAGAGAGA AAAATCAATACTCGTTATGGGATTAAATTTACAAAGCGCAA AGCAAAGCGACAAACAAAATTCAAAAGAAAGAAAAAAAAA CACTCAAATAAACTCACAAAGAATTCCTTATCGCCAAGGGG GCCAATGTTCTAAGGTTCTTTCGCCT CGCACACACACACACACACAATCACTCACACGCGGTCACAC SEQ ID  GCACATTTCAATAAACTAAGTGAGCCTGGCTTTGTTTTTGTT NO: 495 TTATTTCCAACCCACTTAAGCACACAGCACACACAGAGAGA AAAATCAATACTCGTTAGTGGATTAAATTTACAAAGCGCAA AGCAAAGCGACAAACAAAATTCAAAAGAAAGAAAAAAAAA CACTCAAATAAACTCACAAAGAATTCCTTATCGCCAAGGGG GCCAATGTTCTAAGGTTCTTTCGCCT

C: Characterization of miPEPs in Humans

Example 5 Characterization of HsmiPEP155

The DNA fragments of interest (HsmiPEP155 and the mutated miPEP) were synthesized or amplified by PCR using specific primers, and then cloned using the enzymes XhoI and NotI into a pUAS plasmid permitting their overexpression by means of the GAL4 transcription factor, the expression of which is controlled by a constitutive strong promoter.

The different constructs were produced either by PCR amplification on genomic DNA of HeLa cells, or by RT-PCR on total RNAs of L428 human cells. The amplified PCR fragments are digested with the HindIII/EcoRI restriction enzymes and then cloned into the vector pcDNA3.1. The DH5α strain of Escherichia coli is electroporated and then cultured on a solid medium (2YT+agar+ampicillin). The plasmid DNA from different clones is then prepared and sequenced for verification. The constructs are then prepared using the QIAfilter Plasmid Midi kit (QIAGEN) and stored at −20° C.

The HeLa cells (established tumour line, ATCC CCL-2.2) are cultured in a 6-well plate in complete medium [(DMEM (1x)+Glutamax+4.5 g/L glucose without pyruvate+1x penicillin/streptomycin+1 mM Na-pyruvate+10% calf serum] and placed in an incubator at 37° C. and 5% CO2.

The cells are transfected when they are at 50% confluence. At the start of the experiment, the complete medium containing the antibiotics is replaced with complete medium without antibiotics.

For each well, a mix A [250 μl of Optimem (+Glutamax) (Gibco)+2 μg of DNA] and a mix B [250 μl of Optimem+4 μl of Lipofectamine 2000 (Invitrogen)] is prepared, and left for 5 min at ambient temperature. Then mix B is mixed dropwise into mix A, and left to incubate for 25 min at ambient temperature. The mixture is then deposited dropwise into the well. 4-5 hours later, the medium is changed and replaced with complete medium with antibiotics. 48 hours after transfection, the cells are stopped. The medium is aspirated and discarded; the cells are rinsed with PBS 1×. It is then possible to store the cells at −20° C. or extract the total RNAs directly.

For each well, the RNAs are extracted by depositing 1 ml of Tri-Reagent (Euromedex) on the cells. The Tri-reagent is aspirated and returned several times so that the cells are lysed correctly, and then it is transferred into a 1.5-ml tube. 0.2 ml of water-saturated chloroform is added. It is mixed by vortexing, then left for 2 to 3 minutes at ambient temperature. It is centrifuged for 5 minutes at 15300 rpm and at 4° C. The aqueous phase is precipitated from 0.5 ml of isopropanol after incubation for 10 minutes at ambient temperature and centrifugation for 15 minutes at 15300 rpm and at 4° C. The supernatant is discarded and the pellet is rinsed with 1 ml of 70% ethanol, with centrifugation for 5 minutes at 15300 rpm at 4° C. The supernatant is again discarded and the pellet is dried for a few minutes in the air. For best-possible removal of the genomic DNA potentially remaining, the RNAs are treated with DNase. For this, the pellet is resuspended in 170 μl of ultra-pure water, 20 μl of DNase buffer 10× and 10 μl of RQ1 RNase-free DNase and held at 37° C. for 30 minutes. Then 20 μl of SDS10% and 5 μl of proteinase K (20 mg/ml) are added over 20 minutes at 37° C.

A last phenol extraction is carried out with 225 μl of a phenol/H2O/chloroform mixture, and centrifuged for 5 minutes at 15300 rpm at 4° C.

The aqueous phase is then precipitated from 20 μl of 3M sodium acetate and 600 μl of 100% ethanol for 20 minutes at −80° C. Then it is centrifuged for 15 min at 4° C. at 15300 rpm. The supernatant is discarded. The pellet is rinsed in 1 ml of 70% ethanol, centrifuged for 5 min at 15300 rpm at 4° C., the supernatant is discarded again and the pellet is left to dry for some minutes in the air.

The pellet is then taken up in 15-20 μl of ultra-pure water and the RNAs are assayed.

10-15 μg of total RNAs is then analysed by Northern blot on 15% acrylamide gel [solution of acrylamide/40% bis-acrylamide, ratio 19:1], 7M urea in TBE 1x. Migration is carried out at 400V, in TBE1x as migration buffer, after preheating the gel. The RNAs are then electro-transferred onto a Biodyne Plus 0.45 μm nylon membrane, for 2 hours, at 1V and 4° C. in a transfer tank. At the end of transfer, the membrane is irradiated with UV at 0.124 J/cm2. The membrane is then pre-hybridized in a buffer 5× SSPE, 1× Denhardt's, 1% SDS and 150 μg/ml of yeast tRNA, for 1 hour at 50° C. in a hybridization oven. Then the nucleotide probe is added, labelled at 5′ with γ-32P-ATP (0.5 to 1·106 cpm/ml of hybridization buffer) and is hybridized overnight at 50° C. The membrane is then washed twice in 0.1× SSPE/0.1% SDS at ambient temperature and exposed in an autoradiography cassette containing a BioMax HE screen (Kodak) and a BioMax MS film (Kodak), in order to detect a microRNA, for 24-48 hours, at −80° C.

Claims

1. Process for detecting and identifying a micropeptide (miPEP) encoded by a nucleotide sequence contained in the sequence of the primary transcript of a microRNA, comprising: in which a modulation of the accumulation of said microRNA in the presence of said peptide relative to the accumulation of said microRNA in the absence of said peptide indicates the existence of a micropeptide encoded by said open reading frame.

a) a step of detecting an open reading frame from 12 to 303 nucleotides in length contained in the sequence of the primary transcript of said microRNA, then
b) a step of comparison between: the accumulation of said microRNA in a specified eukaryotic cell expressing said microRNA, in the presence of a peptide encoded by a nucleotide sequence that is identical or degenerate relative to that of said open reading frame, said peptide being present in the cell independently of transcription of the primary transcript of said microRNA, and the accumulation of said microRNA in a eukaryotic cell of the same type as the aforesaid specified eukaryotic cell expressing said microRNA, in the absence of said peptide,

2. Process for detecting and identifying a miPEP according to claim 1, in which the modulation of the accumulation of said microRNA is a decrease or an increase in the accumulation of said microRNA, in particular an increase.

3. Process for detecting and identifying a miPEP according to claim 1, in which the presence of the peptide in the cell results from:

the introduction of a nucleic acid encoding said peptide into the cell, or
the introduction of said peptide into the cell.

4. Process for detecting and identifying a miPEP according to claim 1, in which said open reading frame in step a) is contained in the 5′ or 3′ portion of said primary transcript of the microRNA, preferably in the 5′ portion.

5. Process for detecting and identifying a miPEP according to claim 1, in which said microRNA is present in a wild-type plant cell or in a wild-type animal cell, and in which said eukaryotic cell used in step b) is a plant cell, preferably of a crucifer, of a leguminous plant or of a plant of the Solanaceae family or is an animal cell, preferably a human cell or Drosophila cell.

6. Process for detecting and identifying a miPEP according to claim 1, in which said microRNA is of endogenous origin in said eukaryotic cell used in step b).

7. Process for detecting and identifying a miPEP according to claim 1, in which said microRNA is of exogenous origin in said eukaryotic cell used in step b), said eukaryotic cell containing a vector allowing the expression of said microRNA.

8. Process for detecting and identifying a miPEP according to claim 1, in which the accumulation of said microRNA is determined using quantitative RT-PCR, Northern blot, a DNA or RNA chip.

9. MiPEP encoded by the nucleotide sequence as obtained by the process according to claim 1.

10. MiPEP from 3 to 100 amino acids, preferably from 4 to 40 amino acids, encoded by n open reading frame from 12 to 303 nucleotids contained in a nucleotide sequence contained in the primary transcript of a microRNA, said miPEP being capable of modulating the accumulation of said microRNA in a eukaryotic cell, said nucleotide sequence being contained in the 5′ or 3′ portion of said primary transcript of a microRNA, preferably in the 5′ portion,

the modulation of the microRNA by said miPEP being evidenced by observing a variation in the amounts of microRNA quantities between cells in the presence or in the absence of miPEP.

11. MiPEP according to claim 9, said miPEP being selected from the group of peptides consisting of:

SEQ ID NO: 1 to SEQ ID NO: 104 and SEQ ID NO: 355,
SEQ ID NO: 375 to SEQ ID NO: 386, or
SEQ ID NO: 424.

12. Nucleic acid molecule encoding a miPEP as defined according to claim 9, said nucleic acid molecule being selected in particular from the group of nucleic acids consisting of:

SEQ ID NO: 105 to SEQ ID NO: 208 and SEQ ID NO: 356,
SEQ ID NO: 387 to SEQ ID NO: 399, or
SEQ ID NO: 425.

13. A method for modulating the expression of a gene in a specified eukaryotic cell, comprising exposing said specified eukaryotic cell at least:

a miPEP as defined according to claim 9,
a nucleic acid encoding said miPEP, or
a vector containing said nucleic acid,
said specified eukaryotic cell being capable of expressing a microRNA, the primary transcript of which contains at least one nucleotide sequence encoding said at least one miPEP and the accumulation of which is modulated by said at least one miPEP,
the expression of said gene being regulated by said microRNA,
said miPEP in particular being selected from the group of peptides consisting of:
SEQ ID NO: 1 to SEQ ID NO: 104 and SEQ ID NO: 355,
SEQ ID NO: 375 to SEQ ID NO: 386, or
SEQ ID NO: 424,
in particular:
SEQ ID NO: 59, SEQ ID NO: 24, SEQ ID NO: 43, SEQ ID NO: 76, SEQ ID NO: 77, SEQ ID NO: 14, SEQ ID NO: 63 and SEQ ID NO: 424,
said nucleic acid in particular being selected from the group of nucleic acids consisting of:
SEQ ID NO: 105 to SEQ ID NO: 208 and SEQ ID NO: 356,
SEQ ID NO: 387 to SEQ ID NO: 399, or
SEQ ID NO: 425,
in particular:
SEQ ID NO: 163, SEQ ID NO: 128, SEQ ID NO: 147, SEQ ID NO: 180, SEQ ID NO: 181, SEQ ID NO: 118, SEQ ID NO: 425 and SEQ ID NO: 167,
said microRNA being selected in particular from the group of nucleic acids consisting of:
SEQ ID NO: 282 to SEQ ID NO: 354, and SEQ ID NO: 358,
SEQ ID NO: 412 to SEQ ID NO: 423, or
SEQ ID NO: 427,
in particular SEQ ID NO: 319, SEQ ID NO: 297, SEQ ID NO: 305, SEQ ID NO: 331, SEQ ID NO: 291, SEQ ID NO: 322 and SEQ ID NO: 427.

14. Composition comprising at least: for use as a human or veterinary medicament.

a miPEP as defined according to claim 9,
a nucleic acid encoding said miPEP, or
a vector containing said nucleic acid.

15. Process for modulating the expression of a gene regulated by a microRNA in a eukaryotic plant or animal cell, in particular a human cell,

comprising carrying out a step of accumulation of a miPEP in said eukaryotic cell, said miPEP having: a size from 3 to 100 amino acids, preferably 4 to 20 amino acids, and a peptide sequence identical to that encoded by a nucleotide sequence contained in the primary transcript of a microRNA regulating the expression of said gene, and being capable of modulating the accumulation of said microRNA,
in which the accumulation of said miPEP in said eukaryotic cell induces a modulation of the expression of said gene relative to the expression of said gene without accumulation of said miPEP,
said process not being used for surgical or therapeutic treatment of the human body or animal body, nor for modifying the genetic identity of a human being.

16. A method for promoting the growth and/or development of plants, in particular for modulating the physiological parameters of a plant, in particular the biomass, foliar surface area, flowering, fruit size, production and/or selection of plant seeds, in particular for controlling the parthenocarpy or monoecism of a plant, or for modifying the physiological parameters of plant seeds, in particular germination, establishment of the root system and resistance to water stress, or for preventing or treating plant diseases,in particular for promoting resistance to infectious diseases, comprising administering to a plant in need there of a composition comprising at least: as a phytopharmaceutical agent.

a miPEP as defined according to claim 9,
a nucleic acid encoding said miPEP, or
a vector containing said nucleic acid,

17. A method for production and/or selection of plant seeds, comprising applying a coating or film-coating of said plant seeds a composition comprising at least: as a phytopharmaceutical agent.

a miPEP as defined according claim 9,
a nucleic acid encoding said miPEP, or
a vector containing said nucleic acid,

18. A method for eradicating plants or slowing their growth comprising administering to the plants a composition at least: as a herbicide.

a miPEP as defined according to claim 9,
a nucleic acid encoding said miPEP, or
a vector containing said nucleic acid,

19. A method for eradicating organisms harmful to plants or liable to be classified as such, in particular as insecticide, arachnicide, molluscicide, or rodenticide, comprising applying to a plant or to a support in contact with the plantcomposition comprising at least: as a pesticide.

a miPEP as defined according to claim 9,
a nucleic acid encoding said miPEP, or
a vector containing said nucleic acid,

20. A composition comprising, in combination, a quantity of seeds of a plant and a quantity of a peptide the sequence of which comprises or consists of a sequence identical to that of a miPEP naturally present in said plant, in particular said composition being formulated so as to form a coated seed.

Patent History
Publication number: 20160251402
Type: Application
Filed: May 2, 2016
Publication Date: Sep 1, 2016
Inventors: Jean-Philippe COMBIER (CASTANET TOLOSAN), Dominique LAURES-SERGUES (TOULOUSE), Guillaume BECARD (ODARS), Francois PAYRE (POMPERTUZAT), Serge PLAZA (RAMONVILLE SAINT AGNE), Jerome CAVAILLE (RAMONVILLE SAINT AGNE)
Application Number: 15/143,963
Classifications
International Classification: C07K 14/415 (20060101); C07K 7/06 (20060101); C07K 5/103 (20060101); C07K 7/08 (20060101); C12N 15/63 (20060101); A01N 57/16 (20060101); A01N 65/44 (20060101); A01N 65/20 (20060101); A01N 65/28 (20060101); A01N 65/00 (20060101); A01N 37/46 (20060101); C12Q 1/68 (20060101); A01N 65/08 (20060101);