Fig. 1

Altered expression of miR827 in transgenic plants results in modified progression of leaf senescence. a, d Enhanced senescence induces leaf yellowing in transgenic plants overexpressing miR827 (miR827–OE) during natural leaf senescence (a, left panel) and during artificial dark-induced senescence (d, left panel). Retardation of senescence-induced yellowing in miR827-silenced transgenic plants (miR827–STTM) during natural leaf senescence (a, right panel) and during artificial dark-induced senescence (d, right panel). b, c Effects of overexpression or suppression of miR827 on total chlorophyll (b) and protein (c) contents during natural leaf senescence. e, f Effects of overexpression or suppression of miR827 on total chlorophyll (e) and protein (f) contents during dark-induced leaf senescence. Three independent transgenic lines were examined. Different letters above the columns indicate significant differences within each compared triplet (P < 0.05, Student’s t test, ±SD). WT, wild type