Genome-wide identification of Arabidopsis long noncoding RNAs in response to the blue light

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been shown in animals to play roles in a wide range of biological processes. In plant, light modulates the growth and development as a key external signal. However, little is known about the role of plant lncRNA in response to light. In this study, we sequenced the messenger RNAs (mRNAs), lncRNAs and microRNAs (miRNAs) in Arabidopsis seedlings under blue light for 2 h and 8 h. Compared to dark, we identified 4197 mRNAs, 375 miRNAs and 481 lncRNAs, or 5207 mRNAs, 286 miRNAs and 545 lncRNAs of differential expressions under blue light treatments for 2 h or 8 h respectively. Subsequently, a total of 407 competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) pairs (lncRNA-mRNA-miRNA) were constructed. We identified a blue light-induced lncRNA which plays roles in blue light-directed plant photomorphogenesis and response to mannitol stress by serving as a ceRNA to sequester miR167 in a type of target mimicry. These results revealed previously unknown roles of the lncRNA in blue light signaling and mannitol stress, and provided useful resources of lncRNAs associated with miRNAs in response to blue light.