Comparative Analysis of Cotton Small RNAs and Their Target Genes in Response to Salt Stress.

Zujun Yin,Delong Wang,Wuwei Ye,Yan Li,Xiulan Han,Xiaoqiong Fu,Shuai Wang,Junjuan Wang

doi:10.3390/genes8120369

Abstract

Small RNAs play an important role in regulating plant responses to abiotic stress. Depending on the method of salt application, whether sudden or gradual, plants may experience either salt shock or salt stress, respectively. In this study, small RNA expression in response to salt shock and long-term salt stress in parallel experiments was described. Cotton small RNA libraries were constructed and sequenced under normal conditions, as well as sudden and gradual salt application. A total of 225 cotton microRNAs (miRNAs) were identified and of these 24 were novel miRNAs. There were 88 and 75 miRNAs with differential expression under the salt shock and long-term salt stress, respectively. Thirty one transcripts were found to be targets of 20 miRNA families. Eight targets showed a negative correlation in expression with their corresponding miRNAs. We also identified two TAS3s with two near-identical 21-nt trans-acting small interfering RNA (tasiRNA)-Auxin Response Factors (ARFs) that coaligned with the phases D7(+) and D8(+) in three Gossypium species. The miR390/tasiRNA-ARFs/ARF4 pathway was identified and showed altered expression under salt stress. The identification of these small RNAs as well as elucidating their functional significance broadens our understanding of post-transcriptional gene regulation in response to salt stress.

Highlights

IntroductionSalt stress is the exposure of plants to high salinity, the main component of which is Na+ ions
Salt stress is the exposure of plants to high salinity, the main component of which is Na+ ions.It affects various aspects of plant growth and development, such as inhibition of enzymatic activities and reductions in photosynthetic rates [1]
One group was suddenly transferred from normal growth solution into 150 mM NaCl experienced salt shock h,for

Summary

Introduction

Salt stress is the exposure of plants to high salinity, the main component of which is Na+ ions. It affects various aspects of plant growth and development, such as inhibition of enzymatic activities and reductions in photosynthetic rates [1]. Depending on the method of NaCl application, whether in a single step or gradual, plants experience either salt shock or salt stress mainly with ionic stress component, respectively [2]. The concentration of Na+ reaches a certain toxic level in cell protoplasts of shoots under long-term salt stress [4]. Many genes with altered expression under long-term salt stress maybe involved in responses to toxic cellular concentrations of

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Discussion

Conclusion