Abstract
To identify the known and novel microRNAs (miRNAs) and their targets that are involved in the response and adaptation of maize (Zea mays) to salt stress, miRNAs and their targets were identified by a combined analysis of the deep sequencing of small RNAs (sRNA) and degradome libraries. The identities were confirmed by a quantitative expression analysis with over 100 million raw reads of sRNA and degradome sequences. A total of 1040 previously known miRNAs were identified from four maize libraries, with 762 and 726 miRNAs derived from leaves and roots, respectively, and 448 miRNAs that were common between the leaves and roots. A total of 37 potential new miRNAs were selected based on the same criteria in response to salt stress. In addition to known miR167 and miR164 species, novel putative miR167 and miR164 species were also identified. Deep sequencing of miRNAs and the degradome [with quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analyses of their targets] showed that more than one species of novel miRNA may play key roles in the response to salinity in maize. Furthermore, the interaction between miRNAs and their targets may play various roles in different parts of maize in response to salinity.
Highlights
In plant–environment coevolution, plants mount a series of regulatory mechanisms in the cellular, physiological, biochemical, and molecular processes to protect themselves from different kinds of unfavorable conditions (Covarrubias and Reyes, 2010)
Maize seedlings grown under a 250 mM NaCl solution treatment provided a phenotype of salt stress: the leaves turned yellow and wilted, the aerial roots grew to a large quantity, and the branches of the roots increased and became thinner (Figure 1A)
The abundance of extremely conserved miRNAs has been determined, such as miR156, miR159, miR164, miR166, miR167, miR168, and miR398, which was very similar to previous reports
Summary
In plant–environment coevolution, plants mount a series of regulatory mechanisms in the cellular, physiological, biochemical, and molecular processes to protect themselves from different kinds of unfavorable conditions (Covarrubias and Reyes, 2010). High salinity is one of the most wideranging and severe abiotic stresses that restrains plant growth and development, and negatively affects plant yield and product quality (Krasensky and Jonak, 2012). Many studies suggest that differing levels of expression for specific genes is a significant strategy for plants to combat salinity stress at the post-transcriptional stage (Covarrubias and Reyes, 2010; Huang et al, 2012). Maize is one of the most important crops in the world for its role in food, feed, and biofuel. An increasing number of studies are being conducted on maize
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