Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are one class of
endogenous non-coding RNAs modulating the expression of target genes involved
in plant development and stress tolerance, by degrading mRNA or repressing
translation. In this study, small RNA and mRNA degradome sequencing were used
to identify low- and high-temperature stress-responsive miRNAs and their
targets in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum). Cotton seedlings were treated under different
temperature conditions (4, 12, 25, 35, and 42 °C) and then the effects were
investigated. In total, 319 known miRNAs and 800 novel miRNAs were identified,
and 168 miRNAs were differentially expressed between different treatments. The
targets of these miRNAs were further analysed by degradome sequencing. Based on
studies from Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes, the
majority of the miRNAs are from genes that are likely involved in response to
hormone stimulus, oxidation-reduction reaction, photosynthesis, plant–pathogen
interaction and plant hormone signal transduction pathways. This study provides
new insight into the molecular mechanisms of plant response to extreme
temperature stresses, and especially the roles of miRNAs under extreme
temperatures.
PMID:27752116 IF=5.228