title: Genome-wide identification of microRNAs responding to early stages of phosphate deficiency in maize.
abstract: Phosphorus (P) is an essential element involved in numerous biochemical reactions. In plants, stress responses, such as the expression of microRNAs (miRNAs), are induced to help them adapt to low phosphate (Pi) concentrations. In this study, deep sequencing was performed using the roots and leaves of maize seedlings grown under low Pi concentrations to identify miRNAs that are differentially expressed during the early stages of Pi deficiency. Eight small RNA libraries were constructed, and 159 known miRNAs representing 32 miRNA families and 10 novel miRNAs. Members of the miR396 family were extremely abundant. Further, 28 Pi-responsive miRNAs were identified (27 known and 1 novel) of which 8 and 7 were significantly expressed exclusively in leaf and root tissues, respectively. The analysis of Pi-responsive miRNAs target genes suggested that most target genes functioning as transcription factors were involved in root and leaf development. The expression profiles of selected Pi-responsive miRNAs and target genes were confirmed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Moreover, we discuss the significance of the differences in expression patterns of these miRNAs during the early and later stages of Pi starvation. This study provides useful information concerning the role of miRNAs in response to Pi starvation and will further our understanding of the mechanisms governing Pi homeostasis in maize.
authors.affiliation: Key laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Maize in Southwest Region, Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, China.
authors.forename: Zhi
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Nie
authors.affiliation: Key laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Maize in Southwest Region, Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, China.
authors.forename: Zhiyong
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ren
authors.affiliation: Key laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Maize in Southwest Region, Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, China.
authors.forename: Libo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Key laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Maize in Southwest Region, Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, China.
authors.forename: Shunzong
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Su
authors.affiliation: Key laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Maize in Southwest Region, Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, China.
authors.forename: Xuan
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.affiliation: Key laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Maize in Southwest Region, Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, China.
authors.forename: Xiao
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Key laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Maize in Southwest Region, Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, China.
authors.forename: Ling
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Key laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Maize in Southwest Region, Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, China.
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Crop Research Institute, Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chengdu, 610066, China.
authors.forename: Haitao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.affiliation: Key laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Maize in Southwest Region, Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, China.
authors.forename: Hailan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Key laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Maize in Southwest Region, Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, China.
authors.forename: Suzhi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Key laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Maize in Southwest Region, Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, China.
authors.forename: Shibin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gao
mesh_terms: D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D015723:Gene Library; D018745:Genome, Plant / Q000235:genetics*; D059014:High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics*; D010710:Phosphates / Q000172:deficiency*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D018749:RNA, Plant / Q000235:genetics; D036226:Seedlings / Q000235:genetics; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D013312:Stress, Physiological; D003313:Zea mays / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D035683:MicroRNAs; D010710:Phosphates; D018749:RNA, Plant