Identification of chilling stress-responsive tomato microRNAs and their target genes by high-throughput sequencing and degradome analysis

摘要

BackgroundMicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of noncoding small RNAs (sRNAs) that are 20–24 nucleotides (nt) in length. Extensive studies have indicated that miRNAs play versatile roles in plants, functioning in processes such as growth, development and stress responses. Chilling is a common abiotic stress that seriously affects plants growth and development. Recently, chilling-responsive miRNAs have been detected in several plant species. However, little is known about the miRNAs in the model plant tomato. ‘LA1777’ (Solanum habrochaites) has been shown to survive chilling stress due to its various characteristics.