Characterization of cadmium-responsive MicroRNAs and their target genes in maize (Zea mays) roots

• DOI: 10.1186/s12867-019-0131-1
• Publication Date: 2019-05-02T14:04:23Z
• Authors: Jian Gao; Mao Luo; Hua Peng; Fabo Chen; Wenbo Li
• Keywords: 2. Zero hunger; 0301 basic medicine; Sequence Analysis, RNA; Plant Roots; Zea mays; Chromosomes, Plant; MicroRNAs; 03 medical and health sciences; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; Seedlings; Stress, Physiological; Soil Pollutants; Research Article; Cadmium; Plant Proteins

Current research has shown that microRNAs (miRNAs) play vital roles in plant response to stress caused by heavy metals such as aluminum, arsenic, cadmium (Cd), and mercury. Cd become one of the most hazardous pollutants environment. Maize can be a potential model study phytoremediation Cd-contaminated soil owing its large biomass production. However, little is known about miRNAs maize. To investigate role stress, roots seedlings inbred maize lines B73 Mo17 were collected treated with 200 mg/L CdCl2·2.5 H2O over different exposure times. Enzyme activities superoxide dismutase peroxidase measured confirm stress. The expression six candidate their targets validated using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) technology. In addition, Zma-miR171b was assessed situ hybridization. Our results showed respective target genes differentially expressed seedling exposed This produced new insights into molecular mechanism responsive plants sheds light on latent metal stresses.