Differential Expression of microRNAs in Maize Inbred and Hybrid Lines during Salt and Drought Stress

Yeqin Kong, Axel A. Elling, Beibei Chen, Xingwang Deng

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DOI: 10.4236/ajps.2010.12009                

Abstract

Here, we analyzed whether the microRNA (miRNA) expression levels differ between maize inbred lines B73 and Mo17 and their reciprocal hybrids under salt and drought stress. We found that miR156, miR164, miR166, miR168, miR171 and miR319 are differentially expressed under abiotic stress. Interestingly, Mo17 × B73 showed the strongest change in miRNA expression in response to salt or drought stress, and was also the most resilient line when under abiotic stress in terms of water loss. In summary, our findings open the possibility that differential miRNA expression levels might be involved in heightened stress tolerance in maize hybrids.

Keywords

microRNA, Maize, Hybrid, Inbred, Salt Stress, Drought

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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