Identification of conserved miRNA molecules in einkorn wheat (Triticum monococcum subsp. monococcum) by using small RNA sequencing analysis

Abstract

Triticum monococcum subsp. monococcum as a first cultivated diploid wheat species possesses desirable agronomic and qualitycharacteristics. Drought and salinity are the most dramatic environmental stress factors that have serious impact on yield and qualityof crops; however, plants can use alternative defense mechanisms against these stresses. The posttranscriptional alteration of geneexpression by microRNAs (miRNAs) is one of the most conserved mechanisms. In plant species including wheat genomes, miRNAshave been implicated in the management of salt and drought stress; however, studies on einkorn wheat (Triticum monococcum subsp.monococcum) are not yet available. In this study, we aimed to identify conserved miRNAs in einkorn wheat using next generationsequencing technology and bioinformatics analysis. In order to include a larger set of miRNAs, small RNA molecules from pooledplant samples grown under normal, drought, and salinity conditions were used for the library preparation and sequence analysis.After bioinformatics analysis, we identified 167 putative mature miRNA sequences belonging to 140 distinct miRNA families. We alsopresented a comparative analysis to propose that miRNAs and their target genes were involved in salt and drought stress control inaddition to a comprehensive analysis of the scanned target genes in the T. aestivum genome.