Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a family of 19- to 25-nucleotides small non-coding RNAs that play important roles in regulation of many developmental processes in animals and plants, including flower development. In this study, the cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) genetic male sterile (GMS) line and its maintainer line were used to detect miRNAs related to male sterility. Using a bioinformatic approach and miRNA microarray analysis, we identified 33 potential miRNAs belonging to 27 families in cotton. miRNA microarray and quantitative real-time PCR assays showed that miRNAs expressed differently at the sporogenous cell, pollen mother cell and pollen grain stages between the cotton GMS and its maintainer line. These cotton miRNAs may regulate 35 potential target genes involved in cotton growth and development, signal transduction and metabolism pathways. The expressions of four targets were contrary to the expression of their corresponding miRNAs. These findings enhance our understanding of the roles of miRNAs during fertile and sterile anther development.

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