Genome-wide analysis of microRNA156 and its targets, the genes encoding SQUAMOSA promoter-binding protein-like (SPL) transcription factors, in the grass family Poaceae / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

ABSTRACT

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous small non-coding RNAs that play an important role in post-transcriptional gene regulation in plants and animals by targeting messenger RNAs (mRNAs) for cleavage or repressing translation of specific mRNAs. The first miRNA identified in plants, miRNA156 (miR156), targets the SQUAMOSA promoter-binding protein-like (SPL) transcription factors, which play critical roles in plant phase transition, flower and plant architecture, and fruit development. We identified multiple copies of