In our

study, a gene encoding ARF was up-regulated during kernel development, suggesting that it also plays a similar role in differentiation during maize embryogenesis. Moreover, many putative protein kinase genes were differentially expressed at various times, which were involved in signaling transduction pathway during maize ear development. For example, homeobox–leucine zipper family protein, a member of the LRR (leucine-rich repeat family protein) subfamily, might be required to increase cell size and the rate of embryonic development. A gene encoding a homeobox–leucine zipper family protein was up-regulated from 15 to 25 DAP, suggesting that this kinase might function in forming organs in the maize embryo. Therefore, we deduced that the accumulation of bZIP transcripts, MADS box-like proteins, and click here putative laccase resulting PI3K Inhibitor Library from the down-regulation of miR528 might enhance auxin response and, in turn, seed germination in the final stage of seed development (after 22 DAP). However, further work is required to elucidate the functions of these protein kinases. By constructing a small RNA library and characterizing miRNA expression profiles in pooled maize ears at 10, 15, 20, 22, 25 and 30 DAP, at least 21 miRNAs were differentially

expressed. qRT-PCR verification for miR528a and miR167a/miR160b indicated that these miRNAs might be involved in ear development and germination. In addition, functional predictions of target genes indicated that most of

these differentially expressed miRNAs tended to have target genes that were involved in signal transduction and cell communication, particularly those involved in the auxin-signaling pathway. The results of gene expression analysis of candidate germination-associated miRNAs performed by microarray hybridization with a maize genome array demonstrated the differential expression of genes involved in plant hormone signaling pathways. This suggested that phytohormones might play a critical Aldehyde dehydrogenase role in the maize ear developmental process. We showed that in combination with other miRNAs, miR528a regulates a putative laccase, a Ring-H2 zinc finger protein and a MADS box-like protein, whereas miR167a and miR160b regulate target genes including ARF (auxin response factor), a member of the B3 transcription factor family that is important for ear germination and physiology. Thus the small RNA transcriptomes and mRNA obtained in this study provide considerable insight into the expression and function of small RNAs in the development of viviparous kernels. This study was supported by grants from the Educational Commission of Sichuan Province (No. 2006J13-039), the Doctoral Program Foundation of Institutions of Higher Education of China (No. 20095103120002), and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 30900901). “
“Rye (Secale cereale L.) is an important cereal crop worldwide.