Comprehensive Profiling of the miRNome and Degradome Reveals Regulatory Signatures of Seed Aging and Germination.

ABSTRACT: Small noncoding RNAs are recognized as crucial regulators of seed germination, but their role in seed aging remains unclear. To address this, we performed RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) on barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) seeds with varying viability levels after long-term storage in hermetically sealed containers since the 1972 harvest. This globally unique material, characterized by genetic homogeneity and contrasting germination capacities, enabled an in-depth analysis of microtranscriptomic changes during germination. We identified 62 known miRNAs from 11 families and 234 novel miRNAs, with miR159, miR168, and miR166 showing consistently high expression across all germination stages and viability groups. Differential expression analysis revealed 28 miRNAs whose abundance varied significant

SUBMITTER: Puchta-Jasinska M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12525370 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature