Morteza Barati - Department of Production Engineering & Plant Genetics, University of Zanjan, Iran.
Mohammad Reza Azimi - Department of Production Engineering & Plant Genetics, University of Zanjan, Iran.
Mohammad Reza Naghavi - Agricultral & Natural Resourses Collage, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran
Ehsan Mohsenifard - Department of Production Engineering & Plant Genetics, University of Zanjan, Iran.

MicroRNAs are small RNAs known for their essential roles in regulating both biotic and abiotic stress responses. Drought stress poses a significant challenge to wheat productivity in Iran. The present study evaluated the expression of miR۹۸۶۳a and its target genes in wheat, as well as three Aegilops species under drought stress. The results revealed differential expression of miR۹۸۶۳a in the shoots of the studied plants under drought stress conditions. Specifically its expression was increased in Ae. tauschii and Ae. crassa, while decreasing in Ae. cylindrica. The observed differential expression could be explained by the inherent nature of miRNA as a mediator molecule in various biological processes. Analyzing the expression pattern of miR۹۸۶۳a and its target genes in Ae. tauschii suggests that the effect of miR۹۸۶۳a in response to drought stress may be attributed to PLGG۱, impacting glycerate/glycolate transfers and SAR۱A,  influencing trafficking of transcription factors from the endoplasmic reticulum to the nucleus. In addition to complementing previous studies on the role of miR۹۸۶۳ in countering plant diseases, the results presented here  illustrate how this miRNA assists the abiotic stress-response mechanism in plants, particularly in the context of drought stress.

Crassa, Cylindrica, PLGG۱, qRT-PCR, SAR۱A, tauschii