Functional validation of miRNA target genes in abiotic stress in Hippophae salicifolia

miRNAs are non-coding, single-stranded RNAs and are known to regulate the expression of genes during the post-transcription process. Seabuckthorn (Hippophae sp.; Elaeagnaceae) plant grows in different regions in harsh environmental conditions and is tolerant to various abiotic stress prevailing in the Indian Himalayas. Therefore, it is of interest to document the functional assignment of miRNA target genes to abiotic stress in Hippophae salicifolia using available bioinformatics tools. We identified eleven miRNA target genes in the seabuckthorn transcriptome. The expression analysis of these miRNA target genes provides important information about the regulation of stressresponsive defense mechanisms in seabuckthorn. Understanding of the role of these putative miRNAs and their target genes in cold and heat tolerance provides insights to determine the potential targets for the exploitation towards the development of stress-tolerant crop plants.