Identification and characterization of coldresponsive microRNAs in tea plant (Camellia sinensis) and their targets using high-throughput sequencing and degradome analysis

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are approximately 19 ~ 21 nucleotide noncoding RNAs produced by Dicer-catalyzed excision from stem-loop precursors. Many plant miRNAs have critical functions in development, nutrient homeostasis, abiotic stress responses, and pathogen responses via interaction with specific target mRNAs.