# miRNA–mRNA integrated analysis reveals candidate genes associated with salt stress response in Halophytic Sonneratia apetala

## TL;DR

This study identifies genes and pathways in Sonneratia apetala roots that help the plant tolerate salt stress, using combined mRNA and miRNA analysis.

## Contribution

The study provides the first global transcriptome analysis of S. apetala roots under salt stress and identifies miRNA-target interactions.

## Key findings

- 6,686 genes showed significant differential accumulation in response to salt stress.
- Key pathways include phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, plant-pathogen interaction, and protein processing.
- Regulatory interactions between miRNA and target genes were identified during salt stress.

## Abstract

Sonneratia apetala is a pioneering species of mangrove plants, which has evolved various mechanisms to tolerate salt-stress due to their long-term exposure to a salinized environment as compared to the of terrestrial freshwater plants. However, limited attempt has been made to uncover the underlying molecular mechanism of their saline adaptation. Here, we integrated mRNA and microRNA (miRNA) sequencing to identify the genes and pathways that may be involved in salt stress-response in the roots of S. apetala. A comprehensive full‑length transcriptome containing 295,501 high‑quality unigenes was obtained by PacBio sequencing technology. Of these, 6,686 genes exhibited significantly differential accumulation after salt stress treatment (p < 0.001, Q < 0.01). They were mainly implicated in plant signal transduction and diverse metabolic pathways, such as those involving phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, plant-pathogen interaction and protein processing. Also, our results identified the regulatory interaction between miRNA-target counterparts during salt stress. Taken together, we present the first global overview of the transcriptome of S. apetala roots, and identify potentially important genes and pathways associated with salt tolerance for further investigation. This study is expected to deliver novel insights in understanding the regulatory mechanism in S. apetala response to salt stress.