Abstract: ptc-miR801 was identified from P.cathayana by microRNA library sequence, and it had been confirmed that ptc-miR801 was induced by salt stress. The putative targets were NAC-domain protein and Scarecrow-like gene, which were shown to play important roles in response to salt stress. To investigate the function of ptc-miR801, the artificial miR801 plant expression vector was constructed and transformed into Arabidopsis thaliana. Transformed plants were confirmed by PCR and RT-PCR. The results showed that amiRNA transcript level was markedly improved in transgenic plant compared with non-transgenic plants and the overexpression of ptc-miR801 could enhance the salt tolerance of transgenic plants. Our results would help to clarify the molecular mechanism of P.cathayana under salt stress.

Key words: miRNA, expression vector, Arabidopsis thaliana, salt stress