Identification and characterization of DICER-LIKE genes and their roles in Marchantia polymorpha development and stress adaptation

The four DICER-LIKE genes, MpDCL1a, MpDCl1b, MpDCL3 and MpDCL4 were knocked out in Marchantia polymorpha and the generated knockout lines were sequenced together with a WT control at standard growth conditions to generate sRNA and mRNA sequence data and determine how mutated DCLs affect sRNA biosynthesis general gene expression. MpDCL1b and WT were additionally sequenced at cultivation on 100 mM NaCl to check for genes affecting the salt tolerance of M. polymorpha and to reveal genes/sRNAs determining the increased salt tolerance of Mpdcl1b mutant lines.