Expression profile of the candidate novel miRNAs in A. gossypii during a resistant interaction.

Mature miRNA expression level was estimated by quantitative real time PCR using RNA isolated from aphids feeding on a Vat+ and Vat− plants for 48 h. The expression levels were normalized using eF1α as an internal reference gene. The fold changes were calculated using Pfaffl's method and represents change in the expression level of miRNA relative to aphid on Vat− plant as control. Data are averages of seven independent replicates ± standard error of mean. Significance between Vat+ and Vat− aphid was determined by student's t-test, and is represented by * (p≤0.05).