Abstract: Kernel trait is important to yield, it is the final embodiment of grain yield and one of the most complicated traits in breeding. Kernel is mainly composed of embryo and endosperm. Endosperm is the organ where nutrients are accumulated and stored, which mainly provides nutrition for embryo germination and growth. The development, proliferation and enrichment of endosperm cells determine the weight and quality of kernel. Kernel development is a very complicated biological process, involving the temporal and spatial expression of many genes and the regulation of transcription level and post-transcription level. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of endogenous non-coding small RNA (21～24 nt), which can regulate gene expression in plants at post-transcriptional level through targeted degradation and translation inhibition. miRNA and its target genes form a precise regulatory network to participate in seed development. Based on this, the generation and mechanism of plant miRNAs was summarized, and the research progress of miRNAs regulatory function in plant embryo and endosperm development was also summarized, so as to provide better research direction for further identification of miRNAs related to maize kernel development and analysis of their regulatory function.

Key words: miRNA, embryo, endosperm, development, regulation

摘要： 籽粒性状是构成产量的重要基础，是粮食产量的最终体现，也是育种最复杂的性状之一。籽粒主要由胚和胚乳组成，胚乳是积累和贮藏营养物质的场所，主要为胚的萌发和生长提供营养。胚乳细胞的发育、增殖和充实情况决定了籽粒的重量和品质。籽粒发育是一个非常复杂的生物过程，涉及许多基因的时空表达以及转录水平和转录后水平的调控。微小RNA（microRNAs，miRNAs）是一类内源性的非编码小RNA（21～24 nt），可通过靶向降解和翻译抑制在转录后水平调控植物基因表达。miRNA及其靶基因组成精密的调控网络参与籽粒的发育。基于此，概述了植物miRNAs的生成及作用机制，综述了miRNAs在植物胚和胚乳发育中的调控功能研究进展，以期为进一步鉴定与玉米籽粒发育相关的miRNAs并解析其调控功能提供更好的研究方向。

关键词: miRNA, 胚, 胚乳, 发育, 调控