Abstract: A conserved monocot-specific miRNA, miR528, is described that can be utilized for mediating multiple stress responses and/or mediating morphological aspects of plant development. Also described are transgenic plant cells, plant parts such as seeds and plants as well as progeny of the seeds and plants that include a recombinant polynucleotide including a nucleic acid molecule encoding miR528. Also disclosed are targets of miR528, all of which appear to function in oxidation-reduction processes.