Genome-wide Characterization of MicroRNAs from Mungbean (Vigna radiata L.)

Aims: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous, short (~21-nucleotide), non-coding RNA molecules that play important roles in post-transcriptional gene silencing by directing target mRNA cleavage or translational inhibition. The main aim of this study is to identify and characterize miRNAs from economically important and high stress tolerant crop mungbean (Vigna radiata L.).

Study Design: Conserved miRNAs and their targets were characterized from mungbean using computational and RT-PCR approach.

Place and Duration of Study: Division of Plant Biology, Bose Institute, P 1/12 CIT Scheme VII M, Kolkata- 700054, India between January 2011- November 2015.

Methodology: Conserved miRNAs and their targets from mungbean were identified in this study using homology based strict filtering approach. Software tools such as mfold and psRNATarget were used during this study. Predicted mungbean miRNAs were validated by RT-PCR technique.

Results: In this study using recently published draft genome sequence of mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) and applying genome-wide computational-based approaches a total of 56 potentially conserved microRNAs belonging to 28 families were identified. 3 putative mungbean miRNAs (vra-miR160a, vra-miR162b and vra-miR398b) were successfully validated by RT-PCR. Using psRNATarget tool a total of 88 potential miRNA target transcripts were also recognized for the identified mungbean miRNAs which include a number of transcription factors.

Conclusion: For the first time 56 conserved microRNAs and 88 potential target sequences were identified in mungbean. Predicted target transcripts were found to be involved in development, metabolism and stress responses.