A bioinformatics study of miRNAs and their regulating targets in Curcuma longa (turmeric)

Abstract

microRNAs are small, endogenous, noncoding RNA, work at post-transcriptional level and control the gene regulation in animals and plants. Turmeric is an Asian medicinal plant known for its medicinal properties. The present work focused on identification of the miRNAs take part in the developmental process of turmeric. Eight miRNA families (miR156, miR157, miR159, miR170, miR171, miR319, miR396 and miR5015) were identified by using bioinformatics approach. Phylogenetic analysis of selective miRNAs was performed. Six miRNA families were observed to regulate eighty-six target transcripts. Our results further indicated their role in binding, reproduction, stress and other developmental process. Gene annotation and pathway analysis illustrate the biological function of the targets regulated by the putative miRNAs. Involvement of miR156 and miR5015 in the regulation of rhizome development was also observed. Other miRNAs were found to be involved in the growth and developmental process of turmeric. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on miRNA prediction and regulation in turmeric.