Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous small non-coding RNAs of about 20–24 nt, known to play key roles in post-transcriptional gene regulation, that can be coded either by intergenic or intragenic loci. Intragenic (exonic and intronic) miRNAs can exert a role in the transcriptional regulation and RNA processing of their host gene. Moreover, the possibility that the biogenesis of exonic miRNAs could destabilize the corresponding protein-coding transcript and reduce protein synthesis makes their characterization very intriguing and suggests a possible novel mechanism of post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression.This work was designed to carry out the computational identification of putative exonic miRNAs in 30 plant species and the analysis of possible mechanisms involved in their regulation.The results obtained represent a useful starting point for future studies on the complex networks involved in microRNA-mediated gene regulation in plants.
Highlights
MicroRNAs are endogenous small non-coding RNAs of about 20–24 nt, known to play key roles in post-transcriptional gene regulation, that can be coded either by intergenic or intragenic loci
This work was designed to carry out the computational identification of putative exonic miRNAs in plants by taking advantage of the huge amount of ESTs available for many species
The results presented in this work can be considered as a valuable support for future studies on the complex networks involved in miRNA-mediated gene regulation in plants
Summary
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous small non-coding RNAs of about 20–24 nt, known to play key roles in post-transcriptional gene regulation, that can be coded either by intergenic or intragenic loci. TCs hosting miRNA precursors are reported in Additional file 2.
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