Genome-wide analysis for discovery of rice microRNAs reveals natural antisense microRNAs (nat-miRNAs).

ABSTRACT: Small RNAs (21-24 nt) are involved in gene regulation through translation inhibition, mRNA cleavage, or directing chromatin modifications. In rice, currently approximately 240 microRNAs (miRNAs) have been annotated. We sequenced more than four million small RNAs from rice and identified another 24 miRNA genes. Among these, we found a unique class of miRNAs that derive from natural cis-antisense transcript pairs. This configuration generates miRNAs that can perfectly match their targets. We provide evidence that the miRNAs function by inducing mRNA cleavage in the middle of their complementary site. Their production requires Dicer-like 1 (DCL1) activity, which is essential for canonical miRNA biogenesis. All of the natural antisense miRNAs (nat-miRNAs) identified in this study have large in

SUBMITTER: Lu C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2290808 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature