Genome-wide profiling of miRNAs during seed development reveals their functional relevance in seed size/weight determination in chickpea.

ABSTRACT: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are non-coding small RNAs that regulate gene expression at transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. The role of miRNAs in seed development and seed size/weight determination is poorly understood in legumes. In this study, we profiled miRNAs at seven successive stages of seed development in a small-seeded and a large-seeded chickpea cultivar via small RNA sequencing. In total, 113 known and 243 novel miRNAs were identified. Gene ontology analysis revealed the enrichment of seed/reproductive/post-embryonic development and signaling pathways processes among the miRNA target genes. A large fraction of the target genes exhibited antagonistic correlation with miRNA expression. The sets of co-expressed miRNAs showing differential expression between the two cultivars wer

SUBMITTER: Khemka N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7954459 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature