Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: Objective
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are genome-encoded, small non-coding RNAs that play important functions in development, biotic and abiotic stress responses, and other processes. Our aim was to explore the regulation of miRNA expression.Methods
We used bioinformatics methods to predict the core promoters of 440 miRNAs identified from a soybean (Glycine max) degradome library and to analyze cis-acting elements for 369 miRNAs.Results
The prediction results showed that 83.86% of the 440 miRNAs contained promoters in their upstream sequences, and 8.64% (38 loci) in their downstream sequences. The distributions of two core promoter elements, TATA-boxes and transcription start sites (TSSs), were similar. The cis-acting elements were examined to provide clues to the function and regulation of spatiotemporal expression of the miRNAs. Analyses of miRNA cis-elements and targets indicated a potential auxin response factor (ARF)- and gibberellin response factor (GARF)-mediated negative feedback loop for miRNA expression.Conclusions
The features of miRNAs from a Glycine max degradome library obtained here provide insights into the transcription regulation and functions of miRNAs in soybean.
SUBMITTER: Han YQ
PROVIDER: S-EPMC3924388 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Feb
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Han Yi-qiang YQ Hu Zheng Z Zheng Dian-feng DF Gao Ya-mei YM
Journal of Zhejiang University. Science. B 20140201 2
<h4>Objective</h4>MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are genome-encoded, small non-coding RNAs that play important functions in development, biotic and abiotic stress responses, and other processes. Our aim was to explore the regulation of miRNA expression.<h4>Methods</h4>We used bioinformatics methods to predict the core promoters of 440 miRNAs identified from a soybean (Glycine max) degradome library and to analyze cis-acting elements for 369 miRNAs.<h4>Results</h4>The prediction results showed that 83.86% of ...[more]