Identification of microRNAs and their targets in Finger millet by high throughput sequencing

• First of its study, reports 95 conserved and 3 novel miRNAs from Finger millet by high throughput sequencing
• RT-qPCR and gel blot studies were performed to analyse differential expression patterns and tissue specificity of miRNA
• 507 targets were predicted and GO annotations indicated that miRNA were involved in wide range of regulatory functions
• Functional characterization of novel miRNA genes showed the presences of WRKY710S, MYCCONSENSUSAT motifs.

MicroRNAs are short non-coding RNAs which play an important role in regulating gene expression by mRNA cleavage or by translational repression. The majority of identified miRNAs were evolutionarily conserved; however, others expressed in a species-specific manner. Finger millet is an important cereal crop; nonetheless, no practical information is available on microRNAs to date. In this study, we have identified 95 conserved microRNAs belonging to 39 families and 3 novel microRNAs by high throughput sequencing. For the identified conserved and novel miRNAs a total of 507 targets were predicted. 11 miRNAs were validated and tissue specificity was determined by stem loop RT-qPCR, Northern blot. GO analyses revealed targets of miRNA were involved in wide range of regulatory functions. This study implies large number of known and novel miRNAs found in Finger millet which may play important role in growth and development.