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Computational prediction of microRNA genes in silkworm genome

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Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) constitute a novel, extensive class of small RNAs (∼21 nucleotides), and play important gene-regulation roles during growth and development in various organisms. Here we conducted a homology search to identify homologs of previously validated miRNAs from silkworm genome. We identified 24 potential miRNA genes, and gave each of them a name according to the common criteria. Interestingly, we found that a great number of newly identified miRNAs were conserved in silkworm and Drosophila, and family alignment revealed that miRNA families might possess single nucleotide polymorphisms. miRNA gene clusters and possible functions of complement miRNA pairs are discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Biochemistry, School of Life Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310029, China

    Tong Chuan-zhou & Jin Yong-feng

  2. Institute of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Zhejiang Science and Technology University, Hangzhou, 310018, China

    Zhang Yao-zhou

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  1. Tong Chuan-zhou
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  2. Jin Yong-feng
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Correspondence to Jin Yong-feng.

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Project supported by the Program for New Century Excellent Talents in University (No. NCET-04-0531) and the National Basic Research Program (973) of China (No. 2005CB12100)

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Tong, Cz., Jin, Yf. & Zhang, Yz. Computational prediction of microRNA genes in silkworm genome. J. Zhejiang Univ. - Sci. B 7, 806–816 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1631/jzus.2006.B0806

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1631/jzus.2006.B0806

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