Identification and Function Analysis of Novel microRNAs by Computers in Capra Hircus

摘要

MicroRNAs are a class of non-protein coding small RNAs that regulate genes expression at post-transcriptional levels. Increasing evidence indicates miRNAs play key roles in a broad range of biological processes. In this study, based on the phylogenetic conservation of microRNAs, a combined bioinformatics and sequences homology comparison approach was used for the identification and function analysis of novel miRNA candidates in Capra hircus. As a result, a total of 13 potential microRNA candidates were detected following a range of filtering criteria. 153 non-redundant presumable target genes were predicted in Ovis aries 3'-Untranslated region database. 149 protein sequences were mapped by BLASTX, 2,517 GO terms were returned and distributed in biological process, molecular function and cell component. 66 KEGG pathways were also involved by these novel miRNAs. The qRT-PCR based assay was performed to validate the authenticity of these novel miRNA candidates. The results indicate the expressed sequence tags analysis is an efficient and affordable approach for identifying novel microRNA candidates, and our study provides insight into the further researches of miRNAs and their functions in Capra hircus.