Identification of miRNAs in sweet potato by Solexa sequencing

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small endogenous RNAs, involved in plant growth and development as well as in stress responses. Among them, some are highly evolutionally conserved in the plant kingdom, which provides a powerful strategy for identifying miRNAs in a new species. Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) is one of the important food crops in the world, but few of its miRNAs have been determined. In this study, a total of 24 conserved miRNAs belonged to 14 miRNA families, and 16 novel miRNAs were identified by deep sequencing. Using previously established protocols, a total of 48 potential target genes were predicted for the conserved and novel miRNAs. These target genes are involved in transcription, metabolism, defense response, oxidationreduction processes, etc. Overall, this study provides information concerning the miRNAs precursors in I. batatas, mature miRNAs, and miRNA targets, and it is valuable as the basis for the future research of miRNA functions in I. batatas.