Meta-analysis of potential miRNA in Triticum astivum reveals their genome biased association with different metabolisms EST based potential miRNA identification in wheat

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are the key modulators implicated in the regulation of virtually every biological process found in multicellular eukaryotes. Wheat (Triticum aestivum) is one of the most important cereal crops worldwide. To date, only a few conserved miRNAs have been reported in wheat and their association with different metabolic process is still in dark. Therefore, the present study we attempt to predict miRNA and their association with metabolic pathways in wheat. Total 39 potential mature miRNA's were predicted using 1287279 ESTs of wheat and 8496 known mature miRNA's, along with their precursor sequences, of Viridiplantae. Overall, 11380 genome wise target genes across 21 chromosomes were identified and functionally characterized via meta-analysis. As a result, genome wise miRNA-targets signatures under different conditions and their regulatory pathways along with network structures were examined. Here, a concept of “miRNA community” was proposed and a miRNA community linked with nitrogen metabolism was identified. Top two potential miRNA's from this community were verified by stem loop pulsed RT-PCR for their expression in root and leaf tissue under nitrogen starvation. Exploration of such type of miRNAs communities will provide in depth understanding of metabolic processes that may leads to improved genotypes.