Genome-wide investigation of microRNAs and expression profiles during rhizome development in ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe)

Abstract Background MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous, non-coding small functional RNAs that govern the post-transcriptional regulatory system of gene expression and control the growth and development of plants. Ginger is an herb that is well-known for its flavor and medicinal properties. The genes involved in ginger rhizome development and secondary metabolism have been discovered, but the genome-wide identification of miRNAs and their overall expression profiles and targets during ginger rhizome development are largely unknown. In this study, we used BGISEQ-500 technology to perform genome-wide identification of miRNAs from the leaf, stem, root, flower, and rhizome of ginger during three development stages. Results In total, 104 novel miRNAs and 160 conserved miRNAs in 28 miRNA families were identified. A total of 181 putative target genes for novel miRNAs and 2772 putative target genes for conserved miRNAs were predicted. Transcriptional factors were the most abundant target genes of miRNAs, and 17, 9, 8, 4, 13, 8, 3 conserved miRNAs and 5, 7, 4, 5, 5, 15, 9 novel miRNAs showed significant tissue-specific expression patterns in leaf, stem, root, flower, and rhizome. Additionally, 53 miRNAs were regarded as rhizome development-associated miRNAs, which mostly participate in metabolism, signal transduction, transport, and catabolism, suggesting that these miRNAs and their target genes play important roles in the rhizome development of ginger. Twelve candidate miRNA target genes were selected, and then, their credibility was confirmed using qRT-PCR. As the result of qRT-PCR analysis, the expression of 12 candidate target genes showed an opposite pattern after comparison with their miRNAs. The rhizome development system of ginger was observed to be governed by miR156, miR319, miR171a_2, miR164, and miR529, which modulated the expression of the SPL, MYB, GRF, SCL, and NAC genes, respectively. Conclusion This is a deep genome-wide investigation of miRNA and identification of miRNAs involved in rhizome development in ginger. We identified 52 rhizome-related miRNAs and 392 target genes, and this provides an important basis for understanding the molecular mechanisms of the miRNA target genes that mediate rhizome development in ginger.

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MicroRNA Involvement in Osteosarcoma

Sarcoma ◽

10.1155/2012/359739 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 2012 ◽

pp. 1-8 ◽

Cited By ~ 81

Author(s):

Eisuke Kobayashi ◽

Francis J. Hornicek ◽

Zhenfeng Duan

Keyword(s):

Mirna Expression ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Target Genes ◽

Expression Profiles ◽

Expression Patterns ◽

Therapeutic Targets ◽

Research Field ◽

Genome Wide ◽

Mirna Expression Profiles ◽

Novel Biomarkers

Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common primary malignant bone tumor, usually arising in the long bones of adolescents and young adults. While our knowledge of the molecular pathogenesis of OS has increased in recent years, we are still far from a comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanisms of the disease, such as its tumorigenesis, specific mediators of disease progression, occurrence of chemoresistance, and development of metastasis. After the recent discovery of microRNAs (miRNAs), their critical roles in molecular biological processes have been of great interest in the cancer research field, including research on sarcomas. MiRNAs are highly conserved noncoding RNAs which play important roles as oncogenic or suppressive genes to simultaneously regulate multiple targets. Recent genome-wide screening using miRNA expression profiles has identified specific miRNA expression patterns that are associated with the biological and clinical properties of cancers. Additionally, miRNAs and their target genes or proteins can be potential novel biomarkers or therapeutic targets for cancer. However, there are several challenges that must be addressed in order to translate miRNA-based therapeutics to the clinical setting. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of the roles that miRNAs play in OS, and highlight their potential as biomarkers or therapeutic targets.

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Characterization of the microRNA Expression Profiles in the Goat Kid Liver

Frontiers in Genetics ◽

10.3389/fgene.2021.794157 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Xiaodong Zhao ◽

Zhibin Ji ◽

Rong Xuan ◽

Aili Wang ◽

Qing Li ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Differential Expression ◽

Fatty Acid Synthase ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Target Genes ◽

Expression Profiles ◽

Expression Patterns ◽

Metabolic Process ◽

Liver Development ◽

Hormone Synthesis ◽

Liver Tissues

The liver is the largest digestive gland in goats with an important role in early metabolic function development. MicroRNAs (miRNA) are crucial for regulating the development and metabolism in the goat liver. In the study, we sequenced the miRNAs in the liver tissues of the goat kid to further research their regulation roles in early liver development. The liver tissues were procured at 5-time points from the Laiwu black goats of 1 day (D1), 2 weeks (W2), 4 weeks (W4), 8 weeks (W8), and 12 weeks (W12) after birth, respectively with five goats per time point, for a total of 25 goats. Our study identified 214 differential expression miRNAs, and the expression patterns of 15 randomly selected miRNAs were examined among all five age groups. The Gene ontology annotation results showed that differential expression miRNA (DE miRNA) target genes were significantly enriched in the fatty acid synthase activity, toxin metabolic process, cell surface, and antibiotic metabolic process. The KEGG analysis result was significantly enriched in steroid hormone synthesis and retinol metabolism pathways. Further miRNA-mRNA regulation network analysis reveals 9 differently expressed miRNA with important regulation roles. Overall, the DE miRNAs were mainly involved in liver development, lipid metabolism, toxin related metabolism-related biological process, and pathways. Our results provide new information about the molecular mechanisms and pathways in the goat kid liver development.

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Genome-wide characterization, expression analyses, and functional prediction of the NPF family in Brassica napus

BMC Genomics ◽

10.1186/s12864-020-07274-7 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Jing Wen ◽

Peng-Feng Li ◽

Feng Ran ◽

Peng-Cheng Guo ◽

Jia-Tian Zhu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Brassica Napus ◽

Expression Profiles ◽

Expression Patterns ◽

Protein Structures ◽

Small Scale ◽

Preferential Expression ◽

Qrt Pcr ◽

Genome Wide ◽

Duplication Events ◽

Small Scale Duplication

Abstract Background NITRATE TRANSPORTER 1/PEPTIDE TRANSPORTER (NRT1/PTR) family (NPF) members are essential transporters for many substrates in plants, including nitrate, hormones, peptides, and secondary metabolites. Here, we report the global characterization of NPF in the important oil crop Brassica napus, including that for phylogeny, gene/protein structures, duplications, and expression patterns. Results A total of 199 B. napus (BnaNPFs) NPF-coding genes were identified. Phylogenetic analyses categorized these genes into 11 subfamilies, including three new ones. Sequence feature analysis revealed that members of each subfamily contain conserved gene and protein structures. Many hormone−/abiotic stress-responsive cis-acting elements and transcription factor binding sites were identified in BnaNPF promoter regions. Chromosome distribution analysis indicated that BnaNPFs within a subfamily tend to cluster on one chromosome. Syntenic relationship analysis showed that allotetraploid creation by its ancestors (Brassica rapa and Brassica oleracea) (57.89%) and small-scale duplication events (39.85%) contributed to rapid BnaNPF expansion in B. napus. A genome-wide spatiotemporal expression survey showed that NPF genes of each Arabidopsis and B. napus subfamily have preferential expression patterns across developmental stages, most of them are expressed in a few organs. RNA-seq analysis showed that many BnaNPFs (32.66%) have wide exogenous hormone-inductive profiles, suggesting important hormone-mediated patterns in diverse bioprocesses. Homologs in a clade or branch within a given subfamily have conserved organ/spatiotemporal and hormone-inductive profiles, indicating functional conservation during evolution. qRT-PCR-based comparative expression analysis of the 12 BnaNPFs in the NPF2–1 subfamily between high- and low-glucosinolate (GLS) content B. napus varieties revealed that homologs of AtNPF2.9 (BnaNPF2.12, BnaNPF2.13, and BnaNPF2.14), AtNPF2.10 (BnaNPF2.19 and BnaNPF2.20), and AtNPF2.11 (BnaNPF2.26 and BnaNPF2.28) might be involved in GLS transport. qRT-PCR further confirmed the hormone-responsive expression profiles of these putative GLS transporter genes. Conclusion We identified 199 B. napus BnaNPFs; these were divided into 11 subfamilies. Allopolyploidy and small-scale duplication events contributed to the immense expansion of BnaNPFs in B. napus. The BnaNPFs had preferential expression patterns in different tissues/organs and wide hormone-induced expression profiles. Four BnaNPFs in the NPF2–1 subfamily may be involved in GLS transport. Our results provide an abundant gene resource for further functional analysis of BnaNPFs.

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Transcriptome Analysis and miRNA Target Profiling at Various Stages of Root-Knot Nematode Meloidogyne incognita Development for Identification of Potential Regulatory Networks

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms22147442 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (14) ◽

pp. 7442

Author(s):

Vimalraj Mani ◽

Awraris Derbie Assefa ◽

Bum-Soo Hahn

Keyword(s):

Life Cycle ◽

Heat Shock ◽

Meloidogyne Incognita ◽

Mirna Target ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Expression Profiles ◽

Integrated Analysis ◽

Qrt Pcr ◽

Mrna Targets ◽

Related Proteins

Root-knot nematodes (RKNs) are a group of plant-parasitic nematodes that cause damage to various plant species and extensive economical losses. In this study, we performed integrated analysis of miRNA and mRNA expression data to explore the regulation of miRNA and mRNA in RKNs. In particular, we aimed to elucidate the mRNA targets of Meloidogyne incognita miRNAs and variations of the RKN transcriptome during five stages of its life cycle. Stage-wise RNA sequencing of M. incognita resulted in clean read numbers of 56,902,902, 50,762,456, 40,968,532, 47,309,223, and 51,730,234 for the egg, J2, J3, J4, and female stages, respectively. Overall, stage-dependent mRNA sequencing revealed that 17,423 genes were expressed in the transcriptome of M. incognita. The egg stage showed the maximum number of transcripts, and 12,803 gene transcripts were expressed in all stages. Functional Gene Ontology (GO) analysis resulted in three main GO classes: biological process, cellular components, and molecular function; the detected sequences were longer than sequences in the reference genome. Stage-wise selected fragments per kilobase of transcript per million mapped reads (FPKM) values of the top 10 stage-specific and common mRNAs were used to construct expression profiles, and 20 mRNAs were validated through quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Next, we used three target prediction programs (miRanda, RNAhybrid, and PITA) to obtain 2431 potential target miRNA genes in RKNs, which regulate 8331 mRNAs. The predicted potential targets of miRNA were generally involved in cellular and metabolic processes, binding of molecules in the cell, membranes, and organelles. Stage-wise miRNA target analysis revealed that the egg stage contains heat shock proteins, transcriptional factors, and DNA repair proteins, whereas J2 includes DNA replication, heat shock, and ubiquitin-conjugating pathway-related proteins; the J3 and J4 stages are represented by the major sperm protein domain and translation-related proteins, respectively. In the female stage, we found proteins related to the maintenance of molybdopterin-binding domain-containing proteins and ubiquitin-mediated protein degradation. In total, 29 highly expressed stage-specific mRNA-targeting miRNAs were analyzed using qRT-PCR to validate the sequence analysis data. Overall, our findings provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms occurring at various developmental stages of the RKN life cycle, thus aiding in the identification of potential control strategies.

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Integrated miRNA-mRNA analysis reveals the roles of miRNAs in the replanting benefit of Achyranthes bidentata roots

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-81277-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Yan Hui Yang ◽

Ming Jie Li ◽

Yan Jie Yi ◽

Rui Fang Li ◽

Cui Xiang Li ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mirna Target ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Expression Profiles ◽

Expression Patterns ◽

Regulation Of Gene Expression ◽

First Year ◽

Achyranthes Bidentata ◽

Yield And Quality ◽

Post Transcriptional Regulation

AbstractThe yield and quality of the medicinal plant Achyranthes bidentata can be increased when it is replanted into a field cultivated previously with the same crop, however, fundamental aspects of its biology (so-called “replanting benefit”) still remain to be elucidated. miRNAs are sRNA molecules involved in the post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression in plant biological processes. Here, 267 conserved and 36 novel miRNAs were identified in A. bidentata roots. We compared the miRNA content of the roots (R1) from first-year planting with that of the roots (R2) of second-year replanting, and screened 21 differentially expressed (DE) miRNAs. Based on in silico functional analysis, integrated miRNA-mRNA datasets allowed the identification of 10 miRNA-target family modules, which might participate in the benefit. The expression profiles of the miRNA-target modules were potentially correlated with the presence of the replanting benefit. The indication was that the miRNA-responsive continuous monoculture could reprogram miRNA-mRNA expression patterns, which possibly promote the root growth and development, enhance its transport activity and strengthen its tolerance to various stresses, thereby improving A. bidentata productivity as observed in the replanting benefit. Our study provides basic data for further research on the molecular mechanisms of the benefit in A. bidentata.

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Study on cyanidin metabolism in petals of pink-flowered strawberry based on transcriptome sequencing and metabolite analysis

BMC Plant Biology ◽

10.1186/s12870-019-2048-8 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Li Xue ◽

Jian Wang ◽

Jun Zhao ◽

Yang Zheng ◽

Hai-Feng Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Regulatory Networks ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Target Genes ◽

Anthocyanin Biosynthesis ◽

Expression Profiles ◽

Expression Patterns ◽

Anthocyanin Synthesis ◽

Integrated Analysis ◽

Intergeneric Hybridization ◽

Significant Differential Expression

Abstract Background Pink-flowered strawberry is a promising new ornamental flower derived from intergeneric hybridization (Fragaria × Potentilla) with bright color, a prolonged flowering period and edible fruits. Its flower color ranges from light pink to red. Pigment compounds accumulated in its fruits were the same as in cultivated strawberry fruits, but different from that in its flowers. However, the transcriptional events underlying the anthocyanin biosynthetic pathway have not been fully characterized in petal coloration. To gain insights into the regulatory networks related to anthocyanin biosynthesis and identify the key genes, we performed an integrated analysis of the transcriptome and metabolome in petals of pink-flowered strawberry. Results The main pigments of red and dark pink petals were anthocyanins, among which cyanidins were the main compound. There were no anthocyanins detected in the white-flowered hybrids. A total of 50,285 non-redundant unigenes were obtained from the transcriptome databases involved in red petals of pink-flowered strawberry cultivar Sijihong at three development stages. Amongst the unigenes found to show significant differential expression, 57 were associated with anthocyanin or other flavonoid biosynthesis, in which they were regulated by 241 differentially expressed members of transcription factor families, such as 40 MYBs, 47 bHLHs, and 41 NACs. Based on a comprehensive analysis relating pigment compounds to gene expression profiles, the mechanism of flower coloration was examined in pink-flowered strawberry. A new hypothesis was proposed to explain the lack of color phenotype of the white-flowered strawberry hybrids based on the transcriptome analysis. The expression patterns of FpDFR and FpANS genes corresponded to the accumulation patterns of cyanidin contents in pink-flowered strawberry hybrids with different shades of pink. Moreover, FpANS, FpBZ1 and FpUGT75C1 genes were the major factors that led to the absence of anthocyanins in the white petals of pink-flowered strawberry hybrids. Meanwhile, the competitive effect of FpFLS and FpDFR genes might further inhibit anthocyanin synthesis. Conclusions The data presented herein are important for understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying the petal pigmentation and will be powerful for integrating novel potential target genes to breed valuable pink-flowered strawberry cultivars.

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Genome-wide identification and characterization of WRKY gene family in Salix suchowensis

10.7287/peerj.preprints.2167 ◽

2016 ◽

Author(s):

Changwei Bi ◽

Yiqing Xu ◽

Qiaolin Ye ◽

Tongming Yin ◽

Ning Ye

Keyword(s):

Gene Family ◽

Zinc Finger ◽

Large Scale ◽

Target Genes ◽

Expression Profiles ◽

Expression Patterns ◽

Wrky Gene ◽

Manual Search ◽

Group I ◽

Genome Wide

WRKY proteins are the plant-specific zinc finger transcription factors. They can specifically interact with the W-box ([C/T]TGAC[T/C]), which can be found in the promoter region of a large number of plant target genes, to regulate the expressions of downstream target genes. They also participate in diverse physiological and growing processes in plants. Prior to the present studies, plentiful WRKY genes have been identified and characterized in herbaceous species, but there is no large-scale study of WRKY genes in willow. With the whole genome sequencing in Salix suchowensis, we have the opportunity to conduct the genome-wide research for willow WRKY gene family. In this study, we identified 85 WRKY genes in the willow genome and renamed them from SsWRKY1 to SsWRKY85 on the basis of their specific distributions on chromosomes. Due to their diverse structural features, the 85 willow WRKY genes could be further classified into three main groups (group I - III), with five subgroups (IIa - IIe) in group II. With the multiple sequence alignment and the manual search, we found three variations of the WRKYGQK heptapeptide: WRKYGRK, WKKYGQK and WRKYGKK, and four variations of the normal zinc finger motif, which might execute some new biological functions. In addition, the SsWRKY genes from the same subgroup share the similar exon–intron structures and conserved motif domains. Further studies of SsWRKY genes revealed that segmental duplication events played the prominent roles in the expansion of SsWRKY genes. Distinct expression profiles of SsWRKY genes with RNA sequencing data revealed that diverse expression patterns among five tissues, including tender roots, young leaves, vegetative buds, non-lignified stems and barks. With the analyses of WRKY gene family in willow, it is not only beneficial to complete the functional and annotation information of WRKY genes family in woody plants, but also provide important references to investigate the expansion and evolution of this gene family in flowering plants.

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Genome-wide identification and characterization of WRKY gene family in Salix suchowensis

10.7287/peerj.preprints.2167v1 ◽

2016 ◽

Author(s):

Changwei Bi ◽

Yiqing Xu ◽

Qiaolin Ye ◽

Tongming Yin ◽

Ning Ye

Keyword(s):

Gene Family ◽

Zinc Finger ◽

Large Scale ◽

Target Genes ◽

Expression Profiles ◽

Expression Patterns ◽

Wrky Gene ◽

Manual Search ◽

Group I ◽

Genome Wide

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Genome-wide identification and characterization of WRKY gene family inSalix suchowensis

PeerJ ◽

10.7717/peerj.2437 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 4 ◽

pp. e2437 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Changwei Bi ◽

Yiqing Xu ◽

Qiaolin Ye ◽

Tongming Yin ◽

Ning Ye

Keyword(s):

Gene Family ◽

Zinc Finger ◽

Large Scale ◽

Target Genes ◽

Expression Profiles ◽

Expression Patterns ◽

Wrky Gene ◽

Manual Search ◽

Group I ◽

Genome Wide

WRKY proteins are the zinc finger transcription factors that were first identified in plants. They can specifically interact with the W-box, which can be found in the promoter region of a large number of plant target genes, to regulate the expressions of downstream target genes. They also participate in diverse physiological and growing processes in plants. Prior to this study, a plenty of WRKY genes have been identified and characterized in herbaceous species, but there is no large-scale study of WRKY genes in willow. With the whole genome sequencing ofSalix suchowensis, we have the opportunity to conduct the genome-wide research for willow WRKY gene family. In this study, we identified 85 WRKY genes in the willow genome and renamed them from SsWRKY1 to SsWRKY85 on the basis of their specific distributions on chromosomes. Due to their diverse structural features, the 85 willow WRKY genes could be further classified into three main groups (group I–III), with five subgroups (IIa–IIe) in group II. With the multiple sequence alignment and the manual search, we found three variations of the WRKYGQK heptapeptide: WRKYGRK, WKKYGQK and WRKYGKK, and four variations of the normal zinc finger motif, which might execute some new biological functions. In addition, the SsWRKY genes from the same subgroup share the similar exon–intron structures and conserved motif domains. Further studies of SsWRKY genes revealed that segmental duplication events (SDs) played a more prominent role in the expansion of SsWRKY genes. Distinct expression profiles of SsWRKY genes with RNA sequencing data revealed that diverse expression patterns among five tissues, including tender roots, young leaves, vegetative buds, non-lignified stems and barks. With the analyses of WRKY gene family in willow, it is not only beneficial to complete the functional and annotation information of WRKY genes family in woody plants, but also provide important references to investigate the expansion and evolution of this gene family in flowering plants.

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Temporal expression profiles of lncRNA and mRNA in human embryonic stem cell-derived motor neurons during differentiation

PeerJ ◽

10.7717/peerj.10075 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

pp. e10075

Author(s):

Xue-Jiao Sun ◽

Ming-Xing Li ◽

Chen-Zi Gong ◽

Jing Chen ◽

Mohammad Nasb ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Motor Neuron ◽

Motor Neurons ◽

Time Course ◽

Target Genes ◽

Expression Profiles ◽

Expression Patterns ◽

Embryonic Stem ◽

Differentially Expressed ◽

Neuron Development ◽

Qrt Pcr

Background Human embryonic stem cells (hESC) have been an invaluable research tool to study motor neuron development and disorders. However, transcriptional regulation of multiple temporal stages from ESCs to spinal motor neurons (MNs) has not yet been fully elucidated. Thus, the goals of this study were to profile the time-course expression patterns of lncRNAs during MN differentiation of ESCs and to clarify the potential mechanisms of the lncRNAs that are related to MN differentiation. Methods We utilized our previous protocol which can harvest motor neuron in more than 90% purity from hESCs. Then, differentially expressed lncRNAs (DElncRNAs) and mRNAs (DEmRNAs) during MN differentiation were identified through RNA sequencing. Bioinformatic analyses were performed to assess potential biological functions of genes. We also performed qRT-PCR to validate the DElncRNAs and DEmRNAs. Results A total of 441 lncRNAs and 1,068 mRNAs at day 6, 443 and 1,175 at day 12, and 338 lncRNAs and 68 mRNAs at day 18 were differentially expressed compared with day 0. Bioinformatic analyses identified that several key regulatory genes including POU5F1, TDGF1, SOX17, LEFTY2 and ZSCAN10, which involved in the regulation of embryonic development. We also predicted 283 target genes of DElncRNAs, in which 6 mRNAs were differentially expressed. Significant fold changes in lncRNAs (NCAM1-AS) and mRNAs (HOXA3) were confirmed by qRT-PCR. Then, through predicted overlapped miRNA verification, we constructed a lncRNA NCAM1-AS-miRNA-HOXA3 network.

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