Prediction and Expression Analysis of miRNAs Associated with Heat Stress in Oryza sativa

Abstract

Computational prediction of potential miRNAs and their target genes was performed to identify the miRNAs and genes associated with temperature response in rice. The data of temperatureresponsive miRNAs of Arabidopsis, and miRNAs and whole genome data of rice were used to predict potential miRNAs in O. sativa involved in temperature response. A total of 55 miRNAs were common in both the species. A total of 27 miRNAs were predicted at the first time in rice. Target genes were searched for these 27 miRNAs in rice genome following stringent criteria. Real time PCR based on expression analysis of nine miRNAs showed that majority of the miRNAs were down regulated under heat stress for rice cultivar Nagina 22. Furthermore, miR169, miR1884 and miR160 showed differential expression in root and shoot tissues of rice.Identification and expression studies of miRNAs duringheat stress will advance the understanding of gene regulation under stress in rice.