Insect-Specific microRNA Involved in the Development of the Silkworm Bombyx mori
Author Information
Author(s): Zhang Yong, Zhou Xue, Ge Xie, Jiang Jianhao, Li Muwang, Jia Shihai, Yang Xiaonan, Kan Yunchao, Miao Xuexia, Zhao Guoping, Li Fei, Huang Yongping
Primary Institution: Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Hypothesis
Some silkworm miRNAs would be unique to insects and that if this were the case, we should find some silkworm miRNA orthologs only in insects and not in mammals nor the nematode.
Conclusion
The study identified many miRNAs unique to insects, suggesting that these miRNAs play significant roles in embryogenesis and metamorphosis.
Supporting Evidence
- The study identified 3,750 miRNA candidate genes using a computational pipeline.
- 354 miRNA genes were confirmed using miRNA microarrays.
- 106 miRNAs were expressed in all developmental stages.
- 248 miRNAs were egg- and pupa-specific.
- 220 silkworm miRNAs had orthologs in Anopheles gambiae.
- 102 silkworm miRNAs had orthologs in Drosophila melanogaster.
- 114 silkworm miRNAs had orthologs in Apis mellifera.
- 60 silkworm miRNAs had orthologs in Tribolium ferrugineum.
Takeaway
The researchers found special tiny molecules called miRNAs in silkworms that help them grow and change into different forms, like from an egg to a pupa.
Methodology
The study used sequencing-by-synthesis technology to analyze small RNAs from different developmental stages of silkworms and confirmed findings with microarrays.
Limitations
The number of intronic miRNAs may have been underestimated due to poor annotation of protein-coding genes in the silkworm.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.01
Statistical Significance
p<0.01
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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