In Silico Target Prediction of Overexpressed microRNAs from LPS-Challenged Zebrafish ( Danio rerio ) Treated with the Novel Anti-Inflammatory Peptide Tn P.

miRNAs regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally in various processes, e.g., immunity, development, and diseases. Since their experimental analysis is complex, in silico target prediction is important for directing investigations. Tn P is a candidate peptide for anti-inflammatory therapy, first discovered in the venom of Thalassophryne nattereri , which led to miRNAs overexpression in LPS-inflamed zebrafish post-treatment. This work aimed to predict miR-21, miR-122, miR-731, and miR-26 targets using overlapped results of DIANA microT-CDS and TargetScanFish software. This study described 513 miRNAs targets using highly specific thresholds. Using Gene Ontology over-representation analysis, we identified their main roles in regulating gene expression, neurogenesis, DNA-binding, transcription regulation, immune system process, and inflammatory response. miRNAs act in post-transcriptional regulation, but we revealed that their targets are strongly related to expression regulation at the transcriptional level, e.g., transcription factors proteins. A few predicted genes participated concomitantly in many biological processes and molecular functions, such as foxo3a , rbpjb , rxrbb , tyrobp , hes6 , zic5 , smad1 , e2f7 , and npas4a . Others were particularly involved in innate immunity regulation: il17a/f2 , pik3r3b , and nlrc6 . Together, these findings not only provide new insights into the miRNAs mode of action but also raise hope for Tn P therapy and may direct future experimental investigations.