Identification and Annotation of the 21 Novel Sugar Cane (Saccharum officinarum) MicroRNA Clusters and Their Significant Biological, Molecular and Cellular Targets.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are generated in a cell endogenously which have a nucleotide length of 18 to 26 and are also known as short non-protein coding RNAs. The majority of them are evolutionarily conserved in nature, suggesting a logical foundation for the anticipation of new miRNAs in association with their clusters in numerous plants. Considering this study, physical, bioinformatics and efficient methods are integrated to predict the fresh miRNA clusters along with their targets in sugar cane. In sugar cane, there were a total of 21 new miRNA clusters identified, which were linked to 15 miRNA families. These families are as 165a, 166b, 528a, 827, 2118, 2120b, 5168, 5564c, 5565g, 5568c, 6220, 6225, 6226, 6232a and 7540a. Multiple characteristics of such miRNA clusters, including web logo, phylogenetic tree and secondary structures have been developed. The minimal free energy (MFE) of the secondary structures has been attained and reported as well. In addition, mature miRNAs have been sought in stem section of the structure. Consequently, 115 miRNA targets were also found. These targets include substantial GO term which have important targets in the reproduction, DNA packaging, multicellular organismal process, gene expression, translation, transcription factors, protein binding, transporter activity, secretion, cell division, binding, growth & development and aging. Hence, the achieved results of novel sugar cane miRNA clusters target several types of significant genes which help in managing the environment for sugar cane for better crop production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]