Isolation of important MicroRNAs (miRNAs) of basil under abiotic stresses and investigation of the network on the interaction of their targeted genes

Background and Aim: Basil (Ocimum basillicum L.) is one of the most important medicinal plants of the Lamiaceae family. Basil is a annual plant, cross-pollination and diploid (۲n = ۴۸) and has valuable secondary metabolites. In the present study, miRNAs of basil were isolated and analyzed using different bioinformatics methods.Methods: Three data-sets containing sequenced short reads were used under different environmental conditions (control, cold and flooding stress). The data were assembled and documented and finally validated. Conserved miRNAs and their target genes were identified. Experimental databases were used to identify the target genes of miRNAs in the protein interaction network.Results: Transcriptome assembly was performed using RNA sequencing data which resulted in the identification of four microRNAs (miR۱۵۶, miR۳۹۶, miR۲۱۲ and miR۱۶۶). Among the cases studied,ote-miR۱۶۶-۳p had the highest expression in both flooding and cold stresses. However, other microRNAs were similar in expression.Conclusion: Finally, considering the regulatory role of identified microRNAs on genetic factors and their effect on altering gene network genes, identified microRNAs as candidate genes in the genetic engineering can be used to increase tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses. In addition, they can be used to increase the quantitative and qualitative traits of basil.

Keywords:

basil , metabolites , documentation , miRNA , short read