Identification of conserved micro-RNAs and their target transcripts in opium poppy (Papaver somniferum L.).

Micro-RNAs (miRNA) are regulatory non-coding class of small RNAs functioning in many organisms. Using computational approaches we have identified 20 conserved opium poppy (Papaver somniferum L.) miRNAs belonging to 16 miRNA families in Expressed Sequence Tags (EST) database. The existence of ESTs suggested that the miRNAs were expressed in P. somniferum. Lengths of mature miRNAs varied from 20 to 23 nucleotides located at the different positions of precursor RNAs. Uracil was found to be a dominant nucleotide in both poppy pre-miRNA sequences (31.28 +/- 7.06% of total nucleotide composition) and in the first position at the 5' end of the mature poppy miRNAs. We have applied quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) assays to compare and validate expression levels of selected P. somniferum miRNAs and their target transcripts. As a result, some of the predicted miRNAs and their target genes were found to be differentially expressed in P. somniferum leaf and root tissues. A meaningful correlation between three of the four analyzed pairs of miRNAs and their target transcript expression levels was detected. Additionally, using these predicted miRNAs as queries, 41 potential target mRNAs were found in National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) protein-coding nucleotide (mRNA) database of all plant species. Some of the target mRNAs were found to be transcription factors regulating plant development, morphology, and flowering time. Other target mRNAs of identified conserved miRNAs involve in metabolic processes, signal transduction, and stress responses. This study reports the first identification of opium poppy miRNAs.