Identification and expression analysis of microRNAs in coumarins biosynthesis of Angelica dahurica by deep sequencing

MicroRNAs (miRNAs), are endogenous non-coding small RNAs with various roles in the regulation of plant during growth and development. Angelica dahurica (A. dahurica), is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine known for coumarins with the homology of medicine and food. However, the miRNAs regulation of coumarin biosynthesis in A. dahurica has not been knowed. In this study, we identified the miRNAs and their target genes involved in coumarins biosynthesis of A. dahurica, and constructed miRNAs database of roots, stems and leaves of A. dahurica. A total of 25 miRNAs were found to be involved in the regulation of coumarin biosynthesis, among which 4 miRNAs were identified as differentially expressed miRNAs. qRT-PCR expression analysis demonstrated that 4 differentially expressed miRNAs and their targets involved in coumarin biosynthesis were existed a positive correlation of A. dahurica. These 4 differentially expressed miRNAs were possibly involved in polysaccharide biosynthesis pathway. These results may help to improve our understanding of regulatory mechanisms of miRNA in the coumarin biosynthesis of A. dahurica.