Genome-wide identification of miRNAs in C. chinense and C. frutescens

Profiling of small RNAs identified a total of 359 and 357 conserved; and 490 and 155 novel miRNAs in C. chinense and C. frutescens, respectively. Based on the sequence similarity observed on alignment with already reported plant miRNAs, conserved and novel miRNAs were identified in both the species. The target prediction analysis reveals vital role of miRNAs in regulating genes involved in transcriptions, protein modification, signal transduction and metabolism. Several miRNAs were expressed in a tissue-specific/preferential manner indicating their involvement in tissue/organ development. Examination of small RNAs sampled from stem, flower, fruits and leaf tissues of C. chinense and C. frutescens.