Computational analysis of genetic loci required for amphid structure and functions and their possibly corresponding microRNAs in C. elegans.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the important roles of microRNAs (miRNAs) in regulating amphid structure and function, we performed a computational analysis for the genetic loci required for the sensory perception and their possibly corresponding miRNAs in C. elegans.


METHODS
Total 55 genetic loci required for the amphid structure and function were selected. Sequence alignment was combined with E value evaluation to investigate and identify the possible corresponding miRNAs.


RESULTS
Total 30 genes among the 55 genetic loci selected have their possible corresponding regulatory miRNA (s), and identified genes participate in the regulation of almost all aspects of amphid structure and function. In addition, our data suggest that both the amphid structure and the amphid functions might be regulated by a series of network signaling pathways. Moreover, the distribution of miRNAs along the 3' untranslated region (UTR) of these 30 genes exhibits different patterns.


CONCLUSIONS
We present the possible miRNA-mediated signaling pathways involved in the regulation of chemosensation and thermosensation by controlling the corresponding sensory neuron and interneuron functions. Our work will be useful for better understanding of the miRNA-mediated control of the chemotaxis and thermotaxis in C. elegans.
Hu
Ya-Ou
YO
Department of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China.
Sun
Yang
Y
Ye
Bo-Ping
BP
Wang
Da-Yong
DY
D000818:Animals; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000196:embryology* / Q000235:genetics*; D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D002923:Cilia / Q000235:genetics*; D019295:Computational Biology / Q000379:methods; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000235:genetics; D016678:Genome / Q000235:genetics*; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics*; D008957:Models, Genetic; D009420:Nervous System / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism; D009475:Neurons, Afferent / Q000378:metabolism*; D012677:Sensation / Q000235:genetics*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000235:genetics
D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; D035683:MicroRNAs