title: ATP synthase: an identified target gene of bantam in paired female Schistosoma japonicum.
abstract: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small non-coding RNAs that function in transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. An increasing number of schistosome miRNAs have been identified and are expected possibly involved in differentiation, development, and metabolism. However, limited information is available concerning the target genes of schistosome miRNAs. In the present study, the key target genes of bantam, an abundant miRNA found in paired female Schistosoma japonicum, were predicted by bioinformatics analysis and Solexa technology. Luciferase reporter assay and bantam mimic assay were applied in combination to further verify the targets of bantam. Results showed that ATP synthase (CAX76793.1), one of the three selected predicted targets, was confirmed as the target of bantam; bantam mimic assay results also showed that the two other predicted targets, namely, ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM)-related (XP_002571630.1), and ribosomal protein L30 (CAX72575.1), were not confirmed as targets. This research proposed the design and significance of reasonable biological experiments that could be performed to identify miRNA target genes in schistosomes.
authors.affiliation: Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, People's Republic of China, swksj@tongji.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Su-Wen
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Chen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D025181:ATP Synthetase Complexes / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D019295:Computational Biology; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D015801:Helminth Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D018510:RNA, Helminth / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D012549:Schistosoma japonicum / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D015801:Helminth Proteins; D035683:MicroRNAs; D018510:RNA, Helminth; D025181:ATP Synthetase Complexes