Identification and analysis of tRNA derived fragments (tRFs) from rice (black, brown, red and white) derived exosome-like edible nanovesicles (ELNs) for cancer therapeutics
This project aims to investigate the small RNA cargo, specifically, tRNA derived fragments (tRFs) and microRNAs (miRNAs), present in extracellular vesicle-like nanoparticles (ELNs) isolated from four distinct rice varieties: Uma MO16 (red rice), Matta Triveni (brown rice), Pusa Bas-mati (white rice), and Karuppu Kavuni (black rice). ELNs will be isolated and characterized to confirm their physicochemical properties and vesicular nature.Subsequently, comparative expression profiling of tRFs and miRNAs will be performed across ELNs derived from the different rice varieties to identify variety-specific and conserved miRNA signatures. The study also includes analysis of miRNA biogenesis components associated with ELNs to understand their role in miRNA packaging and stability.To explore the functional relevance of these miRNAs, their potential anti-tumorigenic effects will be evaluated in vitro using oral/gastric and colon cancer cell lines. Predicted target genes of identified miRNAs will be analyzed using computational approaches, followed by integrative multi-omics network analysis to understand miRNA-mRNA regulatory interactions.Finally, selected miRNA candidates will be experimentally validated using a dual-luciferase reporter assay system to confirm their interaction with cancer-related target transcripts.This study provides insights into plant-derived ELN miRNAs as potential cross-kingdom regulatory molecules with therapeutic relevance.
BioProject