Computational identification of miRNAs and their targets from mango (Mangifera indica L.) ESTs

MicroRNAs (miRNAs), which are small, endogenous, un-translated, regulatory RNAs, are dynamic molecular candidates which regulate various genes at the post-transcriptional level. Mango (Mangifera indica L.) is popularly known as “king of fruits”. In this study, we have used available ESTs sequences of mango for homology based analysis to predict conserved miRNAs. We have identified three potential mature miRNAs belonging to miR5658, miR8577 and miR6482 families as well as 94 putative targets of these three miRNAs. Gene Ontology (GO) was performed to forecast the functions of the target genes of the miRNAs. The biological network of the miRNAs and their targets was also generated. It is hoped that this study, the first of its kind in mango, would provide a foundation for studies on regulatory functions of miRNAs and their targets during development and ripening of mango fruits.