摘要
Objective To elucidate the important functions of microRNAs （miRNAs） in regulating synaptic assembly and function, we performed a computational analysis for the genetic loci required for the synaptic structure and function and their corresponding miRNAs in C. elegans. Methods Total 198 genetic loci required for the synaptic structure and function were selected. Sequence alignment was combined with E value evaluation to investigate and identify the possible corresponding miRNAs. Results Total 163 genes among the 198 genetic loci selected have their possibly corresponding regulatory miRNA （s）, which covered most of the important genetic loci required for the synaptic structure and function. Moreover, only 22 genes among the analyzed 38 genetic loci encoding synaptic proteins have more possibility to under the control of non-coding RNA genes. In addition, the distribution of miRNAs along the 3＇ untranslated region （UTR） of these 22 genes exhibits different patterns. Condusion Here we provide the computational screen and analysis results for the genetic loci required for synaptic structure and function and their possible corresponding miRNAs. These data will be useful for the further attempt to systematically determine the roles of miRNAs in synaptic assembly and function regulation in worms.
目的为系统分析miRNA在调控神经突触组装和功能方面的重要功能,我们进行了线虫中有关影响突触结构和功能的遗传位点以及和其可能对应的miRNA的生物信息学分析。方法我们选择了198个与突触结构和功能相关的遗传位点,并且通过评价序列比对后的E 值等手段来分析和确认其可能对应的miRNA。结果在198个遗传位点中,我们发现其中163遗传位点存在与其对应的miRNA, 这些位点涵盖了大部分和突触结构和功能所必需的遗传位点。进一步通过对编码神经突触蛋白的38个遗传位点的分析,发现其中22个遗传位点很有可能受到miRNA的分子调控。此外,对应miRNA在这22基因的3’端非编码区(untranslated region, UTR)上的分布也呈现出各自特有的模式。结论我们提供了针对影响神经突触结构和功能所必须的遗传位点及其对应可能结合的miRNA的生物信息学系统分析结果。这些数据为我们进一步系统地开展线虫中miRNA在神经突触组装和功能上的分子调控机制研究提供了根本前提。
