In silico identification
and prediction of Coffea arabica L. microRNA and their potential role in drought
stress regulation
Choudhury Himanish Dutta, Rajwanshi Ravi and Chakraborty Supriyo
Res. J. Biotech.; Vol. 20(12); 55-66;
doi: https://doi.org/10.25303/2012rjbt055066; (2025)
Abstract
MicroRNA is a small endogenous RNA molecule that inhibits gene expression in eukaryotes.
Identifying such small RNA entities is critical for understanding the regulation
of metabolic pathways in plant systems. In this study, a computational technique
was employed to identify the miRNAs in Coffea arabica L. that regulate key metabolic
pathways by targeting the expression of specific proteins and transcription factors.
A total of 10 potential conserved miRNA sequences were predicted to regulate 9 transcription
factors belonging to the ethylene response transcription factor (ERF) family, which
are expressed under drought conditions.
The study also discusses the relevance of such putative target genes/transcription
factors in regulating plant growth and development under water scarcity conditions.
The present study will offer a novel perspective for understanding the surveillance
and tolerance mechanism of miRNA under drought and a better scope in generating
high-yielding coffee varieties using transgenics.
