Description of plant tRNA-derived RNA fragments (tRFs) associated with argonaute and identification of their putative targets

• Main Authors: Loss-Morais Guilherme, Waterhouse Peter M, Margis Rogerio
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2013-02-01
• Series: Biology Direct
• Subjects: tRNAs; Small RNA; tRFs; tRNA-derived RNA fragments; Argonaute and Arabidopsis
• Online Access: http://www.biology-direct.com/content/8/1/6

<p>Abstract</p> <p>tRNA-derived RNA fragments (tRFs) are 19mer small RNAs that associate with Argonaute (AGO) proteins in humans. However, in plants, it is unknown if tRFs bind with AGO proteins. Here, using public deep sequencing libraries of immunoprecipitated Argonaute proteins (AGO-IP) and bioinformatics approaches, we identified the <it>Arabidopsis thaliana</it> AGO-IP tRFs. Moreover, using three degradome deep sequencing libraries, we identified four putative tRF targets. The expression pattern of tRFs, based on deep sequencing data, was also analyzed under abiotic and biotic stresses. The results obtained here represent a useful starting point for future studies on tRFs in plants.</p>