Identificação e caracterização de miRNAs e genes envolvidos na via de processamento de miRNAs em Pomacea canaliculata e Pomacea maculata

Abstract

miRNAs are small non-protein coding RNAs that help and act in the control of gene expression, preventing the translation of several genes (for the most part). There is a consensus in the scientific literature that gene expression control mechanisms are essential for the development of the organism, orchestrating several biological processes. The analysis of miRNAs in molluscs, especially in snails, is very important since they have few identified miRNAs, when compared to the vast number of mollusc species. The snails of the genus Pomacea are considered invasive species harmful to the planet, including P. canaliculata and P. maculata. The Ampullariidae family in molluscs is an emerging model for evolutionary studies due to its high diversity, ancient history and wide geographic distribution. Thus, the objective of this work was to identify and characterize, through in silico analysis, conserved mature miRNAs and their respective precursors, the putative-putative proteins involved in the miRNA processing pathway and their respective genes, using public database of genome and transcriptome of P. canaliculata and P. maculata. It was possible to identify 269 predicted pre-miRNAs, 296 mature miRNAs and 7 probable miRNA pathway proteins in P. canaliculata. In P. maculata, 299 precursors, 316 mature miRNAs and 8 probable miRNA biogenesis proteins were identified. The characterization was performed based on phylogenetic conservation, primary and secondary structure characteristic of precursors and proteins of the miRNA pathway. The data obtained will support studies of phylogeny, population divergence, speciation and diversity patterns in the Ampullariidae family.