In silico identification of miRNAs and their target prediction from Japanese encephalitis

MicroRNA is a family of small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression in a sequence-specific manner. miRNAs are a class of post-transcriptional regulators. miRNAs are a family of 19 to 25 small nucleotide RNAs. Since miRNAs have been discovered and their role in gene regulation established, it has been theorized that viruses could generate miRNAs as well and that these viral encoded miRNAs could regulate cellular mechanisms and viral replication. There are several lines of evidence to support this theory. Japanese encephalitis is a viral disease (Flavivirus) but its geographic strains differ by RNA sequencing neurotropic virus that primarily affects the central nervous system. That is why this work mainly focuses on finding out its function. An oligonucleotide drug candidate can be designed against this virus. Computational prediction is analyzed and estimation of evolutionary relationship among types of organism is done in this project. 25 precursors and eight potential miRNAs were found, and these miRNAs target 123 target sites in 13 genes in human.   Key words: miRNA, pre-miRNA, pri-miRNA, Japanese encephalitis, precursor potential miRNA, +target prediction.