Annotation of Conserved microRNA and Putative Targets in Hymenopteran Insects

Given the importance of microRNAs (miRNAs) in post-transcriptional gene regulation, it is likely that they play key roles in behavior adaptations, such as those exhibited in social insects. The availability of numerous sequenced genomes has provided an unprecedented opportunity to survey hymenopteran miRNAs. We used a homology based approach as well as small RNA sequences from publicly available databases to identify conserved and novel miRNAs in seven ant species, the honeybee, and a solitary wasp.  We annotated 65 previously characterized miRNAs for each of the seven ants.  We also identified 27 novel miRNAs conserved across different members of Hymenoptera.  Of these miRNAs, four are found in all Hymenoptera, five are conserved in ants and bees, and 18 are ant-specific.  Additional analysis of 3’UTR sequences allow for prediction of putative miRNA targets.  Target predictions for both conserved and novel miRNAs identified novel putative miRNA targets in Hymenoptera. This analysis provides a foundation for understanding Order-specific traits regulated by miRNA:mRNA interactions.