A Computational Prediction of Conserved MicroRNA Targets of Ion Channels in Vertebrates

Ion channels are integral membrane proteins that are responsible for most physiological functions including the electrical activity of excitable cells. Their expression and function are regulated by a variety of means including microRNAs (miRNAs). MicroRNAs are small non coding RNAs, 22 nucleotides in length, involved in regulation of gene expression. In this study, we attempt to predict the miRNA targets of ion channel genes conserved across 4 species using TargetScan algorithm. From the results, many miRNA targets were found to be conserved among mammals. The expression profile of identified miRNA targets of certain genes that are implicated in channelopathies of brain, heart and skeletal muscle in Homo sapiens are explored. Further a final correlation of channel genes and miRNAs expressed in specific tissues is obtained by comparison of expression profiles using mimiRNA. miR-302a and miR-9 were found to be positively correlated with many channelopathy associated genes, while miR-143 and miR-29a were predicted to exhibit negative correlation. In this paper we summarize a list of all possible miRNAs linked with channelopathies.