Cloning of Small RNAs for the Discovery of Novel MicroRNAs in Plants 

 -  Rice Protocols , 109-118, 2013 .
<br/><br/> Endogenous small RNAs can be grouped into several distinct classes of 21-nt-long microRNAs (miRNAs), short interfering RNAs (siRNAs), trans-acting siRNAs (tasiRNAs), and 24-nt long heterochromatic siRNAs. miRNAs are increasingly being recognized as signi fi cant effectors of gene regulation in a wide range of organisms. These molecules are typically 21-nt long and are amenable for cloning by streamlined protocols. Here we detail the methodology for cloning small RNAs in rice to identify novel miRNAs and other important small RNAs. Brie fl y, small RNA molecules are size fractionated, attached to adaptors, and subsequently converted into cDNA and PCR ampli fi ed. Current high-throughput sequencing technologies allow sequencing of the PCR products directly. 
<br/><br/><label>Subjects--Topical Terms: </label><br/>MCIRORNAS<br/>SMALL RNAS<br/>POSTTRANSCRIPTIONAL GENE REGULATION<br/>RICE