Identification of tRNA-derived fragments in legumes

Abstract

The tRNA-derived noncoding RNAs (tncRNAs) belong to the novel class of noncoding RNAs, acting as important components of genome regulatory circuits. In planta, the mechanism of generation and function of tncRNAs is not fully elucidated. Production of important leguminous plants like chickpea, Medicago and soybean is majorly hampered due to different biotic and abiotic stresses. Identification and characterization of tncRNAs in legumes may open a new paradigm for molecular biologists to make novel tools for the improved varieties of legumes for sustainable agriculture. The first step in the study of tncRNAs is to identify and annotate them in small RNA sequencing datasets. Here, we have demonstrated the tncRNA Toolkit for the identification and annotation of tncRNAs in a small RNA sequencing dataset of the important legume crop chickpea.