Sequence Relationships among C. elegans, D. melanogaster and Human microRNAs Highlight the Extensive Conservation of microRNAs in Biology
Figure 2
miRNAs of nematode and fly model organisms conserved across species (5′ and/or overall ≥70%).
73/139 C. elegans miRNAs share 5′ end identities and/or ≥70% homology over sequence with miRNAs both in fly and humans. 13 C. elegans miRNAs currently appear to have sequence-related miRNAs limited to C. elegans, 14 miRNAs are shared by nematodes and flies, and 3 miRNAs are shared by nematodes and humans. For Drosophila, 54/152 miRNAs have 5′ and/or ≥70% overall homology to nematode and human miRNAs. 15 D. melanogaster miRNAs have sequence-related sequences restricted to fly, 11 miRNAs appear present both in fly and nematodes and 29 in fly and humans. Names of family members cross species can be found in Tables 1–6 and sequence alignments in supporting datasets and Figure S1. Human miRNAs that have family members only in human are not included. It should be noted that the Venn diagram is inclusive showing miRNAs that have 5′ and ≥70% overall conserved sequences as well as miRNAs with either 5′ or ≥70% overall conserved sequences. Thus, miRNA totals in the diagram sections do not necessarily match those stated in the main text referring only to 5′ sequence identity or only to ≥70% overall homology. Moreover, dme-miR-3, dme-miR-12 and dme-miR-318 are listed in both fly_nematode and fly_human groups but not in the fly_nematode_human group because their corresponding C. elegans and H. sapiens homologs are not cross related in sequence under our criteria. Similarly, dme-miR-3, dme-miR-12, dme-miR-263a and dme-miR-318 are included in both fly_nematode and fly_human groups but not in the fly_nematode_human group when only 5′ homology is considered (main text).