Figure 3
Analysis of changes in expression of miRNA regulated repressor genes and their predicted target genes is consistent with TOM. The 843 predicted target genes of 31 upregulated miRNAs and 10 downregulated repressors were divided into 6 groups based upon the number of upregulated miRNAs targeting each gene. (The number of genes included in each group is shown over the bars). (A) The strength of miRNA regulatory control on target genes increases with the number of miRNAs targeting individual genes. Bars represent the percentage of upregulated genes. The fact that ~20% of genes targeted by even large numbers (16–31) of upregulated miRNAs continue to display the unexpected PC is consistent with TOM. The chi-square test for trend is X 2 = 67.34; p < 0.0001. (B) Genes targeted by 2–5 downregulated repressors (gray bars) override miRNA regulatory effects on coregulated target genes relative to genes targeted by one downregulated repressor (blue bars). The chi-square test for trend is X 2 = 5.25, p < 0.0219.