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Post-transcriptional control of gene expression is achieved through RNA interference where the activities of Dicer-like (DCL), Argonautes (AGO) and RNA-dependent RNA polymerases (RDRs) are significant. Hence, considering the importance of DCL, AGO and RDRs, a comprehensive genome-wide analysis was performed in foxtail millet. The study identified 8 DCL, 19 AGO and 11 RDR genes. Phylogenetic and domain analysis provided interesting information on the evolutionary and structural aspects of these proteins. The orthologs of Setaria italica DCL (SiDCL), AGO (SiAGO) and RDRs (SiRDRs) were identified in sorghum, maize and rice, and the evolutionary relationships among the orthologous gene pairs were investigated. Promoter analysis of SiDCL, SiAGO and SiRDR genes revealed the presence of unique and common cis-acting elements at the upstream of respective gene sequences, which …