scholarly journals Small noncoding RNA discovery and profiling with sRNAtools based on high-throughput sequencing

Author(s):  
Qi Liu ◽  
Changjun Ding ◽  
Xiaoqiang Lang ◽  
Ganggang Guo ◽  
Jiafei Chen ◽  
...  

Abstract Small noncoding RNAs (sRNA/sncRNAs) are generated from different genomic loci and play important roles in biological processes, such as cell proliferation and the regulation of gene expression. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) has provided an unprecedented opportunity to discover and quantify diverse kinds of sncRNA, such as tRFs (tRNA-derived small RNA fragments), phasiRNAs (phased, secondary, small-interfering RNAs), Piwi-interacting RNA (piRNAs) and plant-specific 24-nt short interfering RNAs (siRNAs). However, currently available web-based tools do not provide approaches to comprehensively analyze all of these diverse sncRNAs. This study presents a novel integrated platform, sRNAtools (https://bioinformatics.caf.ac.cn/sRNAtools), that can be used in conjunction with high-throughput sequencing to identify and functionally annotate sncRNAs, including profiling microRNAss, piRNAs, tRNAs, small nuclear RNAs, small nucleolar RNAs and rRNAs and discovering isomiRs, tRFs, phasiRNAs and plant-specific 24-nt siRNAs for up to 21 model organisms. Different modules, including single case, batch case, group case and target case, are developed to provide users with flexible ways of studying sncRNA. In addition, sRNAtools supports different ways of uploading small RNA sequencing data in a very interactive queue system, while local versions based on the program package/Docker/virtureBox are also available. We believe that sRNAtools will greatly benefit the scientific community as an integrated tool for studying sncRNAs.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Michael Smith ◽  
Gyorgy Hutvagner

Abstract MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are non-coding small RNAs which play a critical role in the regulation of gene expression in cells. It is known that miRNAs are often expressed as multiple isoforms, called isomiRs, which may have alternative regulatory functions. Despite the recent development of several single cell small RNA sequencing protocols, these methods have not been leveraged to investigate isomiR expression and regulation to better understand their role on a single cell level. Here we integrate sequencing data from three independent studies and find substantial differences in isomiR composition that suggest that cell autonomous mechanisms may drive isomiR processing. We also find evidence of altered regulatory functions of different classes of isomiRs, when compared to their respective wild-type miRNA, which supports a biological role for many of the isomiRs that are expressed.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carrie Wright ◽  
Anandita Rajpurohit ◽  
Emily E. Burke ◽  
Courtney Williams ◽  
Leonardo Collado-Torres ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTHigh-throughput sequencing offers advantages over other quantification methods for microRNA (miRNA), yet numerous biases make reliable quantification challenging. Previous evaluations of the biases associated with small RNA sequencing have focused on adapter ligation bias with limited evaluation of reverse transcription or amplification biases. Furthermore, evaluations of the accuracy of quantifications of isomiRs (miRNA isoforms) or the influence of starting amount on performance have been very limited and no study has yet evaluated differences in the quantification of isomiRs of altered length. In addition, no studies have yet compared the consistency of results derived from multiple moderate starting inputs. We therefore evaluated quantifications of miRNA and isomiRs using four library preparation kits, with various starting amounts, as well as quantifications following removal of duplicate reads using unique molecular identifiers (UMIs) to mitigate reverse transcription and amplification biases. All methods resulted in false isomiR detection; however, the adapter-free method tested was especially prone to false isomiR detection. We demonstrate that using UMIs improves accuracy and we provide a guide for input amounts to improve consistency. Our data show differences and limitations of current methods, thus raising concerns about the validity of quantification of miRNA and isomiRs across studies. We advocate for the use of UMIs to improve accuracy and reliability of miRNA quantifications.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (21) ◽  
pp. 10068
Author(s):  
Jinqiang Yan ◽  
Min Wang ◽  
Wenrui Liu ◽  
Dasen Xie ◽  
Xiaoming He ◽  
...  

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous single-stranded non-coding small RNAs of 20-24 nucleotides and play important roles in many plant biological and metabolic processes. Wax gourd is an important vegetable of Cucurbitacea family, with great economic and medicinal value. Although miRNAs have been extensively studied in model plant species, less is known in wax gourd (Benincasa hispida). In this study, in order to identify miRNAs in wax groud, five independent small RNA libraries were constructed using leaf, root, stem, flower, and fruit of B227. Based on high-throughput Illumina deep sequencing. In total, 422 known and 409 novel miRNAs were identified from five libraries. Comparative analysis revealed that many miRNAs were differentially expressed among different tissues, indicating tissue-specific expression of some miRNAs. qRT-PCR verified the reliability of small RNA sequencing results. Furthermore, miRNAs with similar expression patterns among five tissues were clustered into the same profile, among which many miRNAs were found with relatively high expression in the fruit of wax gourd. MiR164-x had the highest expression in fruit than in other tissues and many NAC transcription factors were predicted as its target genes. We propose that miR164 might regulate fruit development by forming miR164-NAC module in wax gourd. Taken together, this study provides the first global miRNAs profiling of wax gourd, and lays the foundation for understanding the regulatory roles of miRNAs in the growth and development processes of wax gourd.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Derek Toms ◽  
Bo Pan ◽  
Yinshan Bai ◽  
Julang Li

AbstractNuclear small RNAs have emerged as an important subset of non-coding RNA species that are capable of regulating gene expression. A type of small RNA, microRNA (miRNA) have been shown to regulate development of the ovarian follicle via canonical targeting and translational repression. Little has been done to study these molecules at a subcellular level. Using cell fractionation and high throughput sequencing, we surveyed cytoplasmic and nuclear small RNA found in the granulosa cells of the pig ovarian antral preovulatory follicle. Bioinformatics analysis revealed a diverse network of small RNA that differ in their subcellular distribution and implied function. We identified predicted genomic DNA binding sites for nucleus-enriched miRNAs that may potentially be involved in transcriptional regulation. The small nucleolar RNA (snoRNA) SNORA73, known to be involved in steroid synthesis, was also found to be highly enriched in the cytoplasm, suggesting a role for snoRNA species in ovarian function. Taken together, these data provide an important resource to study the small RNAome in ovarian follicles and how they may impact fertility.


Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 267
Author(s):  
Axel J. Giudicatti ◽  
Ariel H. Tomassi ◽  
Pablo A. Manavella ◽  
Agustin L. Arce

MicroRNAs are small regulatory RNAs involved in several processes in plants ranging from development and stress responses to defense against pathogens. In order to accomplish their molecular functions, miRNAs are methylated and loaded into one ARGONAUTE (AGO) protein, commonly known as AGO1, to stabilize and protect the molecule and to assemble a functional RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC). A specific machinery controls miRNA turnover to ensure the silencing release of targeted-genes in given circumstances. The trimming and tailing of miRNAs are fundamental modifications related to their turnover and, hence, to their action. In order to gain a better understanding of these modifications, we analyzed Arabidopsis thaliana small RNA sequencing data from a diversity of mutants, related to miRNA biogenesis, action, and turnover, and from different cellular fractions and immunoprecipitations. Besides confirming the effects of known players in these pathways, we found increased trimming and tailing in miRNA biogenesis mutants. More importantly, our analysis allowed us to reveal the importance of ARGONAUTE 1 (AGO1) loading, slicing activity, and cellular localization in trimming and tailing of miRNAs.


2013 ◽  
Vol 33 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kasey C Vickers ◽  
Michael G Levin ◽  
Michael P Anderson ◽  
Qing Xu ◽  
Joshua Anzinger ◽  
...  

Many HDL-microRNAs (miRNA) are well-characterized post-transcriptional regulators of inflammation, and are significantly increased on HDL with hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis in humans and mice. Therefore, we hypothesize that inflammatory cells uniquely control their own gene expression through cellular miRNA export to HDL and then regulate recipient cell gene expression through HDL-mediated miRNA delivery. To test this hypothesis, we used high-throughput proteomics, Open Arrays, small RNA sequencing, and gene expression microarrays. Human monocytes (plasma elutriation) were differentiated into dendritic cells and multiple macrophage phenotypes. Each cell-type was incubated with pure reconstituted HDL (rHDL), which was then purified from culture media by apolipoprotein A-I immunoprecipitation after 24 h, and both cellular and HDL-miRNAs were profiled using TaqMan Open Arrays. Macrophages were found to export high levels of miRNAs to HDL that inhibit monocyte/macrophage differentiation (miR-146a, miR-223); however, monocytes were also found to export many miRNAs associated with differentiation, including miR-92a, miR-222, miR-17, miR-20a, miR106a, and miR-21. Furthermore, many miRNAs were found to be transcribed in inflammatory cells, but completely exported to HDL and not retained in the cell. Most interestingly, HDL treatment was found to induce miR-223 transcription in monocytes, as determined by primary miR-223 transcript levels; however, intracellular levels of the mature form (miR-223) did not change. These results suggest that HDL induces the export of miRNAs it transports. PAR-CLIP with high-throughput small RNA sequencing was used to demonstrate that miRNAs are transferred from macrophages to endothelial cells and loaded onto cellular Argonaute 2-continaining RNA-induced silencing complexes. To demonstrate this in mice, human HDL, containing endogenous levels of miR-223, were injected into miR-223-null mice and inflammation-associated miRNA delivery was mapped in vivo. In summary, we found profound differences in the cellular response to HDL treatment and HDL-miRNA communication amongst inflammatory cell phenotypes that are physiologically relevant to cardiovascular disease.


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