Computational Approaches for MicroRNA Studies: a Review

Overview

Journal Mamm Genome

Specialty Genetics

Date 2009 Dec 17

PMID 20012966

Citations 69

Authors

Li Li

Jianzhen Xu

Deyin Yang

Xiaorong Tan

Hongfei Wang

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are one class of tiny, endogenous RNAs that can regulate messenger RNA (mRNA) expression by targeting homologous sequences in mRNAs. Their aberrant expressions have been observed in many cancers and several miRNAs have been convincingly shown to play important roles in carcinogenesis. Since the discovery of this small regulator, computational methods have been indispensable tools in miRNA gene finding and functional studies. In this review we first briefly outline the biological findings of miRNA genes, such as genomic feature, biogenesis, gene structure, and functional mechanism. We then discuss in detail the three main aspects of miRNA computational studies: miRNA gene finding, miRNA target prediction, and regulation of miRNA genes. Finally, we provide perspectives on some emerging issues, including combinatorial regulation by miRNAs and functional binding sites beyond the 3'-untranslated region (3'UTR) of target mRNAs. Available online resources for miRNA computational studies are also provided.

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