Enrichment analysis of miRNA targets
- Resource Type
- Authors
- Jianzhen, Xu; Chi-Wai, Wong
- Source
- Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.). 936
- Subject
- Internet
MicroRNAs
Gene Expression Regulation
Gene Expression Profiling
Animals
Computational Biology
Humans
Molecular Sequence Annotation
- Language
- ISSN
- 1940-6029
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of ∼22-nucleotide endogenous noncoding RNAs which regulate target gene expression via repressing translation or promoting mRNAs degradation. Any individual mammalian miRNA often has more than a hundred predicted mRNA targets and that close to one thirds of all mRNA transcripts bear one or more conserved miRNA binding sites in their 3'-untranslated region. Enrichment analysis of miRNA targets has become a standard technique to elucidating hierarchical functions of miRNAs in gene regulatory networks. In this protocol, we discuss analytical methods and use of computational tools in a step-by-step manner. Important details are also provided to help researchers choose more appropriate tools for a given type of analysis. Available Web-based resources for enrichment analysis of miRNA targets are summarized.