miRNA Nomenclature: A View Incorporating Genetic Origins, Biosynthetic Pathways, and Sequence Variants.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

11-2015

JAX Source

Trends Genet 2015 Nov; 31(11):613-26.

Volume

31

Issue

11

First Page

613

Last Page

626

ISSN

0168-9525

PMID

26453491

Grant

5P41HG000330

Abstract

High-throughput sequencing of miRNAs has revealed the diversity and variability of mature and functional short noncoding RNAs, including their genomic origins, biogenesis pathways, sequence variability, and newly identified products such as miRNA-offset RNAs (moRs). Here we review known cases of alternative mature miRNA-like RNA fragments and propose a revised definition of miRNAs to encompass this diversity. We then review nomenclature guidelines for miRNAs and propose to extend nomenclature conventions to align with those for protein-coding genes established by international consortia. Finally, we suggest a system to encompass the full complexity of sequence variations (i.e., isomiRs) in the analysis of small RNA sequencing experiments. Trends Genet 2015 Nov; 31(11):613-26.

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