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SomamiR: a database for somatic mutations impacting microRNA function in cancer

Anindya Bhattacharya1, Jesse D Ziebarth, Yan Cui

  • 1Department of Microbiology, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 858 Madison Avenue, Memphis, TN 38163, USA.

Nucleic Acids Research
|November 28, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Somatic mutations in cancer can alter microRNA (miRNA) function by affecting their targets. The SomamiR database integrates mutation data to study these impacts on cancer development.

Area of Science:

  • Genomics
  • Cancer Biology
  • Bioinformatics

Background:

  • Whole-genome sequencing reveals numerous somatic mutations distinguishing cancer from normal tissues.
  • Germline mutations in microRNAs (miRNAs) and their targets are known to affect cancer risk and miRNA function.
  • The impact of somatic mutations on miRNA function in cancer remains understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To create a comprehensive resource for investigating the impact of somatic and germline mutations on miRNA function in cancer.
  • To integrate diverse datasets for analyzing mutation-driven alterations in miRNA activity.

Main Methods:

  • Developed the SomamiR database (http://compbio.uthsc.edu/SomamiR/).
  • Integrated somatic mutations affecting miRNA target sites with germline mutations.
  • Incorporated genome-wide and candidate gene association studies, and functional cancer annotations.

Main Results:

  • The SomamiR database houses somatic mutations that may create or disrupt miRNA target sites.
  • It links somatic and germline mutations within the same target sites.
  • Includes experimentally validated mutations in miRNAs and targets impacting function and cancer association.

Conclusions:

  • The SomamiR database provides a valuable resource for exploring the role of somatic mutations in miRNA function and cancer.
  • Facilitates research into how mutations in miRNAs and their targets contribute to cancer development.

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