Exo-miRExplorer: A Comprehensive Resource for Exploring and Comparatively Analyzing Exogenous MicroRNAs

Area of Science:

• Molecular Biology
• Bioinformatics
• Genomics

Background:

• MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are crucial regulatory molecules found across diverse species.
• High-throughput sequencing frequently detects exogenous miRNAs (exo-miRNAs) from non-target organisms.
• The origin and implications of exo-miRNAs in sequencing data remain largely unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel platform, exo-miRExplorer, for identifying and analyzing exo-miRNAs from small RNA sequencing data.
• To characterize exo-miRNAs, including their expression, origins, and associated sequencing platforms.
• To investigate the sources and patterns of exo-miRNAs in biological samples.

Main Methods:

• Development of the exo-miRExplorer bioinformatics platform.
• Analysis of high-throughput small RNA sequencing data from various organisms and tissues.
• Comparative analysis of exo-miRNA profiles across different experimental datasets.

Main Results:

• Thousands of exo-miRNAs were identified and characterized within the exo-miRExplorer database.
• Significant correlations in exo-miRNA profiles were observed within the same study.
• Evidence suggests non-dietary sources for plant-derived exo-miRNAs and host cell presence of virus-derived exo-miRNAs.

Conclusions:

• exo-miRExplorer serves as an integrative resource for detecting and analyzing exo-miRNAs.
• The platform facilitates a deeper understanding of exo-miRNA origins and their presence in sequencing data.
• Findings support the transfer of exogenous RNAs, including viral and plant miRNAs, into host cells.