miRTarBase update 2018: a resource for experimentally validated microRNA-target interactions

Area of Science:

• Molecular Biology
• Genetics
• Bioinformatics

Background:

• MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulators of gene expression at the post-transcriptional level.
• miRTarBase is a crucial resource for experimentally validated miRNA-target interactions (MTIs).

Purpose of the Study:

• To present an updated version of the miRTarBase database with expanded MTI data.
• To enhance the usability and analytical capabilities of the miRTarBase resource.

Main Methods:

• Curated collection of experimentally validated MTIs from scientific literature.
• Inclusion of target site sequences for machine learning analysis.
• Development of enhanced browsing functionalities for user-specific MTI retrieval.

Main Results:

• The database now contains 422,517 curated MTIs involving 4076 miRNAs and 23,054 target genes.
• A ~1.4-fold increase in MTIs with strong evidence compared to the 2016 update.
• Availability of reporter assay-validated target sites for download and analysis.

Conclusions:

• The updated miRTarBase provides a comprehensive and experimentally validated resource for miRNA research.
• Enhanced data and features facilitate deeper analysis of miRNA-mediated gene regulation.
• This resource supports the advancement of miRNA-target prediction tools and related research.