miRCancerdb: a database for correlation analysis between microRNA and gene expression in cancer

Area of Science:

• Genomics
• Molecular Biology
• Bioinformatics

Background:

• MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulators of gene expression, influencing translation and mRNA degradation.
• Dysregulation of miRNAs is linked to various physiological and pathological conditions, including cancer.

Purpose of the Study:

• To pre-calculate and provide access to the correlation between microRNA expression and gene expression (mRNA and protein) in cancer.
• To develop an accessible resource for investigating microRNA-mediated gene regulation in oncogenesis.

Main Methods:

• Utilized public-access The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) expression data for miRNAs, mRNAs, and proteins across multiple cancer types.
• Integrated TargetScan miRNA-target annotations for comprehensive analysis.
• Developed an interactive web application to host the calculated correlations in a searchable database (miRCancerdb).

Main Results:

• Successfully calculated expression correlations between numerous miRNAs and their target genes (mRNA and protein) in various cancer studies.
• Compiled these findings into the miRCancerdb, a user-friendly database.
• The database enables exploration of miRNA-dependent gene regulation patterns in cancer.

Conclusions:

• miRCancerdb provides a valuable, accessible resource for cancer researchers.
• Facilitates the study of microRNA roles in cancer by offering pre-calculated expression correlation data.
• Aids in understanding microRNA-dependent gene regulation in the context of cancer development.