DIANA-miRPath v4.0: expanding target-based miRNA functional analysis in cell-type and tissue contexts

Area of Science:

• Bioinformatics
• Computational Biology
• Genomics

Background:

• MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play crucial roles in gene regulation.
• Understanding combined miRNA effects requires sophisticated analysis tools.
• Existing platforms may lack flexibility for specific biological contexts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce DIANA-miRPath version 4.0, an advanced online platform for miRNA functional analysis.
• To enable tailored analysis by integrating diverse miRNA interaction datasets and biological contexts.
• To provide a versatile tool for exploring miRNA functions using various data types.

Main Methods:

• Integration of experimentally supported and in silico predicted miRNA-target interactions.
• Enrichment analysis across Gene Ontology (GO) terms, KEGG, REACTOME pathways, MSigDB, and PFAM.
• Incorporation of bulk and single-cell expression datasets (TCGA, GTEx, etc.).
• Inclusion of a module for CRISPR knock-out screen dataset analysis.
• Development of a redesigned modular interface with extensive customization options.

Main Results:

• DIANA-miRPath v4.0 offers a flexible engine for target-based miRNA functional analysis.
• Users can perform enrichment analyses tailored to specific biological and experimental contexts.
• The platform supports a wide range of input data, including custom sets.
• Analysis of integrated datasets allows assessment of miRNA effects across various biological states.
• CRISPR screen analysis aids in identifying crucial miRNAs for specific conditions.

Conclusions:

• DIANA-miRPath v4.0 represents a significant advancement in miRNA analysis tools.
• Its versatility and integration capabilities empower researchers to explore complex miRNA functions.
• The platform facilitates deeper insights into miRNA roles in diverse biological processes and diseases.