miRNASNP-v4: a comprehensive database for miRNA-related SNPs across 17 species

Area of Science:

• Genomics
• Bioinformatics
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in microRNAs (miRNAs) and their target binding sites impact miRNA biogenesis and regulation, influencing various diseases.
• Existing miRNA-SNP databases are limited by species coverage and data recency.

Purpose of the Study:

• To update and expand the miRNASNP database to version 4, enhancing its utility for studying miRNA-related SNPs.
• To provide a comprehensive, multi-species resource for the functional analysis of SNPs affecting miRNA activity.

Main Methods:

• Data compilation and updating for miRNA and 3'-untranslated region (3'UTR) SNPs across 17 species.
• Characterization of potential effects of identified SNPs on miRNA secondary structure and target binding affinity.
• Integration of gene enrichment analysis, drug response, and immune infiltration association studies for human cancers.

Main Results:

• Identified 82,580 SNPs in miRNAs and 24,836,179 SNPs in gene 3'UTRs across 17 species.
• miRNASNP-v4 includes novel features such as gene enrichment analysis, identification of cancer-related miRNA-SNPs, and inclusion of experimentally validated immune-related miRNAs.
• Developed online prediction tools for 17 animal species, expanding the database's applicability.

Conclusions:

• miRNASNP-v4 represents a significant advancement over previous versions, offering extensive, updated data and new functionalities.
• The database serves as a valuable, user-friendly resource for researchers investigating the functional roles of SNPs and miRNAs in diverse biological contexts and diseases.
• The expanded species coverage and analytical tools facilitate cross-species comparative studies and drug discovery efforts.