Cross-mapping and the identification of editing sites in mature microRNAs in high-throughput sequencing libraries.
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short (20-23 nt) RNAs that are sequence-specific mediators of transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. Modern high-throughput technologies enable deep sequencing of such RNA species on an unprecedented scale. We find that the analysis of small RNA deep-sequencing libraries can be affected by cross-mapping, in which RNA sequences originating from one locus are inadvertently mapped to another. Similar to cross-hybridization on microarrays, cross-mapping is prevalent among miRNAs, as they tend to occur in families, are similar or derived from repeat or structural RNAs, or are post-transcriptionally modified. Here, we develop a strategy to correct for cross-mapping, and apply it to the analysis of RNA editing in mature miRNAs. In contrast to previous reports, our analysis suggests that RNA editing in mature miRNAs is rare in animals.
de Hoon
Michiel J L
MJ
Omics Science Center, RIKEN Yokohama Institute, Tsurumi, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan.
Taft
Ryan J
RJ
Hashimoto
Takehiro
T
Kanamori-Katayama
Mutsumi
M
Kawaji
Hideya
H
Kawano
Mitsuoki
M
Kishima
Mami
M
Lassmann
Timo
T
Faulkner
Geoffrey J
GJ
Mattick
John S
JS
Daub
Carsten O
CO
Carninci
Piero
P
Kawai
Jun
J
Suzuki
Harukazu
H
Hayashizaki
Yoshihide
Y
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D015723:Gene Library; D057166:High-Throughput Screening Assays; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D017393:RNA Editing / Q000235:genetics*; D016415:Sequence Alignment / Q000379:methods*; D017423:Sequence Analysis, RNA / Q000379:methods*
D035683:MicroRNAs; C542687:mirnlet7 microRNA, mouse