title: MicroRNA Promoter Identification in Arabidopsis Using Multiple Histone Markers.
abstract: A microRNA is a small noncoding RNA molecule, which functions in RNA silencing and posttranscriptional regulation of gene expression. To understand the mechanism of the activation of microRNA genes, the location of promoter regions driving their expression is required to be annotated precisely. Only a fraction of microRNA genes have confirmed transcription start sites (TSSs), which hinders our understanding of the transcription factor binding events. With the development of the next generation sequencing technology, the chromatin states can be inferred precisely by virtue of a combination of specific histone modifications. Using the genome-wide profiles of nine histone markers including H3K4me2, H3K4me3, H3K9Ac, H3K9me2, H3K18Ac, H3K27me1, H3K27me3, H3K36me2, and H3K36me3, we developed a computational strategy to identify the promoter regions of most microRNA genes in Arabidopsis, based upon the assumption that the distribution of histone markers around the TSSs of microRNA genes is similar to the TSSs of protein coding genes. Among 298 miRNA genes, our model identified 42 independent miRNA TSSs and 132 miRNA TSSs, which are located in the promoters of upstream genes. The identification of promoters will provide better understanding of microRNA regulation and can play an important role in the study of diseases at genetic level.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150001, China ; Information and Computer Engineering College, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150001, China.
authors.forename: Yuming
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: School of Computer Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150001, China.
authors.forename: Fang
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: School of Computer Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150001, China.
authors.forename: Liran
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Juan
mesh_terms: D017360:Arabidopsis / Q000235:genetics*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism*; D006657:Histones / Q000378:metabolism*; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D016366:Open Reading Frames / Q000235:genetics; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D012372:ROC Curve; D060388:Support Vector Machine; D024363:Transcription Initiation Site
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D006657:Histones; D035683:MicroRNAs