Cui Lab

Noncoding Genomic Informatics

  • microRNAs (miRNA) are a class of small non-coding regulatory RNAs, which may to mRNAs to cause degradation or translation inhabitation for the targeting mRNAs.

  • Genetic variations in microRNA seed region or binding site can disrupt the interaction between the microRNA and the mRNA, rewire the microRNA regulatory networks, and cause various diseases.

  • PolymiRTS (Polymorphism in microRNAs and their Target Sites) is a database of DNA variations in microRNA seed regions and microRNA target sites.

  • MicroRNAs can bind to many types of RNAs, including mRNA, circular RNAs (circRNAs), and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs).

  • These RNAs are called competing en-dogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) as they compete for the binding of microRNAs.

  • The ceRNAs can regulate the abundance of a microRNA-targeting mRNA by competing for the microRNA binding.

  • The aberrant microRNA-ceRNA interactions are associated with many types of cancers.

  • SomamiR is a database of cancer somatic mutations in microRNAs and their target sites that potentially alter the interactions between miRNAs and ceRNAs, including mRNAs, circRNAs and lncRNAs.

  • The CTCF protein functions as a genomic insulator, which sets boundaries to block the interaction between enhancers and promoters. It is also important for 3D organization of the genome.

  • The CFCF-binding site database is a collection of known CTCF binding sites.

  • It also provides tools for the prediction and functional analysis of the CTCF binding sites.