Evidence that miRNAs are different from other RNAs (original) (raw)

Abstract.

An examination of 513 known pre-miRNAs and 237 other RNAs (tRNA, rRNA, and mRNA) revealed that miRNAs were significantly different from other RNAs (p < 0.001). miRNA genes were less conserved than other RNA genes, although their mature miRNA sequences were highly conserved. The A+U content of pre-miRNAs was higher than non-coding RNA (p < 0.001), but lower than mRNAs. The nucleotides in pre-miRNAs formed more hydrogen bonds and base pairs than in other RNAs. miRNAs had higher negative adjusted minimal folding free energies than other RNAs except tRNAs (p < 0.001). The MFE index (MFEI) was a sufficient criterion to distinguish miRNAs from all coding and non-coding RNAs (p < 0.001). The MFEI for miRNAs was 0.97, significantly higher than tRNAs (0.64), rRNAs (0.59), or mRNAs (0.65). Our findings should facilitate the prediction and identification of new miRNAs using computational and experimental strategies.

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Authors and Affiliations

1. The Institute of Environmental and Human Health (TIEHH), and Department of Environmental Toxicology, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, 79409-1163, USA
   B. H. Zhang, X. P. Pan, S. B. Cox, G. P. Cobb & T. A. Anderson

Authors

1. B. H. Zhang
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2. X. P. Pan
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3. S. B. Cox
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4. G. P. Cobb
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5. T. A. Anderson
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Corresponding author

Correspondence toT. A. Anderson.

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Received 5 October 2005; received after revision 4 November 2005; accepted 16 November 2005

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Zhang, B.H., Pan, X.P., Cox, S.B. et al. Evidence that miRNAs are different from other RNAs.Cell. Mol. Life Sci. 63, 246–254 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00018-005-5467-7

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• Published: 06 January 2006
• Issue Date: January 2006
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00018-005-5467-7

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