miRecords: an integrated resource for microRNA-target interactions

TLDR

MicroRNAs regulate gene expression, and although many computational prediction programs exist, accurately identifying animal miRNA targets remains challenging. The authors developed miRecords, an integrated resource intended to aid both experimental miRNA researchers and informatics scientists in developing next‑generation target prediction programs. miRecords comprises a validated‑targets database of 1,135 experimentally confirmed miRNA–target interactions curated with detailed experimental evidence, and a predicted‑targets component aggregating predictions from 11 established programs. The current release contains 1,135 validated interactions among 301 miRNAs and 902 genes across seven species and is accessible at http://miRecords.umn.edu/miRecords.

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are an important class of small noncoding RNAs capable of regulating other genes' expression. Much progress has been made in computational target prediction of miRNAs in recent years. More than 10 miRNA target prediction programs have been established, yet, the prediction of animal miRNA targets remains a challenging task. We have developed miRecords, an integrated resource for animal miRNA–target interactions. The Validated Targets component of this resource hosts a large, high-quality manually curated database of experimentally validated miRNA–target interactions with systematic documentation of experimental support for each interaction. The current release of this database includes 1135 records of validated miRNA–target interactions between 301 miRNAs and 902 target genes in seven animal species. The Predicted Targets component of miRecords stores predicted miRNA targets produced by 11 established miRNA target prediction programs. miRecords is expected to serve as a useful resource not only for experimental miRNA researchers, but also for informatics scientists developing the next-generation miRNA target prediction programs. The miRecords is available at http://miRecords.umn.edu/miRecords.