Degradome sequencing (Degradome-Seq), also referred to as parallel analysis of RNA ends (PARE), is a modified version of 5'-Rapid Amplification of cDNA Ends (RACE) using high-throughput, deep sequencing methods such as Illumina's SBS technology. The degradome encompasses the entire set of proteases that are expressed at a specific time in a given biological material, including tissues, cells, organisms, and biofluids. Thus, sequencing this degradome offers a method for studying and researching the process of RNA degradation. This process is used to identify and quantify RNA degradation products, or fragments, present in any given biological sample. This approach allows for the systematic identification of targets of RNA decay and provides insight into the dynamics of transcriptional and post-transcriptional gene regulation.
Degradome sequencing is a complex process which includes multiple steps such as isolating RNA fragments in a given sample as well as ligation and reverse transcription to form complementary DNA (cDNA) strands. This cDNA can be sequenced, and the results are compared with a transcriptome, or reference genome, in order to determine and characterize the abundance of the RNA fragments identified in this process.
Methods.
Technique.
In general, the basic steps necessary for degradome sequencing include:
Analysis of Sequenced Raw Data.
When analyzing the raw data derived from degradome sequencing, software tools like CleaveLand, PAREsnip, and miRferno are beneficial resources for researchers.
CleaveLand Data Analysis Methodology.
Degradome sequencing data and structural RNAs are used to remove all degradome sequences with exact matches to structural RNAs. The cDNA database is then used to map degradome sequences to cDNA sequences. The degradome sequences with many transcriptome hits are normalized. Then, query sequences of mRNA are generated for the matching degradome sequence. These query sequences are mapped to small RNAs, and a complementarity search is performed to match query sequences to small RNAs. A signal is then released to initiate noise analysis which works to distinguish and separate spurious results from real targets. Lastly, the resulting output of data analysis includes a list of all mRNA targets with the associated alignments for the small RNA-mRNA pairs.
Applications.
Introduction.
The applications of degradome sequencing include identifying microRNA (miRNA) targets, establishing mRNA methods of decay, and finding novel non-coding RNA fragments. In particular, this tool has been used to determine miRNA targets in numerous organisms, such as plants and mammals. Degradome sequencing has also been used to study the role of RNA decay pathways in cancer and identify new types of non-coding RNAs.
Ultimately, degradome sequencing is a powerful tool for the comprehensive analysis of RNA degradation with a variety of applications in biological research as well as medicine.
MicroRNA Research.
MicroRNAs are a class of small noncoding RNA created by removing stem-loop precursors. MiRNAs play a role in controlling gene expression post-transcriptionally in addition to during transcription via RNA silencing. In order to accomplish this, the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) processes pre-microRNAs into mature microRNAs. Mature miRNAs target specific mRNA species for regulation, often via the RISC complex disassembling specific mRNA sequences to inhibit translation.
MiRNAs are highly conserved across a variety of species, so degradome sequencing is used in research to identify mRNA targets in many species. Degradome sequencing has been used to identify miRNA cleavage sites, because miRNAs can cause endonucleolytic cleavage of mRNA by extensive and often perfect complementarity to mRNAs. Degradome sequencing revealed many known and novel plant miRNA and small interfering RNA (siRNA) targets. Recently, degradome sequencing also has been applied to identify animal (human and mouse) miRNA-derived cleavages.
Tracking microRNA Processing Signals by Degradome Sequencing Data Analysis.
In this study, researchers tracked and reported miRNA processing intermediates. Degradome signals on miRNA precursors were extracted and processed for 15 different species. The use of degradome sequencing in this study allowed for the collection of data that supported the analysis and processing of many miRNA precursors, with a greater ratio of high-confidence miRNAs annotated in miRBase, an miRNA database, than those considered low-confidence. Additionally, this study highlighted the importance of degradome sequencing as a technique in the study of miRNA annotation. In particular, the processing signal distribution provided by degradome sequencing data allowed the researchers to propose a new model for the method by which miRNAs are diced and to determine the frequency with which the loop-to-base mode of processing occurred. Ultimately, the results of this study are indicative of the impressive capability of degradome sequencing data to track miRNA processing signals, providing novel insights into miRNA processing and function.
The RNA Degradome: A Precious Resource for Deciphering RNA Processing and Regulation Codes in Plants.
In this study, researchers developed a model in which biologists could use data derived from degradome sequencing to determine the effect of transcriptional and/or post-transcriptional regulation on patterns of gene expression in plants. In particular, this model applies degradome sequencing data to establish the method by which small RNAs (sRNAs) mature and guide the process of targeted gene regulation. The results of this study demonstrate the vast potential applications of degradome sequencing analysis in future research regarding RNA biology in eukaryotes. In particular, degradome sequencing data can be used to track non-coding RNA (ncRNA) processing signals which would be a valuable tool if expanded to include animal-based research.
Cancer Research.
Degradome sequencing can be used to identify cleavage sites of RNAs by sequencing the 5' end of the cleaved RNA fragments. This technique has been widely used in cancer research to identify potential targets of RNA-degrading enzymes involved in cancer progression. As such, degradome sequencing has provided a new method of discovering markers for earlier diagnosis and prognosis determination in cancer patients. Given the established role of extracellular proteases in promoting tumor development and growth across different tissues, degradome sequencing also holds important implications for discovering novel therapeutic targets for cancer treatments.
Degradome-Focused RNA Interference Screens to Identify Proteases Important for Breast Cancer Cell Growth.
In this study, researchers utilized degradome sequencing to analyze all genome-encoded proteases involved in cell growth associated with breast cancer. These genetic screens were performed in two breast cancer cell lines in mice which were phenotypically distinct. One of these was a stem-cell like breast cancer cell line that altered its behavior under varied environmental conditions, such as the availability of oxygen and nutrients. Degradome sequencing, followed by a multistep selection process, revealed 100 protease genes that played a role in the growth of breast cancer cells. While the role of many of these protease genes in breast cancer growth was supported by previous research, this study found some proteases previously unknown to be involved in cancer growth. Additionally, this study revealed that environmental factors, such as nutrient and oxygen abundance, affect the extent to which breast cancer cells rely on specific proteases identified via degradome sequencing.
The results of this study were validated by using individual knockdown constructs in mice which functionally diminished the proteases of interest and affected the expression of breast cancer cells. These results indicate the high degree of reliability of degradome sequencing in identifying proteases involved in the growth of breast cancer cell lines in mouse models. Ultimately, this study concluded that degradome sequencing is a beneficial research tool for discovering and analyzing the functions of proteases in the proliferation of breast cancer. This holds many important implications for the potential degradome sequencing possesses as a diagnostic tool in early breast cancer detection and treatment.