MiRdetector：一个预测与搜寻miRNA基因的计算工具

MicroRNA（miRNA）是一类内源性的长约21～24 nucleotide(nt)的非编码小分子RNA，能够调节其它基因的表达活性，在生物体的发育过程中发挥重要的作用.每种生物体中miRNA的基因总数还未知，生物信息学分析手段为发现新的miRNA基因提供了有效的方法.作者开发了一个预测与搜寻miRNA基因的完全自动化系统“MiRdetector”.MiRdetector系统是基于计算机比对和miRNA前体茎环结构判断的.用水稻miRNA基因对系统的预测精度进行了检验，系统正确识别了155个样本中的140个，预测精度达到90.32％，并且搜寻到了95个可能的水稻miRNA基因.由于系统的假阳性率较低，因此能够为进一步证实miRNA基因的实验研究提供高质量的数据集.

MiRdetector: A Computational Tool to Predict and Detect miRNA Genes

MicroRNA (miRNA) are a class of endogenous 21～24 nucleotide non-coding small RNAs. They may participate in a wide range of genetic regulatory pathways and play an important role in the development of both animals and plants. The number of miRNA genes in every species is still unknown. Bioinformatics analytic method has been used to find novel miRNA genes. In this study, a computational system called MiRdetector is developed, which is used to predict and identify miRNA genes. The computational system is based on homology search and prediction of stem-loop structure. Oryza sativa miRNA genes were used to examine the prediction quality. In total, 140 in 155 samples were correctly identified. The prediction accuracy reaches 90.32%. Moreover, detected 95 potential miRNA genes were detected. The false positive rate was low, so the data set of candidate miRNA genes can well be used for further verification in experiments.