PIMS/VanBug Seminar

Protein output determines cell types and states. In animals, microRNAs
(miRNAs) are key actors in controlling protein output. Mature miRNAs are about 22-nucleotide long. They are loaded in RNA-induced silencing complexes (RISCs), which bind to miRNA complementary sites in messenger RNAs (mRNAs) to repress their translation. Besides, recent studies indicate that various non-coding RNAs control protein output by competitive attraction of miRNAs. I will present an algorithm to predict the microTargetome, i.e. the RISC/mRNA matching, which considers all competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs). The model uses a free-energy of hybridization, and an algorithm that mimics miRNA competition and cooperation. Using this algorithm, we simulated the overexpression of single miRNAs in a specific cell line, and derived a series of biological consequences related to such a protein expression control system. MiRNA, ceRNA, and mRNA levels vary in different cell types and states, including cancer cells. Understanding and predicting microTargetome changes could thus bring insights into the role of RNA in cell differentiation, as well as in cancer development and progression.