TRForest: a novel random forest-based algorithm for tRNA-derived fragment target prediction
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ABSTRACT: tRNA fragments (tRFs) are a novel class of small RNAs comparable to the size and function of miRNAs. We and others have shown that tRFs are generally Dicer independent, can be found in abundance in the miRNA effector protein Ago, and can repress expression of specific genes that have complementarity to their 5’ seed-sequences. Given that this greatly expands the repertoire of small RNAs capable of post-transcriptional gene expression, it is important to predict tRF targets with confidence. Some attempts have been made to predict tRF targets, but are limited in the scope of tRF classes used in prediction or limited in feature selection. We hypothesized that established miRNA target prediction features applied to tRFs through a random forest machine learning algorithm will immensely improve tRF target prediction. Using this approach, we show significant improvements in tRF target prediction for all classes of tRFs and validate our predictions in two independent cell lines. Finally, using Gene Ontology analysis, we provide evidence that tRF-3009a targets may be involved in neural development. These improvements to tRF target prediction further our understanding of tRF function broadly across species and tRF types, and provide avenues for testing novel roles for tRFs in biology.
ORGANISM(S): Homo sapiens
PROVIDER: GSE189510 | GEO | 2022/05/16
REPOSITORIES: GEO
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