Exploring the expanding universe of small RNAs

• Published in: Nature cell biology Vol. 24; no. 4; pp. 415 - 423
• Main Authors: Shi, Junchao, Zhou, Tong, Chen, Qi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 01.04.2022; Nature Publishing Group
• Subjects: 38/71; 45/91; 631/114; 631/1647; 631/337/1645/2570; 631/337/384/521; 82/58; Biology; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biosynthesis; Cancer Research; Cell Biology; Developmental Biology; Laboratories; Life Sciences; MicroRNAs; MicroRNAs - genetics; miRNA; Names; Nucleoli; Perspective; Ribonucleic acid; RNA; RNA, Small Interfering - genetics; RNA, Small Untranslated - genetics; RNA, Small Untranslated - metabolism; siRNA; Stem Cells; Transfer RNA
• ISSN: 1465-7392; 1476-4679; 1476-4679
• DOI: 10.1038/s41556-022-00880-5

The world of small noncoding RNAs (sncRNAs) is ever-expanding, from small interfering RNA, microRNA and Piwi-interacting RNA to the recently emerging non-canonical sncRNAs derived from longer structured RNAs (for example, transfer, ribosomal, Y, small nucleolar, small nuclear and vault RNAs), showing distinct biogenesis and functional principles. Here we discuss recent tools for sncRNA identification, caveats in sncRNA expression analysis and emerging methods for direct sequencing of sncRNAs and systematic mapping of RNA modifications that are integral to their function. Shi et al. discuss recent approaches for the discovery of small noncoding RNAs (sncRNAs), limitations associated with sncRNA expression analyses, and emerging methods for direct and simultaneous detection of multiple RNA modifications.