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. 2006 Jan 1;34(Database issue):D119-24.
doi: 10.1093/nar/gkj073.

GRSDB: a database of quadruplex forming G-rich sequences in alternatively processed mammalian pre-mRNA sequences

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GRSDB: a database of quadruplex forming G-rich sequences in alternatively processed mammalian pre-mRNA sequences

Rumen Kostadinov et al. Nucleic Acids Res. .

Abstract

Guanine-rich nucleic acids are known to form highly stable G-quadruplex structures, also known as G-quartets. Recently, there has been a tremendous amount of interest in studying G-quadruplexes owing to the realization of their biological importance. G-rich sequences (GRSs) capable of forming G-quadruplexes are found in the vicinity of polyadenylation regions and are involved in regulating 3' end processing of mammalian pre-mRNAs. G-rich motifs are also known to play an important role in alternative, tissue-specific splicing by interacting with hnRNP H protein subfamily. Whether quadruplex structure directly plays a role in regulating RNA processing events requires further investigation. To date there has not been a comprehensive effort to study G-quadruplexes near RNA processing sites. We have applied a computational approach to map putative Quadruplex forming GRSs within the transcribed regions of a large number of alternatively processed human and mouse gene sequences that were obtained as fully annotated entries from GenBank and RefSeq. We have used the computed data to build the GRSDB database that provides a unique avenue for studying G-quadruplexes in the context of RNA processing sites. GRSDB website offers visual comparison of G-quadruplex distribution patterns among all the alternative RNA products of a gene with the help of dynamic graphics. At present, GRSDB contains data from 1310 human and mouse genes, of which 1188 are alternatively processed. It has a total of 379,223 predicted G-quadruplexes, of which 54,252 are near RNA processing sites. GRSDB is a good resource for researchers interested in investigating the functional relevance of G-quadruplexes, especially in the context of alternative RNA processing. It can be accessed at http://bioinformatics.ramapo.edu/grsdb/.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
QGRS: 5′-GGGCAGGGCAGGUGGGA-3′. Predicted intramolecular G-quadruplex formed by a GRS.
Figure 2
Figure 2
MUCDHL—Gene View. The first table in this view gives basic information about the gene being analyzed, including the alternatively spliced or polydenylated status of the gene. The second table provides information about the first alternatively spliced RNA product of the gene, including numbers of exons/introns/poly(A) signals. Also displayed are the total number of QGRS in the product and near RNA processing sites (i.e. within 120 nt of a site). Located below each product table are buttons allowing the user to view the QGRS information for that product in two ways; the data view and the graphic view, shown in Figures 3 and 4. Not shown are the second product table and the button placed at the bottom of the page allowing the user to analyze all RNA products simultaneously. To view the entire screen shot, see the Supplementary Data.
Figure 3
Figure 3
MUCDHL—Data View. A table of the mapping data for the non-overlapping QGRS in the product (refer to the text for explanation of non-overlapping) is shown. The table provides the location of QGRS in exons, the distance from 3′ and 5′ splice sites, the actual sequence, and its G-score (refer to the text for explanation). Not shown are the tables for QGRS mapping data in introns and in poly(A) regions. To view the entire screen shot, see Supplementary Data.
Figure 4
Figure 4
MUCDHL gene—Graphic View. A visual representation for RNA Product 1 of this gene. The upper graph shows the location of exons/introns in the product, along with a scale to locate their positions. The QGRS in the product are indicated by the vertical bars, whose length is proportional to the G-scores of the QGRS. The lower graph represents a zoom-in of the RNA product 1 displaying the QGRS at position 8310. The arrows at the bottom left are used to navigate the RNA product with the interactive-zoom tool. It is possible to visually compare both the alternatively spliced products, for example, to identify differential association of QGRS with alternative sites. See Supplementary Data for product comparison.

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