University of Sydney, Newtown, Australia.
Adv Exp Med Biol. 2013;774:39-53. doi: 10.1007/978-94-007-5590-1_3.
The accurate prediction and validation of microRNA targets is essential to understanding the function of microRNAs. Computational predictions indicate that all human genes may be regulated by microRNAs, with each microRNA possibly targeting thousands of genes. Here we discuss computational and experimental methods for identifying mammalian microRNA targets. We describe microRNA target prediction resources and procedures that are suitable for experiments where more accurate prediction of microRNA targets is more important than detecting all putative targets. We then discuss experimental methods for identifying and validating microRNA target genes, with an emphasis on the target reporter assay as the method of choice for specifically testing functional microRNA target sites.
准确预测和验证 microRNA 靶标对于理解 microRNA 的功能至关重要。计算预测表明，所有人类基因都可能受到 microRNA 的调控，每个 microRNA 可能靶向数千个基因。在这里，我们讨论用于鉴定哺乳动物 microRNA 靶标的计算和实验方法。我们描述了 microRNA 靶标预测资源和程序，这些资源和程序适用于更准确预测 microRNA 靶标比检测所有可能的靶标更为重要的实验。然后，我们讨论了鉴定和验证 microRNA 靶基因的实验方法，重点介绍了靶报告基因测定作为专门测试功能 microRNA 靶位的首选方法。
