Prediction and differential analysis of RNA secondary structure
Bo Yu, Yao Lü, Qiangfeng Cliff Zhang, Lin Hou
Abstract
Background RNA structure is the crucial basis for RNA function in various cellular processes. Over the last decade, high throughput structure profiling (SP) experiments have brought enormous insight into RNA secondary structure. Results In this review, we first provide an overview of approaches for RNA secondary structure prediction, including free energy‐based algorithms and comparative sequence analysis. Then we introduce SP technologies, databases to document SP data, and pipelines/algorithms to normalize and interpret SP data. Computational frameworks that incorporate SP data in RNA secondary structure prediction are also presented. Conclusions We finally discuss potential directions for improvement in the prediction and differential analysis of RNA secondary structure.