GeneCaRNA: A Comprehensive Gene-centric Database of Human Non-coding RNAs in the GeneCards Suite

J Mol Biol. 2021 May 28;433(11):166913. doi: 10.1016/j.jmb.2021.166913. Epub 2021 Mar 4.

Abstract

Non-coding RNA (ncRNA) genes assume increasing biological importance, with growing associations with diseases. Many ncRNA sources are transcript-centric, but for non-coding variant analysis and disease decipherment it is essential to transform this information into a comprehensive set of genome-mapped ncRNA genes. We present GeneCaRNA, a new all-inclusive gene-centric ncRNA database within the GeneCards Suite. GeneCaRNA information is integrated from four community-backed data structures: the major transcript database RNAcentral with its 20 encompassed databases, and the ncRNA entries of three major gene resources HGNC, Ensembl and NCBI Gene. GeneCaRNA presents 219,587 ncRNA gene pages, a 7-fold increase from those available in our three gene mining sources. Each ncRNA gene has wide-ranging annotation, mined from >100 worldwide sources, providing a powerful GeneCards-leveraged search. The latter empowers VarElect, our disease-gene interpretation tool, allowing one to systematically decipher ncRNA variants. The combined power of GeneCaRNA with GeneHancer, our regulatory elements database, facilitates wide-ranging scrutiny of the non-coding terra incognita of gene networks and whole genome analyses.

Keywords: RNAcentral; comprehensive ncRNA compendium; disease-gene interpretation; non-coding universe; whole genome sequencing.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Databases, Nucleic Acid*
  • Gene Regulatory Networks
  • Genes*
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Humans
  • RNA, Untranslated / genetics*
  • Software*

Substances

  • RNA, Untranslated