Affiliation:
1. Mendel Centre for Plant Genomics and Proteomics, CEITEC Masaryk University , Brno CZ-62500 , Czech Republic
2. Laboratory of Functional Genomics and Proteomics, NCBR, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University , Brno CZ-61137 , Czech Republic
3. Department of Cell Biology and Radiobiology, Institute of Biophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences , Brno CZ-61265 , Czech Republic
Abstract
Abstract
Background
While web-based tools such as BLAST have made identifying conserved gene homologs appear easy, genes with variable sequences pose significant challenges. Functionally important noncoding RNAs (ncRNA) often show low sequence conservation due to genetic variations, including insertions and deletions. Rather than conserved sequences, these RNAs possess highly conserved structural features across a broad phylogenetic range. Such features can be identified using the covariance models approach, which combines sequence alignment with a secondary RNA structure consensus. However, running standard implementation of that approach (Infernal) requires advanced bioinformatics knowledge compared to user-friendly web services like BLAST. The issue is partially addressed by RNAcentral, which can be used to search for homologs across a broad range of ncRNA sequence collections from diverse organisms but not across the genome assemblies.
Results
Here, we present GERONIMO, which conducts evolutionary searches across hundreds of genomes in a fully automated way. It provides results extended with taxonomy context, as summary tables and visualizations, to facilitate analysis for user convenience. Additionally, GERONIMO supplements homologous sequences with genomic regions to analyze promoter motifs or gene collinearity, enhancing the validation of results.
Conclusion
GERONIMO, built using Snakemake, has undergone extensive testing on hundreds of genomes, establishing itself as a valuable tool in the identification of ncRNA homologs across diverse taxonomic groups. Consequently, GERONIMO facilitates the investigation of the evolutionary patterns of functionally significant ncRNA players, whose understanding has previously been limited to individual organisms and close relatives.
Funder
International Visegrad Fund
Agata M. Kilar; Grantová Agentura České Republiky
Publisher
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Subject
Computer Science Applications,Health Informatics