DLREFD: a database providing associations of long non-coding RNAs, environmental factors and phenotypes

The development of many common complex diseases depends on the interactions between genetic factors (GF) and environmental factors (EF). Non-coding RNAs have been identified as major players in regulation of gene expression responding to environmental cues. In recent years, lots of studies have reported that the dysfunctions of long non-coding RNA (lncRNAs), EFs and their inter-actions have strong effects on phenotypes. However, compared with protein coding genes and microRNAs, there is a paucity of bioinformatics resource platform for understanding the disease mechanism in the level of lncRNA-EF interactions. In this study, we constructed the Disease Related LncRNA-EF Interaction Database (DLREFD), which contains a comprehensive collection and curation of experimentally supported interactions among lncRNAs, EFs and phenotypes. It integrated 835 entries, 475 LncRNAs, 153 EFs and 124 phenotypes. The names of lncRNAs, phenotypes, EFs, conditions of EFs, samples, species, evidence and references were further annotated. We hope DLREFD will be a useful resource for researches on lncRNAs, EFs and diseases. Database URL: http://chengroup.cumt.edu.cn/DLREFD