Xeno-miRNet: a comprehensive database and analytics platform to explore xeno-miRNAs and their potential targets

Xeno-miRNAs are microRNAs originating from exogenous species detected in host biofluids. A growing number of studies have suggested that many of these xeno-miRNAs may be involved in cross-species interactions and manipulations. To date, hundreds of xeno-miRNAs have been reported in different hosts at various abundance levels. Based on computational predictions, many more miRNAs could be potentially transferred to human circulation system. There is a clear need for bioinformatics resources and tools dedicated to xeno-miRNA annotations and their potential functions. To address this need, we have systematically curated xeno-miRNAs from multiple sources, performed target predictions using well-established algorithms, and developed a user-friendly web-based tool—Xeno-miRNet—to allow researchers to search and explore xeno-miRNAs and their potential targets within different host species. Xeno-miRNet currently contains 1,702 (including both detected and predicted) xeno-miRNAs from 54 species and 98,053 potential gene targets in six hosts. The web application is freely available at http://xeno.mirnet.ca.