miTRATA: a web-based tool for microRNA Truncation and Tailing Analysis.

SUMMARY: We describe miTRATA, the first web-based tool for microRNA Truncation and Tailing Analysis--the analysis of 3' modifications of microRNAs including the loss or gain of nucleotides relative to the canonical sequence. miTRATA is implemented in Python (version 3) and employs parallel processing modules to enhance its scalability when analyzing multiple small RNA (sRNA) sequencing datasets. It utilizes miRBase, currently version 21, as a source of known microRNAs for analysis. miTRATA notifies user(s) via email to download as well as visualize the results online. miTRATA's strengths lie in (i) its biologist-focused web interface, (ii) improved scalability via parallel processing and (iii) its uniqueness as a webtool to perform microRNA truncation and tailing analysis. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION: miTRATA is developed in Python and PHP. It is available as a web-based application from https://wasabi.dbi.udel.edu/∼apps/ta/. CONTACT: meyers@dbi.udel.edu SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.

P53 Gene as a Promising Biomarker and Potential Target for the Early Diagnosis of Reproductive Cancers.

One of the crucial aspects of cancer research is diagnosis with specificity and accuracy. Early cancer detection mostly helps make appropriate decisions regarding treatment and metastasis. The well-studied transcription factor tumor suppressor protein p53 is essential for maintaining genetic integrity. p53 is a key tumor suppressor that recognizes the carcinogenic biological pathways and eradicates them by apoptosis. A wide range of carcinomas, especially gynecological such as ovarian, cervical, and endometrial cancers, frequently undergo TP53 gene mutations. This study evaluates the potential of the p53 gene as a biological marker for the diagnosis of reproductive system neoplasms. Immunohistochemistry of p53 is rapid, easy to accomplish, cost-effective, and preferred by pathologists as a surrogate for the analysis of TP53 mutation. Thus, this review lays a groundwork for future efforts to develop techniques using p53 for the early diagnosis of cancer.

Current Perspectives of Exosomes as Therapeutic Targets and Drug Delivery Vehicles for Pancreatic Cancer.

The ever-growing interest in exosomes research is mainly due to their potential applications in health and disease, especially in therapy and diagnosis. To explore the applications of exosomes in the clinical setting, we must understand their characteristics at the molecular levels. Furthermore, exosomes are cell and function specific; therefore, we must ascertain the molecular mechanisms of their biogenesis, cellular recognition, and uptake. In the recent past, engineered exosomes and exosome mimetics have been the subject of active research. However, critical facets of the biology of engineered exosomes and exosome mimetics remain unknown. This review presents our current understanding of the potential role of engineered exosomes and exosome mimetics in diagnosis, prognosis, monitoring of treatment, as well as drug delivery. We also present recent updates on the exosome signature, its role in pancreatic cancer progression, and applications in the delivery of natural therapeutics and RNAi molecules and in the immune response. Lastly, we discuss future prospects and challenges of exosomes in translational studies.