ChiTaRS

ChiTaRS catalogs chimeric RNA transcripts and associated annotations across eight species, aggregating 111,582 annotated chimeric entries (including 23,167 known human cancer breakpoints) and integrating 3D chromatin contact maps, curated druggable fusion targets, cell-line–specific chimeras, and text-mined disease-associated chimeras to support studies of genome architecture and disease mechanisms.

Key Features:

• Extensive Database: Contains 111,582 annotated chimeric transcript entries across eight species, including 23,167 known human cancer breakpoints.
• 3D Chromatin Mapping: Integrates chimeric breakpoints with three-dimensional chromatin contact maps derived from public chromosome conformation capture datasets such as Hi-C.
• Druggable Fusion Targets: Includes curated information on druggable fusion targets associated with chimeric breakpoints.
• Cell-Line Specific Data: Lists chimeric RNAs identified in various cell lines for context-specific analysis.
• Disease-Specific Chimeras: Expands the catalog via text-mining to include chimeric transcripts associated with Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, dyslexia, and other complex conditions.

Scientific Applications:

• Evolutionary Analysis: Enables study of evolutionary dynamics of chimeric transcripts across eukaryotes.
• Genome Architecture Studies: Supports analysis of genome conformational changes and their relationship to chimeric breakpoint formation using Hi-C contact maps.
• Cancer Research: Facilitates investigation of oncogenic fusions, cancer breakpoints, and their roles in etiopathogenesis.
• Disease Association Studies: Supports identification and analysis of chimeras linked to neurological and other complex diseases identified by text-mining.
• Therapeutic Target Identification: Aids identification of druggable fusion targets and genetic markers relevant for diagnosis and precision medicine.

Methodology:

Integration of public chromosome conformation capture datasets (e.g., Hi-C), text-mining of literature for disease-associated chimeras, curation of druggable fusion targets, and annotation of chimeric transcripts.