DEBKS

DEBKS identifies differentially expressed back-splicing (BS) events between two groups of rRNA-depleted RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) samples to detect circRNAs derived from host genes.

Key Features:

• Integration with circRNA detection software: Merges circRNA junction information from the output files of existing circRNA detection software.
• Annotation module ('anno'): Annotates circRNAs based on their genomic positions.
• Linear junction calculation ('count'): Calculates linear junction counts based on circRNA positions to distinguish back-splicing from linear splicing of host genes.
• Differential expression analysis ('dec'): Identifies differentially expressed circRNAs by applying the rMATS statistical model to differential back-splicing events.
• Back-splicing focus: Specifically addresses circRNA formation via back-splicing rather than relying solely on linear junction counts.
• Validation: Performance validated using real and simulated RNA-seq datasets and RT-qPCR.

Scientific Applications:

• CircRNA discovery and characterization: Detection and characterization of functionally relevant circRNAs derived from host genes.
• Disease-related circRNA analysis: Identification of circRNAs implicated in disease pathogenesis via differential back-splicing analysis.
• Comparative RNA-seq studies: Detection of differential BS events between two groups of rRNA-depleted RNA-seq samples.

Methodology:

Merges circRNA junctions from circRNA detection outputs; annotates circRNAs by genomic position with the 'anno' module; computes linear junction counts from circRNA positions with the 'count' module; and performs differential BS analysis between two groups of rRNA-depleted RNA-seq samples using the rMATS statistical model in the 'dec' module.