IRESbase

IRESbase provides a curated database of experimentally validated internal ribosome entry sites (IRESs) to support study of cap-independent translation and mapping of IRESs in circRNAs and lncRNAs.

Key Features:

• Experimentally validated minimal IRES sequences: Compiles functional minimal IRES sequences extracted from extensive literature reviews with experimental evidence.
• Database composition: Contains 1,328 IRESs, comprising 774 eukaryotic and 554 viral IRESs derived from 11 eukaryotic organisms and 198 viruses.
• Sequence length annotation: Focus on minimal elements yields a median IRES length of approximately 174 nucleotides.
• Mapping to human RNAs: Maps IRES sequences onto human circRNAs and lncRNAs, identifying 2,191 circRNAs and 168 lncRNAs that contain at least one entire or partial IRES sequence.

Scientific Applications:

• Mechanistic studies of translation: Investigation of cap-independent ribosome recruitment and internal initiation mechanisms mediated by IRESs.
• Circular RNA translation: Assessment of translation potential of circRNAs that lack a 5′ cap through presence of IRES elements.
• Comparative analysis across taxa: Comparative studies of eukaryotic and viral IRES elements across the included species and viruses.
• Translational regulation and RNA biology: Exploration of regulatory networks and functional roles of IRESs in RNA-based gene expression control.

Methodology:

IRES sequences were compiled from extensive literature reviews and sequence-level mapped onto human circRNAs and lncRNAs.