Review of machine learning methods for RNA secondary structure prediction.

Journal: PLoS computational biology
Published Date:

Abstract

Secondary structure plays an important role in determining the function of noncoding RNAs. Hence, identifying RNA secondary structures is of great value to research. Computational prediction is a mainstream approach for predicting RNA secondary structure. Unfortunately, even though new methods have been proposed over the past 40 years, the performance of computational prediction methods has stagnated in the last decade. Recently, with the increasing availability of RNA structure data, new methods based on machine learning (ML) technologies, especially deep learning, have alleviated the issue. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of RNA secondary structure prediction methods based on ML technologies and a tabularized summary of the most important methods in this field. The current pending challenges in the field of RNA secondary structure prediction and future trends are also discussed.

Authors

  • Qi Zhao
  • Zheng Zhao
    College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology and Bio-Pharmaceutical Key Laboratory of Heilongjiang Province, Harbin Medical University, Nangang, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China.
  • Xiaoya Fan
    Bio-, Electro- And Mechanical Systems, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Avenue F.D. Roosevelt 50 CP165/56, 1050, Brussels, Belgium. xiaoya.fan@ulb.ac.be.
  • Zhengwei Yuan
    Key Laboratory of Health Ministry for Congenital Malformation, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China.
  • Qian Mao
    Light Industry College, Liaoning University, Shenyang, 110036, Liaoning, China.
  • Yudong Yao
    Sino-Dutch Biomedical and Information Engineering School, Northeastern University, Shenyang, China.