A quantitative map of human primary microRNA processing sites

Maturation of canonical microRNA (miRNA) is initiated by DROSHA that cleaves the primary transcript (primiRNA). More than 1,800 miRNA loci are annotated in humans, but it remains largely unknown whether and at which sites pri-miRNAs are cleaved by DROSHA. Here, we performed in vitro processing on a full set of human pri-miRNAs (miRBase version 21) followed by sequencing. This comprehensive profiling enabled us to classify miRNAs on the basis of DROSHA dependence and map their cleavage sites with respective processing efficiency measures. Only 758 pri-miRNAs are confidently processed by DROSHA, while the majority may be non-canonical or false entries. Analyses of the DROSHA-dependent pri-miRNAs show key cis-elements for processing. We observe widespread alternative processing and unproductive cleavage events such as nick or inverse processing. SRSF3 is a broad-acting auxiliary factor modulating alternative processing and suppressing unproductive processing. The profiling data and methods developed in this study will allow systematic analyses of miRNA regulation.

Automated summary

Only 758 pri-miRNAs are confidently processed by DROSHA, while the majority may be non-canonical or false entries. Analyses of the DROSHA-dependent pri-miRNAs show key cis-elements for processing, and widespread alternative processing and unproductive cleavage events were observed.