A survey of computational methods in transcriptome-wide alternative splicing analysis

Biomol Concepts. 2015 Mar;6(1):59-66. doi: 10.1515/bmc-2014-0040.

Abstract

Alternative splicing is widely recognized for its roles in regulating genes and creating gene diversity. Consequently the identification and quantification of differentially spliced transcripts is pivotal for transcriptome analysis. Here, we review the currently available computational approaches for the analysis of RNA-sequencing data with a focus on exon-skipping events of alternative splicing and discuss the novelties as well as challenges faced to perform differential splicing analyses. In accordance with operational needs we have classified the software tools, which may be instrumental for a specific analysis based on the experimental objectives and expected outcomes. In addition, we also propose a framework for future directions by pinpointing more extensive experimental validation to assess the accuracy of the software predictions and improvements that would facilitate visualizations, data processing, and downstream analyses along with their associated software implementations.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Computational Biology*
  • Epigenesis, Genetic
  • Gene Expression Profiling / methods
  • Histone Code
  • RNA Splicing*
  • Sequence Analysis, RNA
  • Surveys and Questionnaires