Coral Epigenetic Network Explorer
Explore predicted regulatory relationships among miRNAs, lncRNAs, mRNAs, DNA methylation, and epigenetic machinery across three reef-building coral species — the first described epi-miRNA and ceRNA networks in cnidarians.
What this study did
The study integrates matched RNA-seq, small RNA-seq, and whole-genome bisulfite sequencing across Acropora pulchra, Porites evermanni, and Pocillopora tuahiniensis to characterize DNA methylation, miRNAs, and lncRNAs and, for the first time in cnidarians, to identify predicted epi-miRNAs (miRNAs targeting epigenetic machinery) and candidate competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks (lncRNAs predicted to sequester miRNAs away from their mRNA targets).
ceRNA sponging is only one of many possible lncRNA functions, and it is the function this site focuses on. Most lncRNAs identified in these corals were not assigned to a ceRNA network — only a small fraction met the ceRNA criteria — and the biological roles of the remainder are unknown.
The regulatory layers
A simplified multilayer view. Node shapes (not colour alone) distinguish molecule types throughout the site: △ miRNA, ◇ lncRNA, ◯ mRNA, ⬡ epigenetic machinery. Red bars mark predicted repression; blue arrows mark ceRNA sequestration. The diagram depicts a candidate ceRNA role only; lncRNAs have many other potential functions not shown here, and most lncRNAs in this study were not predicted to act as ceRNAs.
Where to go next
Regulatory Story View
Walk through a single predicted chain: lncRNA sponge → miRNA → mRNA target → function, including the ptuh-mir-novel-4 → TNRC6 example.
Methylation Landscape
Global CpG methylation and gene-body-biased, invertebrate-characteristic methylomes across features.
Evidence Table
Every displayed interaction — searchable, sortable, and downloadable with its supporting statistics.