Small RNA sequencing is a specialized technique designed to analyze and profile small RNA molecules present in a biological sample. It is widely used to study the expression profiles of miRNAs and other small RNAs, providing valuable insights into their roles in gene regulation, development, and disease. Small RNAs are polymeric ribonucleic acid molecules with a length lower than 200 nucleotides, comprising microRNA (miRNA), PIWI-interacting RNA (piRNA), small interfering RNA (siRNA), and tRNA-derived small RNA (tsRNA).
miRNAs are the most studied type of small RNAs, constituted by 20 to 25 nucleotides. They participate in several processes and can regulate gene expression at a posttranscriptional level. miRNAs can also act as transcription factors by binding the seed sequence within 3’UTR of target genes, leading to a variety of cell activities at different levels.