Graph-based Clustering of miRNA Sequences.

Aims: The many miRNAs discovered so far have been divided into biologically representative families, aiming at organizing and systematizing their study so to promote, mainly, a better understanding of their functionalities. Clustering miRNA sequences can corroborate the family-based organizations as well as helping to explore sequences belonging to the same cluster as potentially having similar biological functions.

Observations: Considering that members of the same miRNA family tend to biologically function in similar ways, a well-structured family can help detecting miRNA functions which have not been associated yet with any existing family.