Distribution of micropeptide-coding sORFs in transcripts

Small open reading frames (sORFs) are distributed over a wide variety of transcripts. sORFs encoding functional peptides have been identified in various configurations within apparently long noncoding RNAs. Many translated sORFs have been identified across mRNAs, including 5'-upstream, coding domain, and 3'-downstream. sORFs have also been found in circular RNAs, pri-miRNAs, and ribosomal RNAs. Here, we present an overview of the wide distribution of the sORFs in transcripts and their functional roles in organisms. (C) 2018 Chinese Chemical Society and Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.