RNA structure prediction: progress and perspective

TL;DR

This paper reviews recent advances in computational RNA structure prediction, highlighting progress in algorithms, especially 3D modeling, and discusses ongoing challenges in the field.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of current RNA structure prediction models, emphasizing 3D prediction methods and introducing a promising coarse-grained model.

Findings

Advances in computational models for RNA structure prediction.

Discussion of a promising coarse-grained 3D model.

Identification of major challenges in RNA 3D modeling.

Abstract

Many recent exciting discoveries have revealed the versatility of RNAs and their importance in a variety of cellular functions which are strongly coupled to RNA structures. To understand the functions of RNAs, some structure prediction models have been developed in recent years. In this review, the progress in computational models for RNA structure prediction is introduced and the distinguishing features of many outstanding algorithms are discussed, emphasizing three dimensional (3D) structure prediction. A promising coarse-grained model for predicting RNA 3D structure, stability and salt effect is also introduced briefly. Finally, we discuss the major challenges in the RNA 3D structure modeling.