A Novel Splicing Graph Allows a Direct Comparison Between Exon-Based and Splice Junction-Based Approaches to Alternative Splicing Detection

Author Type(s)

Student

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

5-1-2025

DOI

10.1093/bib/bbaf204

Journal Title

Briefings in Bioinformatics

Keywords

alternative splicing, differential exon usage, splicing graph

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences

Abstract

There are primarily two computational approaches to alternative splicing (AS) detection using short reads: splice junction-based and exon-based approaches. Despite their shared goal of addressing the same biological problem, these approaches have not been reconciled before. We devised a novel graph structure and algorithm aimed at mapping between the exonic parts and splicing events detected by the two different methods. Through simulations, we demonstrated disparities in sensitivity and specificity between splice junction-based and exon-based methods. When applied to empirical data, there were large discrepancies in the results, suggesting that the methods are complementary. With the discrepancies localized to individual events and exonic parts, we were able to gain insights into the strengths and weaknesses inherent in each approach. Finally, we integrated the results to generate a comprehensive list of both common and unique AS events detected by both methodologies.

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