Degradome sequencing (Degradome-Seq), [1][2] also referred to as parallel analysis of RNA ends (PARE), is a modified version of 5'-Rapid Amplification of cDNA Ends (RACE) using high-throughput, deep sequencing methods such as Illumina's SBS technology. The degradome encompasses the entire set of proteases that are expressed at a specific time in a given biological material, including tissues, cells, organisms, and biofluids.[3] Thus, sequencing this degradome offers a method for studying and researching the process of RNA degradation. This process is used to identify and quantify RNA degradation products, or fragments, present in any given biological sample.[4] This approach allows for the systematic identification of targets of RNA decay and provides insight into the dynamics of transcriptional and post-transcriptional gene regulation.[4]
Degradome sequencing is a complex process which includes multiple steps such as isolating RNA fragments in a given sample as well as ligation and reverse transcription to form complementary DNA (cDNA) strands.[4] This cDNA can be sequenced, and the results are compared with a transcriptome, or reference genome, in order to determine and characterize the abundance of the RNA fragments identified in this process.[4]