Genome-wide identification and characterization of transfer RNA-derived small RNAs in Trichomonas vaginalis

In this study, we performed deep sequencing and bioinformatics analyses of short RNAs from three strains of Trichomonas vaginalisto identify and characterize novel type of small RNAs. We detected a new type of small RNA from tranfer RNA known as tRFs and tRNA-halves. Trichomonas vaginalis mall RNAs of 14–40 nt in length were extracted and purified from the total RNA of trophozoite staged parasites. Small RNA libraries were constructed and sequenced by Illumina NextSeq 500 system.