Scalable single-cell total RNA sequencing unifies coding and noncoding transcriptomics

Nat Biotechnol. 2026 Mar 31. doi: 10.1038/s41587-026-03068-6. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Current single-cell RNA atlases largely capture polyadenylated transcripts while missing critical regulatory layers from noncoding RNA. To address this, we develop a generalizable framework that adapts total RNA profiling for use in standard droplet-based platforms and captures a broad complement of coding and noncoding RNAs using a unified pipeline. Applying this approach to the developing human brain, we generate a dataset mapping diverse RNA biotypes across all neuronal and non-neuronal lineages, revealing biotype-specific expression programs with cell-type and temporal specificity. Tracking microRNA dynamics in Cajal-Retzius neurons, transient and early-born neurons in the cortex, we show the enrichment and target anticorrelation of MIR137, associated with schizophrenia and intellectual disability, suggesting tight regulatory control. We apply TotalX to human peripheral blood mononuclear cells and identify transcriptional modules combining coding and noncoding RNAs and tRNA dynamics. In addition, we analyze dengue-infected hepatocytes and capture non-adenylated viral transcripts that distinguish infection states. This expanded coverage helps with understanding cellular identity and gene regulation at the atlas scale.

PMID:41917462 | DOI:10.1038/s41587-026-03068-6