用生物信息学方法处理基因芯片结果

基因芯片是一种能够同时检测大量基因在同一组织中表达情况的有力工具.利用前期工作筛选的2210个鼻咽癌差异表达基因和Biocarta信号通路资源库,构建了一个基于信号通路的基因相互作用网络.通过统计学分析,进一步筛选出一批对该基因相互作用网络具有重大影响的基因(特别是RAN、CEL、RELA).随后,采用RT-PCR方法检测候选基因在鼻咽癌活检组织中的表达,发现RAN和CEL基因在高达80%的鼻咽癌组织中高表达.进一步将网络分析结果和ArrayXPath软件分析的结果比较,共计有40%(32/80)基因结果吻合,这验证了网络分析方法的有效性和可行性.最终探索建立了新的分析基因芯片的方法.     

利用GenMAPP筛查鼻咽癌差异表达基因

利用GenMAPP软件对鼻咽癌和正常鼻咽上皮基因微阵列表达谱结果进行分析,筛查鼻咽癌差异表达基因. 结果显示：在17 000个基因中,与正常鼻咽上皮相比,在鼻咽癌中发生2倍以上差异表达的基因共有339个,其中有160个基因在鼻咽癌中表达上调,179个表达下调. 这些基因分别与细胞增殖、基因转录、凋亡、信号转导、DNA损伤修复、肿瘤分化和浸润转移及细胞周期调节等相关. 鼻咽癌的发生发展存在多基因表达调控的改变,对其差异表达基因的研究有助于阐明鼻咽癌发生发展机制.     

鼻咽癌差异表达基因PROL4特性分析

在正常成人鼻咽与鼻咽癌活检组织之间进行抑制性消减杂交和微阵列(microarray)杂交,获得了鼻咽癌差异表达基因PROL4的全长cDNA序列,其GenBank登录号为：AF530472.该基因包含567个核苷酸,其编码产物是由134个氨基酸组成的富含脯氨酸蛋白.采用RT-PCR证实了PROL4基因在鼻咽癌细胞株HNE1和鼻咽癌活检组织中表达下调或缺失（42/48）.12种组织RNA印迹显示：PROL4基因在人骨骼肌、胸腺和肺组织中表达,其转录本大小约为0.6 kb,与所克隆的PROL4基因的cDNA大小一致.进而通过肿瘤表达谱阵列（cancer profiling array）杂交检测了其在乳腺癌、子宫癌、结肠癌、胃癌、卵巢癌、肺癌、肾癌、直肠癌、甲状腺癌、子宫颈癌、前列腺癌、胰腺癌、小肠癌组织及其配对的正常组织的表达状况.     

一个鼻咽癌相关EST的鉴定及其全长cDNA序列分析

鼻咽癌是我国南方及东南亚地区常见的恶性肿瘤之一.通过对鼻咽癌染色体高频率杂合性丢失区域3p21的表达序列标签(expressedsequencetag,EST)进行同源性比较分析,运用逆转录聚合酶链式反应的方法,筛选到一个在41.18%(14/34)的鼻咽癌活检组织及20.0%(1/5)的鼻咽癌细胞系中表达下调的ESTBG772301;并用Northern杂交方法,检测了该EST在多种正常成人组织中的表达状况及其所代表基因的转录本大小.在此基础上,对该EST来源的cDNA克隆(IMAGE:4839190)进行直接测序,获得了一个全长为2377bp的新cDNA序列;经生物信息学分析,发现它与已知基因序列无明显同源性,属于一个新基因,定位于染色体3p21.3,被命名为鼻咽癌表达下调基因(NPCEDRG,GenBank登录号:AF538150).其编码的蛋白质含169个氨基酸,与一个已报道的在进化上相对保守、功能未知的人类蛋白Nicolin1(简称NICN1)N端170个氨基酸残基的序列同源性为97%,但缺少NICN1蛋白C端43个氨基酸残基,可能是nicolin1基因不同剪接本的编码产物.     

Gene expression profile analysis in human hepatocellular carcinoma by cDNA microarray

We performed gene expression profiling of normal and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) liver tissues using a high-density microarray that contained 3,063 human cDNA. The results of a microarray hybridization experiment from eight different HCC tissues were analyzed and classified by the Cluster program. Among these differentially-expressed genes, the galectin-3, serine/threonine kinase SGK, translation factor eIF-4A, -4B, -3, fibroblast growth factor receptor, and ribosomal protein L35A were up-regulated; the mRNAs of Nip3, decorin, and the insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 were down-regulated in HCC. The differential expression of these genes was further confirmed by an RT-PCR analysis. In addition, our data suggest that the gene expression profile of HCC varies according to the histological types.     

NKX2-3 transcriptional regulation of endothelin-1 and VEGF signaling in human intestinal microvascular endothelial cells

BACKGROUND: NKX2-3 is associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). NKX2-3 is expressed in microvascular endothelial cells and the muscularis mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract. Human intestinal microvascular endothelial cells (HIMECs) are actively involved in the pathogenesis of IBD and IBD-associated microvascular dysfunction. To understand the cellular function of NKX2-3 and its potential role underlying IBD pathogenesis, we investigated the genes regulated by NKX2-3 in HIMEC using cDNA microarray. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: NKX2-3 expression was suppressed by shRNA in two HIMEC lines and gene expression was profiled by cDNA microarray. Pathway Analysis was used to identify gene networks according to biological functions and associated pathways. Validation of microarray and genes expression in intestinal tissues was assessed by RT-PCR. NKX2-3 regulated genes are involved in immune and inflammatory response, cell proliferation and growth, metabolic process, and angiogenesis. Several inflammation and angiogenesis related signaling pathways that play important roles in IBD were regulated by NKX2-3, including endothelin-1 and VEGF-PI3K/AKT-eNOS. Expression levels of NKX2-3, VEGFA, PI3K, AKT, and eNOS are increased in intestinal tissues from IBD patients and expression levels of EDN1 are decreased in intestinal tissues from IBD patients. These results demonstrated the important roles of NKX2-3, VEGF, PI3K, AKT, eNOS, and EDN1 in IBD pathogenesis. Correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between mRNA expression of NKX2-3 and VEGFA and a negative correlation between mRNA expression of NKX2-3 and EDN1 in intestinal tissues from IBD patients. CONCLUSION/RELEVANCE: NKX2-3 may play an important role in IBD pathogenesis by regulating endothelin-1 and VEGF signaling in HIMECs.     

鼻咽癌相关基因NAP1的克隆及鉴定

从UniGene库中选取编号为BG231197,来自人鼻咽组织的EST序列.利用Blast检索GenBank的nr数据库和EST数据库,构建EST重叠群.利用人类基因组草图搜索法从成人正常鼻咽组织中PCR扩增获得该基因全长cDNA,命名为NAP1,GenBank登录号为AY190326.NAP1基因cDNA序列全长为573 bp,编码由85个氨基酸组成,相对分子质量为9 700的多肽.用α-³²P-dCTP标记NAP1基因片段,与含15种正常成人组织的多组织RNA印迹膜杂交,结果表明NAP1基因在淋巴结和气管中高表达,转录本大小约为0.6 kb,在其他组织中不表达.NAP1蛋白质与滤泡树突状细胞（follicular dendritic cell, FDC）的一种分泌肽前体（FDC -SP）（AF435080）同源,与其他已知蛋白质无明显同源性.NAP1基因定位在染色体4q13,基因组跨越9 179 bp,含5个外显子和4个内含子.采用差异RT-PCR检测了40例经病理诊断为低分化鳞状上皮癌的鼻咽活检组织及其对侧相应部位的正常鼻咽组织中该基因的表达差异.在40例鼻咽癌中,NAP1基因表达下调的有17例（42.5%）,表达上调的有6例（15%）,无明显表达差异的有17例（42.5%）.原位杂交和免疫组化结果显示该基因在正常鼻咽和鼻咽癌组织间质中的树突状细胞中表达,在其他间质细胞和鼻咽上皮中均不表达.以上结果表明,NAP1为树突状细胞的一种新的多肽,该基因在鼻咽癌组织中表达下调的原因,及其与鼻咽癌发生、发展的关系值得进一步探讨.     

NGX6基因转染对鼻咽癌细胞基因表达谱的影响

鼻咽癌是我国南方的常见肿瘤 .NGX6是新近克隆的定位于 9p2 1 2 2 ,在鼻咽癌组织中表达下调的基因 .初步的研究结果显示 ,NGX6基因转染鼻咽癌细胞HNE1能够延缓其生长速度 ,使肿瘤细胞更多地停留在G0 G1期 .为探索NGX6基因在鼻咽癌发病机制中的作用 ,建立了高表达NGX6的鼻咽癌细胞系 .利用包含 14 0 0 0个基因的cDNA微阵列分析了NGX6基因转染对HNE1细胞基因表达谱的影响 ,发现NGX6基因的转染能够上调p2 9、APC7、NEU1、RNasek6、αE catenin和TFⅡEα等基因的表达 ;同时也下调properdinP因子、G0S2、BAZ2B、ZHX1,OS4和PBX3等基因的表达 .研究结果提示 ,NGX6基因对鼻咽癌细胞的生物学行为的影响可能与它对一些细胞周期调控因子和转录调控因子的影响相关 .作为一种高通量的分析技术 ,cDNA微阵列为新基因的功能研究提供了重要的线索     

定位于染色体9p21-22的一个新基因UBAP1的克隆测序及在鼻咽癌中的表达分析

 在染色体 9p2 1 2 2鼻咽癌杂合性丢失 (lossofheterozygosity,LOH)高频区 ,应用EST介导的定位 侯选克隆策略 ,用RT PCR及Northern杂交检测了 2 2个表达序列标记 (expressedsequencetag ,EST)在鼻咽癌细胞株HNE1和原代培养的正常鼻咽上皮细胞中的表达差异 ,并对其中一个在鼻咽癌细胞株HNE1中表达下调的EST检测了在鼻咽癌活检组织中的表达 .用生物信息学方法获得其全长cDNA序列 ,GenBank登录号AF2 2 2 0 4 3.该基因cDNA全长 2 70 1bp ,其开放阅读框 (openreadingframe ,ORF)编码一个含 50 2个氨基酸、分子量为 55kD的碱性蛋白质 ,在蛋白羧基端含有 2个连续的重要UBA功能域 (ubiquitinassociateddomain) ,属于遍在蛋白相关蛋白家族的一个新成员 ,经国际人类基因命名委员会同意 ,将其命名为UBAP1 (ubiquitinassociatedprotein 1 ) .Northern表达分析显示UBAP1在所检测的人组织中广泛表达 ,但在人的心脏、骨骼肌及肝脏中的表达较强 .UBAP1基因在63 2 % ( 1 2 1 9)的鼻咽癌活检组织中表达下调 .UBAP1基因作为一个遍在蛋白相关蛋白家族的新成员 ,结合其在 9p的重要定位信息 ,有必要进一步研究其表达下调参与鼻咽癌发生发展的可能机制 .     

Pathway analysis using random forests classification and regression

MOTIVATION: Although numerous methods have been developed to better capture biological information from microarray data, commonly used single gene-based methods neglect interactions among genes and leave room for other novel approaches. For example, most classification and regression methods for microarray data are based on the whole set of genes and have not made use of pathway information. Pathway-based analysis in microarray studies may lead to more informative and relevant knowledge for biological researchers. RESULTS: In this paper, we describe a pathway-based classification and regression method using Random Forests to analyze gene expression data. The proposed methods allow researchers to rank important pathways from externally available databases, discover important genes, find pathway-based outlying cases and make full use of a continuous outcome variable in the regression setting. We also compared Random Forests with other machine learning methods using several datasets and found that Random Forests classification error rates were either the lowest or the second-lowest. By combining pathway information and novel statistical methods, this procedure represents a promising computational strategy in dissecting pathways and can provide biological insight into the study of microarray data. AVAILABILITY: Source code written in R is available from http://bioinformatics.med.yale.edu/pathway-analysis/rf.htm.     

Selection of control genes for quantitative RT-PCR based on microarray data

Use of internal reference gene(s) is necessary for adequate quantification of target gene expression by RT-PCR. Herein, we elaborated a strategy of control gene selection based on microarray data and illustrated it by analyzing endomyocardial biopsies with acute cardiac rejection and infection. Using order statistics and binomial distribution we evaluated the probability of finding low-varying genes by chance. For analysis, the microarray data were divided into two sample subsets. Among the first 10% of genes with the lowest standard deviations, we found 14 genes common to both subsets. After normalization using two selected genes, high correlation was observed between expression of target genes evaluated by microarray and RT-PCR, and in independent dataset by RT-PCR (r = 0.9, p < 0.001). In conclusion, we showed a simple and reliable strategy of selection and validation of control genes for RT-PCR from microarray data that can be easily applied for different experimental designs and tissues.     

SEMA3B基因在鼻咽癌组织中的表达、杂合性丢失和甲基化分析

SEMA3B基因定位于鼻咽癌高频缺失区域3p21.3上,最近被证明具有抑瘤基因的功能.分析了鼻咽癌组织中SEMA3B基因的表达、杂合性丢失(LOH)和甲基化情况.首先应用逆转录-聚合酶链式反应(RT-PCR)方法检测了33例鼻咽癌组织和15例慢性鼻咽炎组织中SEMA3B基因的表达,结果显示75.8%(25/33)鼻咽癌组织中SEMA3B基因表达缺失或下调,显著低于慢性鼻咽炎组织中的表达(P=0.001).进一步选取3个微卫星位点D3S1568、D3S1621和D3S4597分析了20例鼻咽癌组织中SEMA3B基因LOH的情况,结果表明3个位点的丢失率分别为10%、20%和15%,总的丢失率为45%,统计分析发现LOH与基因表达之间存在明显相关(P=0.023).最后,采用甲基化特异性PCR方法分析了SEMA3B基因启动子区甲基化,结果发现在100%的鼻咽癌组织和73.3%的慢性鼻咽炎组织中检测到SEMA3B基因启动子区高甲基化.由此得出结论,SEMA3B基因在鼻咽癌组织中表达缺失或下调,LOH是引起其表达异常的原因之一.     

Up-regulation of calcineurin Abeta mRNA in the Alzheimer's disease brain: assessment by cDNA microarray

Recent advances in cDNA microarray technology have made it possible to analyze expression of more than 8000 genes. Using this technology, gene expression in the hippocampus containing neurofibrillary tangle-associated lesions from an Alzheimer's disease (AD) patient was compared with expression in the parietal cortex from the same patient that lacked these lesions. We also compared gene expression using a control brain. The top 20 named genes significantly up-regulated or down-regulated only in the AD brain were determined. The most up-regulated gene proved to be calcineurin Abeta mRNA (CAbeta). In situ hybridization histochemistry revealed that CAbeta was significantly up-regulated in pyramidal neurons of the hippocampus in the AD brain. RT-PCR analysis revealed that CAbeta was up-regulated in the hippocampus from two out of three AD brains while there were no changes in three control brains. Our study suggests that CAbeta may play a crucial role in the pathophysiological mechanisms in AD.     

The gene expression profiling in murine cortical cells undergoing programmed cell death (PCD) induced by serum deprivation

PCD (programmed cell death) is important mechanism for development, homeostasis and disease. To analyze the gene expression pattern in brain cells undergoing PCD in response to serum deprivation, we analyzed the cDNA microarray consisting of 2,300 genes and 7 housekeeping genes of cortical cells derived from mouse embryonic brain. Cortical cells were induced apoptosis by serum deprivation for 8 hours. We identified 69 up-regulated genes and 21 down-regulated genes in apoptotic cells. Based on the cDNA microarray data four genes were selected and analyzed by RT-PCR and northern blotting. To characterize the role of UNC-51-like kinase (ULK2) gene in PCD, we investigated cell death effect by ULK2. And we examined expression of several genes that related with PCD. Especially GAPDH was increased by ULK2. Theses findings indicated that ULK2 is involved in apoptosis through p53 pathway.