Construction of cDNA library and preliminary analysis of expressed sequence tags from Siberian tiger

In this study we successfully constructed a full-length cDNA library from Siberian tiger, Panthera tigris altaica, the most well-known wild Animal. Total RNA was extracted from cultured Siberian tiger fibroblasts in vitro. The titers of primary and amplified libraries were 1.30×10(6) pfu/ml and 1.62×10(9) pfu/ml respectively. The proportion of recombinants from unamplified library was 90.5% and average length of exogenous inserts was 1.13 kb. A total of 282 individual ESTs with sizes ranging from 328 to 1,142 bps were then analyzed the BLASTX score revealed that 53.9% of the sequences were classified as strong match, 38.6% as nominal and 7.4% as weak match. 28.0% of them were found to be related to enzyme/catalytic protein, 20.9% ESTs to metabolism, 13.1% ESTs to transport, 12.1% ESTs to signal transducer/cell communication, 9.9% ESTs to structure protein, 3.9% ESTs to immunity protein/defense metabolism, 3.2% ESTs to cell cycle, and 8.9 ESTs classified as novel genes. These results demonstrated that the reliability and representativeness of the cDNA library attained to the requirements of a standard cDNA library. This library provided a useful platform for the functional genomic research of Siberian tigers.     

The Dictyostelium developmental cDNA project: generation and analysis of expressed sequence tags from the first-finger stage of development.

In an effort to identify and characterize genes expressed during multicellular development ill Dictyostelium, we have undertaken a cDNA sequencing project. Using size-fractionated subsets of cDNA from the first finger stage, two sets of gridded libraries were constructed for cDNA sequencing. One, library S, consisting of 9984 clones, carries relatively short inserts, and the other, library L, which consists of 8448 clones, has longer inserts. We sequenced all the selected clones in library S from their 3'-ends, and this generated 3093 non-redundant, expressed sequence tags (ESTs). Among them, 246 ESTs hit known Dictyostelium genes and 910 showed significant similarity to genes of Dictyostelium and other organisms. For library L, 1132 clones were randomly sequenced and 471 non-redundant ESTs were obtained. In combination, the ESTs from the two libraries represent approximately 40% of genes expressed in late development, assuming that the non-redundant ESTs correspond to independent genes. They will provide a useful resource for investigating the genetic networks that regulate multicellular development of this organism.     

Sequence evaluation of four specific cDNA libraries for developmental genomics of sunflower

Four different cDNA libraries were constructed from sunflower protoplasts growing under embryogenic and non-embryogenic conditions: one standard library from each condition and two subtractive libraries in opposite sense. A total of 22,876 cDNA clones were obtained and 4800 ESTs were sequenced, giving rise to 2479 high quality ESTs representing an unigene set of 1502 sequences. This set was compared with ESTs represented in public databases using the programs BLASTN and BLASTX, and its members were classified according to putative function using the catalog in the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG). Some 33% of sequences failed to align with existing plant ESTs and therefore represent putative novel genes. The libraries show a low level of redundancy and, on average, 50% of the present ESTs have not been previously reported for sunflower. Several potentially interesting genes were identified, based on their homology with genes involved in animal zygotic division or plant embryogenesis. We also identified two ESTs that show significantly different levels of expression under embryogenic and non-embryogenic conditions. The libraries described here represent an original and valuable resource for the discovery of yet unknown genes putatively involved in dicot embryogenesis and improving our knowledge of the mechanisms involved in polarity acquisition by plant embryos.Communicated by R. Hagemann     

DNA sequence-based "bar codes" for tracking the origins of expressed sequence tags from a maize cDNA library constructed using multiple mRNA sources

To enhance gene discovery, expressed sequence tag (EST) projects often make use of cDNA libraries produced using diverse mixtures of mRNAs. As such, expression data are lost because the origins of the resulting ESTs cannot be determined. Alternatively, multiple libraries can be prepared, each from a more restricted source of mRNAs. Although this approach allows the origins of ESTs to be determined, it requires the production of multiple libraries. A hybrid approach is reported here. A cDNA library was prepared using 21 different pools of maize (Zea mays) mRNAs. DNA sequence "bar codes" were added during first-strand cDNA synthesis to uniquely identify the mRNA source pool from which individual cDNAs were derived. Using a decoding algorithm that included error correction, it was possible to identify the source mRNA pool of more than 97% of the ESTs. The frequency at which a bar code is represented in an EST contig should be proportional to the abundance of the corresponding mRNA in the source pool. Consistent with this, all ESTs derived from several genes (zein and adh1) that are known to be exclusively expressed in kernels or preferentially expressed under anaerobic conditions, respectively, were exclusively tagged with bar codes associated with mRNA pools prepared from kernel and anaerobically treated seedlings, respectively. Hence, by allowing for the retention of expression data, the bar coding of cDNA libraries can enhance the value of EST projects.     

Characterization of a Human Fovea cDNA Library and Regional Differential Gene Expression in the Human Retina

The primate fovea is the region of the retina responsible for acute vision. This region constitutes less than 5% of the total area of the retina and has not been intensely studied at the molecular level. As a first step in the molecular characterization of the fovea, we have constructed a primary human fovea cDNA library. Experiments confirm that our cDNA library reflects a nonbiased distribution of foveal expressed sequences. Single-pass sequencing was performed on 209 randomly isolated clones from this library. Analysis of the sequences generated reveals that the distributions of fovea clones with either human mitochondrial gene sequences or repetitive elements are different than those observed in cDNA libraries made from other tissues. A significant number of the fovea expressed sequence tags (ESTs) (88, 42.1%) represent novel human ESTs. This suggests that the library will be useful in identifying new human genes. Northern analysis of specific fovea ESTs defined in this study suggests that there are significant quantitative differences in gene expression that distinguish the fovea from the rest of the retina.     

Using mtDNA Sequences to Estimate SNP Parameters in ESTs

Discovery of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) requires analysis of redundant sequences such as those available in large public databases. The ability to detect SNPs, especially those of low frequency, is dependent on the depth and scale of the discovery effort. Large numbers of SNPs have been identified by mining large-scale EST surveys and whole genome sequencing projects. These surveys however are subject to ascertainment bias and the inherent errors in large-scale single pass sequencing efforts. For example, the number of steps involved in the construction and sequencing of cDNA libraries make ESTs highly error prone, resulting in an increased frequency of nonvalid SNPs obtained in these surveys. Sequences of mtDNA genes are often incorporated into cDNA libraries as an artifact of the library construction process and are typically either subtracted from cDNA libraries or are considered superfluous when evaluating the information content of EST datasets. Sequences of mtDNA genes provide a unique resource for the analysis of SNP parameters in EST projects. This study uses sequences from four turkey muscle cDNA libraries to demonstrate how mtDNA sequences gleaned from collections of ESTs can be used to estimate SNP parameters and thus help predict the validity of SNPs.     

Using mtDNA sequences to estimate SNP parameters in ESTs

Discovery of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) requires analysis of redundant sequences such as those available in large public databases. The ability to detect SNPs, especially those of low frequency, is dependent on the depth and scale of the discovery effort. Large numbers of SNPs have been identified by mining large-scale EST surveys and whole genome sequencing projects. These surveys however are subject to ascertainment bias and the inherent errors in large-scale single pass sequencing efforts. For example, the number of steps involved in the construction and sequencing of cDNA libraries make ESTs highly error prone, resulting in an increased frequency of nonvalid SNPs obtained in these surveys. Sequences of mtDNA genes are often incorporated into cDNA libraries as an artifact of the library construction process and are typically either subtracted from cDNA libraries or are considered superfluous when evaluating the information content of EST datasets. Sequences of mtDNA genes provide a unique resource for the analysis of SNP parameters in EST projects. This study uses sequences from four turkey muscle cDNA libraries to demonstrate how mtDNA sequences gleaned from collections of ESTs can be used to estimate SNP parameters and thus help predict the validity of SNPs.     

Identification of unique transcripts from a mouse full-length, subtracted inner ear cDNA library

A small-scale full-length library construction approach was developed to facilitate production of a mouse full-length cDNA encyclopedia representing approximately 250 enriched, normalized, and/or subtracted cDNA libraries. One library produced using this approach was a subtracted adult mouse inner ear cDNA library (sIEa). The average size of the inserts was approximately 2.5 kb, with the majority ranging from 0.5 to 7.0 kb. From this library 22,574 sequence reads were obtained from 15,958 independent clones. Sequencing and chromosomal localization established 5240 clusters, with 1302 clusters being unique and 359 representing new ESTs. Our sIEa library contributed 56.1% of the 7773 nonredundant Unigene clusters associated with the four mouse inner ear libraries in the NCBI dbEST. Based on homologous chromosomal regions between human and mouse, we identified 1018 UniGene clusters associated with the deafness locus critical regions. Of these, 59 clusters were found only in our sIEa library and represented approximately 50% of the identified critical regions.     

柔嫩艾美耳球虫孢子发育阶段虫体抑制性消减文库的构建

为了分离鉴定柔嫩艾美耳球虫(Eimeria tenella)孢子发育阶段虫体的差异表达基因,分别以柔嫩艾美耳球虫未孢子化卵囊和孢子化卵囊为驱动组、子孢子为实验组,或未孢子化卵囊为驱动组、孢子化卵囊为实验组,利用抑制性消减杂交(SSH)技术,构建了2个子孢子cDNA消减文库和1个孢子化卵囊cDNA消减文库。随机从3个cDNA消减文库中分别挑取50个克隆,经PCR鉴定2个子孢子cDNA消减文库的重组率都为96%,孢子化卵囊cDNA消减文库的重组率为98%。从每个文库中随机挑取50个克隆测序,并进行同源性比较分析,结果显示:从孢子化卵囊cDNA消减文库中获得了13个单一有效序列,其中8个EST与已知蛋白同源性很高;从2个子孢子cDNA消减文库中共获得了40个单一有效序列,其中9个EST与已知蛋白同源,其余可能为柔嫩艾美耳球虫的新基因。这些结果为分离柔嫩艾美耳球虫新功能基因和进一步探索防治球虫病的方法提供了理论基础。     

小麦抗病基因表达谱中的文库构建与筛选方法研究

以抗白粉病品系“百农 32 17×Mardler”BC5F4为材料 ,构建了白粉病菌诱导的普通cDNA文库和抑制消减杂交(SSH)cDNA文库。分别对两文库进行了一定规模的测序 ,获得普通cDNA文库不重复ESTs 387条和SSHcDNA文库ESTs 76 0条。将获得的ESTs与GenBank序列进行了BLASTn、BLASTx同源性分析。结果表明 :在普通文库中 ,一些参与光合作用与核糖体构成等的基因出现频率较高 ,而获得的抗病相关基因则较少。消减文库在构建方法、抗病相关基因的富集等方面具有明显的优越性 ,是目前抗病基因表达谱研究中的较好方法。利用高密度点阵膜杂交技术对两文库的筛选结果表明 ,该方法具有相对简便易操作、杂交膜可反复使用等优点 ;但也存在mRNA及同位素用量大等问题。经筛选 ,消减文库中有 5 4 1%的功能已知ESTs为抗病相关基因 ,被证明参与了小麦抗白粉病反应     

Expressed sequence tags from persimmon at different developmental stages

Persimmon (Diospyros kaki Thunb.) is an important fruit in Asian countries, where it is eaten as a fresh fruit and is also used for many other purposes. To understand the molecular mechanism of fruit development and ripening in persimmon, we generated a total of 9,952 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) from randomly selected clones of two different cDNA libraries. One cDNA library was derived from fruit of “Saijo” persimmon at an early stage of development, and the other from ripening fruit. These ESTs were clustered into 6,700 non-redundant sequences. Of the 6,700 non-redundant sequences evaluated, the deduced amino acid sequences of 4,356 (65%) showed significant homology to known proteins, and 2,344 (35%) showed no significant similarity to any known proteins in Arabidopsis databases. We report comparison of genes identified in the two cDNA libraries and describe some putative genes involved in proanthocyanidin and carotenoid synthesis. This study provides the first global overview of a set of genes that are expressed during fruit development and ripening in persimmon.     

Expressed sequence tags and chromosomal localization of cDNA clones from a subtracted retinal pigment epithelium library.

Expressed sequence tags (ESTs) provide useful molecular landmarks for physical mapping and identify the position of an expressed region in the genome. The use of subtracted cDNA libraries enriched for tissue-specific genes as a source of ESTs should reduce the repetitive isolation of constitutively expressed sequences. We report here the sequence tags from the 3'-end region of 58 new directionally cloned cDNAs from a subtracted human retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cell line library. Eight of the cDNAs have been assigned to human chromosomes using PCR-based EST assays. Chromosomal mapping of subtracted RPE cDNA clones may also help in identifying candidate genes for inherited eye diseases.     

cDNA(EST)文库的高通量生物信息学分析体系的构建与应用

应用生物信息学方法,构建了一套针对cDNA或EST文库的高通量、自动化分析体系,CLASP(cDNA Library Analysis SystemPrimary)。CLASP基于Linux操作系统,主要由Perl程序构成。它以cDNA文库(ESTs)序列为分析对象,具有自动查找序列同源基因并进行染色体定位(包括细胞遗传学定位和SIS定位)、EST自动延伸等功能;并对不同来源序列进行聚类分析。应用该体系对3对肺癌相关抑制性消减杂交(SSH)cDNA文库进行了分析。结果在所有3对文库的2083条EST中有1492条找到了同源基因,其中1365条得到染色体定位。对所余591条未知基因的EST进行了电子延伸,其中有214条EST得到不同程度的延伸。对上述cDNA文库中已知基因的EST以及电子延伸后的EST再分别进行聚类分析,而后综合两个聚类分析的结果,由此可发现不同文库间的共同与差异表达基因,可用于特定性状相关的基因功能预测。     

ANALYSIS OF EXPRESSED SEQUENCE TAGS FROM THE GREEN ALGA ULVA LINZA (CHLOROPHYTA)1

There is a general lack of genomic information available for chlorophyte seaweed genera such as Ulva, and in particular there is no information concerning the genes that contribute to adhesion and cell wall biosynthesis for this organism. Partial sequencing of cDNA libraries to generate expressed sequence tags (ESTs) is an effective means of gene discovery and characterization of expression patterns. In this study, a cDNA library was created from sporulating tissue of Ulva linza L. Initially, 650 ESTs were randomly selected from a cDNA library and sequenced from their 5′ ends to obtain an indication of the level of redundancy of the library (21%). The library was normalized to enrich for rarer sequences, and a further 1920 ESTs were sequenced. These sequences were subjected to contig assembly that resulted in a unigene set of approximately 1104 ESTs. Forty‐eight percent of these sequences exhibited significant similarity to sequences in the databases. Phylogenetic comparisons are made between selected sequences with similarity in the databases to proteins involved in aspects of extracellular matrix/cell wall assembly and adhesion.     

Construction of cDNA library and preliminary analysis of expressed sequence tags from green microalga <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ankistrodesmus convolutus</Emphasis> Corda

Green microalga Ankistrodesmus convolutus Corda is a fast growing alga which produces appreciable amount of carotenoids and polyunsaturated fatty acids. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the construction of cDNA library and preliminary analysis of ESTs for this species. The titers of the primary and amplified cDNA libraries were 1.1 × 10⁶ and 6.0 × 10⁹ pfu/ml respectively. The percentage of recombinants was 97% in the primary library and a total of 337 out of 415 original cDNA clones selected randomly contained inserts ranging from 600 to 1,500 bps. A total of 201 individual ESTs with sizes ranging from 390 to 1,038 bps were then analyzed and the BLASTX score revealed that 35.8% of the sequences were classified as strong match, 38.3% as nominal and 25.9% as weak match. Among the ESTs with known putative function, 21.4% of them were found to be related to gene expression, 14.4% ESTs to photosynthesis, 10.9% ESTs to metabolism, 5.5% ESTs to miscellaneous, 2.0% to stress response, and the remaining 45.8% were classified as novel genes. Analysis of ESTs described in this paper can be an effective approach to isolate and characterize new genes from A. convolutus and thus the sequences obtained represented a significant contribution to the extensive database of sequences from green microalgae.