Concatenation cDNA sequencing for transcriptome analysis

We describe a high-throughput cDNA sequencing pipeline (http://www.hgsc.bcm.tmc.edu/projects/cdna) built in response to the emerging need for rapid sequencing of large cDNA collections. Using this strategy cDNA inserts are purified and joined through concatenation into large molecules. These 'pseudo-BACs' are subjected to random shotgun sequencing whereby the majority of cDNA inserts in the pool are sequenced. Using this concatenation cDNA sequencing platform, we have contributed more than 13000 full-length cDNA sequences from human and mouse to the Mammalian Gene Collection (MGC).     

FunSys: Software for functional analysis of prokaryotic transcriptome and proteome

The vast amount of data produced by next-generation sequencing (NGS) has necessitated the development of computational tools to assist in understanding the myriad functions performed by the biological macromolecules involved in heredity. In this work, we developed the FunSys programme, a stand-alone tool with an user friendly interface that enables us to evaluate and correlate differential expression patterns from RNA sequencing and proteomics datasets. The FunSys generates charts and reports based on the results of the analysis of differential expression to aid the interpretation of the results. AVAILABILITY: The database is available for free at https://sourceforge.net/projects/funsysufpa/     

A human cDNA library for high-throughput protein expression screening

We have constructed a human fetal brain cDNA library in an Escherichia coli expression vector for high-throughput screening of recombinant human proteins. Using robot technology, the library was arrayed in microtiter plates and gridded onto high-density filter membranes. Putative expression clones were detected on the filters using an antibody against the N-terminal sequence RGS-His(6) of fusion proteins. Positive clones were rearrayed into a new sublibrary, and 96 randomly chosen clones were analyzed. Expression products were analyzed by SDS-PAGE, affinity purification, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry, and the determined protein masses were compared to masses predicted from DNA sequencing data. It was found that 66% of these clones contained inserts in a correct reading frame. Sixty-four percent of the correct reading frame clones comprised the complete coding sequence of a human protein. High-throughput microtiter plate methods were developed for protein expression, extraction, purification, and mass spectrometric analyses. An enzyme assay for glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase activity in native extracts was adapted to the microtiter plate format. Our data indicate that high-throughput screening of an arrayed protein expression library is an economical way of generating large numbers of clones producing recombinant human proteins for structural and functional analyses.     

An efficient strategy for large-scale high-throughput transposon-mediated sequencing of cDNA clones

We describe an efficient high-throughput method for accurate DNA sequencing of entire cDNA clones. Developed as part of our involvement in the Mammalian Gene Collection full-length cDNA sequencing initiative, the method has been used and refined in our laboratory since September 2000. Amenable to large scale projects, we have used the method to generate >7 Mb of accurate sequence from 3695 candidate full-length cDNAs. Sequencing is accomplished through the insertion of Mu transposon into cDNAs, followed by sequencing reactions primed with Mu-specific sequencing primers. Transposon insertion reactions are not performed with individual cDNAs but rather on pools of up to 96 clones. This pooling strategy reduces the number of transposon insertion sequencing libraries that would otherwise be required, reducing the costs and enhancing the efficiency of the transposon library construction procedure. Sequences generated using transposon-specific sequencing primers are assembled to yield the full-length cDNA sequence, with sequence editing and other sequence finishing activities performed as required to resolve sequence ambiguities. Although analysis of the many thousands (22 785) of sequenced Mu transposon insertion events revealed a weak sequence preference for Mu insertion, we observed insertion of the Mu transposon into 1015 of the possible 1024 5mer candidate insertion sites.     

cDNA芯片阳性对照的制备及在芯片敏感性分析中的应用

cDNA芯片是一种高通量基因表达谱分析技术,在生理病理条件下细胞基因表达谱分析,新基因发现和功能研究等方面具有广阔应用前景。CDNA芯片阳性对照的选取以及CDNA芯片检测敏感性是芯片成功应用的关键问题之一。以在系统发育上与人类基因同源性小的荧火虫荧光素酶基因材料,制备了用于人类和其他动物基因表达谱CDNA芯片的通用型阳性对照探针和相应的mRNA参照物,经反转录对mRNA参照物进行Cy3荧光标记并与DNA芯片杂交后发现,mRNA参照物能特异性地与荧光酶基因cDNA片断杂交,而与人β-肌动蛋白基因,人G3PDH基因以及λDNA/HINDⅢ无杂交反应。把mRNA参照物以不同比例加入HepG2总RNA中,以反转录荧光标记后与CDNA芯片杂交,结果发现当总RNA中的MRNA含量为1/10^4稀释（即mRNA分子个数约为10^8个）时,CDNA芯片基本检测不出mRNA标记产物的杂交信号。而且,cDNA芯片检测的信号强度与芯片上固定的探针浓度密切相关,当探针浓度为2g/L时,杂交信号最强,随着探针浓度下降芯片的杂交信号趋于减弱。CDNA芯片通用型阳性参照物的制备以及应用于CDNA芯片检测敏感性研究为CDNA芯片应用于人和其他动物基因表达谱高通量分析和新基因功能研究提供了技术基础和理论依据。     

Improved picoliter-sized micro-reactors for high-throughput biological analysis

High-throughput pyrosequencing, carried out in millions of picoliter-sized reactors on a fiber-optic slide, is known for its longer read length. However, both optical crosstalk (which reduces the signal-to-noise ratio of CCD images) and chemical retention adversely affect the accuracy of chemiluminescence determination, and ultimately decrease the read length and the accuracy of pyrosequencing results. In this study, both titanium and oxidized aluminum films were deposited on the side walls and upper faces of micro-reactor slides to enhance optical isolation; the films reduced the inter-well crosstalk by one order of magnitude. Subsequently, chemical retention was shown to be caused by the lower diffusion coefficient of the side walls of the picoliter-sized reactors because of surface roughness and random pores. Optically isolated fiber-optic slides over-coated with silicon oxide showed smoother surface morphology, resulting in little chemical retention; this was further confirmed with theoretical calculations. Picoliter-sized micro-reactors coated with titanium-silicon oxide films showed the least inter-well optical crosstalk and chemical retention; these properties are expected to greatly improve the high-throughput pyrosequencing performance.     

Array-based ELISAs for high-throughput analysis of human cytokines

In this report, we describe the development of a mini-array system suitable for high-throughput quantification of proteins. This mini-array is a multiplexed, sandwich-type ELISA that measures the concentration of seven different human cytokines--TNF-alpha, IFN alpha, IFN gamma, IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-6, and IL-10--from a single sample in each well of a 96-well plate. The mini-array is produced by spotting monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) in a 3 x 3 pattern in the bottom of the wells of 96-well polystyrene plates. Cytokines that are captured by the arrayed mAbs are detected by using biotinylated mAbs, followed by the addition of a streptavidin-horseradish peroxidase (HRP) conjugate and a chemiluminescent substrate. The light produced from the HRP-catalyzed oxidation of the substrate is measured at each spot in the array by imaging the entire plate with a commercially available CCD camera. Here, we demonstrate that these 96-well-plate format mini-arrays have performance characteristics that make them suitable for the high-throughput screening of anti-inflammatory compounds.     

Sequence of a cDNA for mouse thymidylate synthase reveals striking similarity with the prokaryotic enzyme

We report the nucleotide sequence of a cloned cDNA, pMTS-3, that contains a 1-kb insert corresponding to mouse thymidylate synthase (E.C. 2.1.1.45). The open reading frame of 921 nucleotides from the first AUG to the termination codon specifies a protein with a molecular mass of 34,962 daltons. The predicted amino acid sequence is 90% identical with that of the human enzyme. The mouse sequence also has an extremely high degree of similarity (as much as 55% identity) with prokaryotic thymidylate synthase sequences, indicating that thymidylate synthase is among the most highly conserved proteins studied to date. The similarity is especially pronounced (as much as 80% identity) in the 44-amino-acid region encompassing the binding site for deoxyuridylic acid. The cDNA sequence also suggests that mouse thymidylate synthase mRNA lacks a 3' untranslated region, since the termination codon, UAA, is followed immediately by a poly(A) segment.      

苜蓿夜蛾丝氨酸蛋白酶基因cDNA序列的克隆与原核表达研究

【目的】丝氨酸蛋白酶(Serine protease,SP)是以丝氨酸为活性中心的重要的蛋白水解酶。在昆虫中,丝氨酸蛋白酶参与消化、发育、先天免疫反应和组织重建等重要的生理过程。本试验以苜蓿夜蛾Heliothis viriplaca为材料,克隆其丝氨酸蛋白酶基因的cDNA序列,再对该基因进行原核表达并对表达产物进行活性测定研究。【方法】从苜蓿夜蛾中肠中提取总RNA,通过RT-PCR和RACE技术,扩增获得丝氨酸蛋白酶基因cDNA全长序列,用大肠杆菌E.coli表达系统进行表达;再对表达的重组蛋白进行变性、纯化与复性,并以BTEE为底物进行活性测定。【结果】克隆得到的苜蓿夜蛾中肠丝氨酸蛋白酶基因命名为Hv SP,该基因已登录Gen Bank,登录号为KT907053。该基因全长1 017 bp,开放阅读框为886 bp,编码295个氨基酸,分子量约为30.8 ku,等电点为8.27,推导的氨基酸序列与其他昆虫丝氨酸蛋白酶氨基酸序列相似性在46%~92%之间。在Tris-HCl缓冲液中,p H为8.5时,复性的重组蛋白活性最高,为28.7 U/m L。荧光定量PCR结果表明,Hv SP基因的m RNA在苜蓿夜蛾的多个组织中特异性表达,且在中肠中表达量最高,但在唾腺中未检测到Hv SP的m RNA表达。【结论】该研究克隆了一个新的苜蓿夜蛾丝氨酸蛋白酶基因的cDNA序列,且原核表达后的重组蛋白经过变性、纯化及复性后具有活性,为进一步探索丝氨酸蛋白酶在昆虫体内的生理生化功能奠定了基础。