Possible utilization of in vitro synthesized mRNAs specifically expressed in certain tissues as standards for quantitative evaluation of the results of microarray analysis

[A possibility to use the DNA-based probes as internal standards for Agilent Technologies microarray transcriptomic analysis]

Accuracy of the microarray technology results is raised by using the multi-stage normalization of results. One of the principal requirements of such normalization is usage of internal standards. The routine Agilent microarray-based gene expression analysis protocol utilizes a Spike-In Kit during preparation of the samples representing a mixture of RNA fragments in different ratios. RNA probes which were synthesized in vitro conditions could be also used to establish how the magnitude of the fluorescent signal reflects the presence of RNA in the sample. A significant disadvantage of this type of standards is a difficulty of their production and the low RNA stability. In accordance with the Agilent protocol, the presence of the T7 promoter is necessary for the synthesis of labeled cRNA during sample preparation procedure. We hypothesized that we can successfully synthesize any RNA sequence having such type of promoter in its start position. Moreover, DNA sequence would serve as a matrix in this case. Using a set of different genes attached downstream of the T7-promoter in the plasmid DNA we have demonstrated in this study that such system can serve as a reliable template for the fluorescent labeled RNA sequence synthesis. In comparison with the routinely used internal RNA based controls, this template is stable, easy to manufacture and can be easily obtained in large quantities.

The use of transcriptomics to unveil the role of nutrients in Mammalian liver

Liver is the organ primarily responding to diet, and it is crucial in determining plasma carbohydrate, protein, and lipid levels. In addition, it is mainly responsible for transformation of xenobiotics. For these reasons, it has been a target of transcriptomic analyses. In this review, we have covered the works dealing with the response of mammalian liver to different nutritional stimuli such as fasting/feeding, caloric restriction, dietary carbohydrate, cholesterol, fat, protein, bile acid, salt, vitamin, and oligoelement contents. Quality of fats or proteins has been equally addressed, and has the influence of minor dietary components. Other compounds, not purely nutritional as those represented by alcohol and food additives, have been included due to their relevance in processed food. The influence has been studied not only on mRNA but also on miRNA. The wide scope of the technology clearly reflects that any simple intervention has profound changes in many metabolic parameters and that there is a synergy in response when more compounds are included in the intervention. Standardized arrays to systematically test the same genes in all studies and analyzing data to establish patterns of response are required, particularly for RNA sequencing. Moreover, RNA is a valuable, easy-screening ally but always requires further confirmation.

Quantitative transcription dynamic analysis reveals candidate genes and key regulators for ethanol tolerance in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

BACKGROUND

Derived from our lignocellulosic conversion inhibitor-tolerant yeast, we generated an ethanol-tolerant strain Saccharomyces cerevisiae NRRL Y-50316 by enforced evolutionary adaptation. Using a newly developed robust mRNA reference and a master equation unifying gene expression data analyses, we investigated comparative quantitative transcription dynamics of 175 genes selected from previous studies for an ethanol-tolerant yeast and its closely related parental strain.

RESULTS

A highly fitted master equation was established and applied for quantitative gene expression analyses using pathway-based qRT-PCR array assays. The ethanol-tolerant Y-50316 displayed significantly enriched background of mRNA abundance for at least 35 genes without ethanol challenge compared with its parental strain Y-50049. Under the ethanol challenge, the tolerant Y-50316 responded in consistent expressions over time for numerous genes belonging to groups of heat shock proteins, trehalose metabolism, glycolysis, pentose phosphate pathway, fatty acid metabolism, amino acid biosynthesis, pleiotropic drug resistance gene family and transcription factors. The parental strain showed repressed expressions for many genes and was unable to withstand the ethanol stress and establish a viable culture and fermentation. The distinct expression dynamics between the two strains and their close association with cell growth, viability and ethanol fermentation profiles distinguished the tolerance-response from the stress-response in yeast under the ethanol challenge. At least 82 genes were identified as candidate and key genes for ethanol-tolerance and subsequent fermentation under the stress. Among which, 36 genes were newly recognized by the present study. Most of the ethanol-tolerance candidate genes were found to share protein binding motifs of transcription factors Msn4p/Msn2p, Yap1p, Hsf1p and Pdr1p/Pdr3p.

CONCLUSION

Enriched background of transcription abundance and enhanced expressions of ethanol-tolerance genes associated with heat shock proteins, trehalose-glycolysis-pentose phosphate pathways and PDR gene family are accountable for the tolerant yeast to withstand the ethanol stress, maintain active metabolisms, and complete ethanol fermentation under the ethanol stress. Transcription factor Msn4p appeared to be a key regulator of gene interactions for ethanol-tolerance in the tolerant yeast Y-50316.

Construction of plasmids suitable for in vitro synthesis of full-length mRNAs having a 3'-poly(A)+tail

In vitro synthesized mRNAs are often used as calibrants in gene expression analysis. In the case of an analytical procedure for gene expression containing a process of reverse transcription such as microarray analysis, full-length mRNAs having a 3'-poly(A)+tail are required as calibrants. However, the preparation of full-length mRNAs having a 3'-poly(A)+tail by using ordinary plasmid vectors is difficult. In this study, we established two plasmid vectors in which the nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3'-poly(A)+tail were included. By simply inserting full-length cDNAs lacking their 3'-poly(A)+tail into established plasmid vectors, full-length mRNAs having a 3'-poly(A)+tail were successfully prepared.

Importance of probe location for quantitative comparison of signal intensities among genes in microarray analysis

In our previous studies, we demonstrated that expression levels of genes determined by Agilent oligoarray system, code G4130A, could be quantitatively evaluated by spike-in of synthetic full-length mRNAs as standards [Kakuhata R, Watanabe M, Yamamoto T, Akamine R, Yamazaki N, Kataoka M, et al. Possible utilization of in vitro synthesized mRNAs specifically expressed in certain tissues as standards for quantitative evaluation of the results of microarray analysis, J Biochem Biophys Methods 2007;70:755-60]. However, in its successor version (Agilent oligo array system, code G4131F), which was established to enable gene expression analysis over a much wider dynamic range, multiple probes are often utilized for evaluation of expression levels of individual genes; and they showed markedly distinct signal intensities. This result indicates that the observed signal intensities in this new version seemed not to simply reflect the transcript levels of individual genes. To understand the factors influencing the signal intensities of probes, we characterized the properties of the probes used in this new array system and the cRNAs formed during the labeling process. Analysis of cRNAs in the reaction mixture, which were hybridized with the arrays, revealed that the cRNAs were not fully transcribed under the conditions used. For this reason, probes located at the 5' side of the message were found to give lower signals than those at the 3' end; and the observed signal intensities were dependent upon the location of probes in the mRNA. Analysis of the correlation between signal intensities and locations on mRNAs for larger numbers of probes also supported the idea that probe location is one of the major determinants of signal intensities of probes in microarray analysis.

Synchronized changes in transcript levels of genes activating cold exposure-induced thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue of experimental animals

To identify genes whose expression in brown adipose tissue (BAT) is up- or down-regulated in cold-exposed rats, we performed microarray analysis of RNA samples prepared from the BAT of cold-exposed rats and of rats kept at room temperature. Previously reported elevations of transcript levels of uncoupling protein (UCP1), type II iodothyronine deiodinase (DIO2), and type III adenylate cyclase (AC3) in the BAT of cold-exposed rats over those in that of rats maintained at room temperature were confirmed. In addition to these changes, remarkable elevations of the transcript levels of several genes that seemed to be associated with the processes of cell-cycle regulation and DNA replication were detected in the BAT of cold-exposed rats, possibly reflecting the significant proliferation of brown adipocytes in response to cold exposure. Up-regulation of the gene encoding sarcomeric mitochondrial type creatine kinase in the BAT of cold-exposed rats was also detected by microarray analysis, but subsequent Northern analysis revealed that the expression of not only the sarcomeric mitochondrial type enzyme, but also that of 2 other subtypes, i.e., cytoplasmic brain type and cytoplasmic muscle type, was elevated in the BAT of cold-exposed rats. Microarray analysis also revealed a significant expression of myoglobin in BAT and its elevation in the BAT of cold-exposed rats, and this result was supported by calibrated Northern analysis. On the contrary, several genes such as regulator of G-protein signaling 2 and IMP dehydrogenase 1 were down-regulated in the BAT of cold-exposed rats. The physiological meaning of these changes accompanying cold exposure was discussed.

Quantification of rRNA in Escherichia coli using capillary gel electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection

Over the past 10 years, sophisticated powerful techniques have been developed for the quantification of messenger RNA (mRNA) and ribosomal RNA (rRNA), enabling researchers in science, industry, and molecular medicine to explore gene expression. These techniques require the (reverse) transcription of analyte RNA, hybridization with synthetic oligonucleotides, and other additional steps that make them costly, time-consuming, and quantitatively difficult to perform. The current work demonstrates how 16S and 23S rRNA can be quantified precisely using capillary gel electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection (CGE-LIF) directly after the extraction of total RNA without requiring further reactions or calibration. CGE-LIF normally is used for the qualitative examination of RNA preparations. Its quantitative performance could be improved significantly using MS2 bacteriophage RNA as an internal standard. The entire analytical procedure was validated for linearity, repeatability, reproducibility, and recovery. This validation also included total RNA extraction from bacterial cells, an aspect examined for the first time in absolute RNA quantification. Recovery is close to 100%, and the analytical precision was increased 10-fold (CV<3%), as compared with similar approaches. The demonstrated method is simple and opens up new possibilities for the absolute quantification of not only rRNA but also individual mRNAs.