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Biomedical subjects

Perry Miller

Publications and source records attributed to Perry Miller.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

The transcriptional activity of human Chromosome 22.

A DNA microarray representing nearly all of the unique sequences of human Chromosome 22 was constructed and used to measure global-transcriptional activity in placental poly(A)(+) RNA. We found that many of the known, related and predicted genes are expressed. More importantly, our study reveals twice as many transcribed bases as have been reported previously. Many of the newly discovered expressed fragments were verified by RNA blot analysis and a novel technique called differential hybridization mapping (DHM). Interestingly, a significant fraction of these novel fragments are expressed antisense to previously annotated introns. The coding potential of these novel expressed regions is supported by their sequence conservation in the mouse genome. This study has greatly increased our understanding of the biological information encoded on a human chromosome. To facilitate the dissemination of these results to the scientific community, we have developed a comprehensive Web resource to present the findings of this study and other features of human Chromosome 22 at http://array.mbb.yale.edu/chr22.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Subcellular localization of the yeast proteome.

Protein localization data are a valuable information resource helpful in elucidating eukaryotic protein function. Here, we report the first proteome-scale analysis of protein localization within any eukaryote. Using directed topoisomerase I-mediated cloning strategies and genome-wide transposon mutagenesis, we have epitope-tagged 60% of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae proteome. By high-throughput immunolocalization of tagged gene products, we have determined the subcellular localization of 2744 yeast proteins. Extrapolating these data through a computational algorithm employing Bayesian formalism, we define the yeast localizome (the subcellular distribution of all 6100 yeast proteins). We estimate the yeast proteome to encompass approximately 5100 soluble proteins and >1000 transmembrane proteins. Our results indicate that 47% of yeast proteins are cytoplasmic, 13% mitochondrial, 13% exocytic (including proteins of the endoplasmic reticulum and secretory vesicles), and 27% nuclear/nucleolar. A subset of nuclear proteins was further analyzed by immunolocalization using surface-spread preparations of meiotic chromosomes. Of these proteins, 38% were found associated with chromosomal DNA. As determined from phenotypic analyses of nuclear proteins, 34% are essential for spore viability--a percentage nearly twice as great as that observed for the proteome as a whole. In total, this study presents experimentally derived localization data for 955 proteins of previously unknown function: nearly half of all functionally uncharacterized proteins in yeast. To facilitate access to these data, we provide a searchable database featuring 2900 fluorescent micrographs at http://ygac.med.yale.edu.

Algorithms↗

Olfactory Receptor Database: a metadata-driven automated population from sources of gene and protein sequences.

The Olfactory Receptor Database (ORDB; http://senselab.med.yale.edu/senselab/ordb) is a central repository of olfactory receptor (OR) and olfactory receptor-like gene and protein sequences. To deal with the very large OR gene family, we have constructed an algorithm that automatically downloads sequences from web sources such as GenBank and SWISS-PROT into the database. The algorithm uses hypertext markup language (HTML) parsing techniques that extract information relevant to ORDB. The information is then correlated with the metadata in the ORDB knowledge base to encode the unstructured text extracted into the structured format compliant with the database architecture, entity attribute value with classes and relationship (EAV/CR), which supports the SenseLab project as a whole. Three population methods: batch, automatic and semi-automatic population are discussed. The data is imported into the database using extensible markup language (XML).

Algorithms↗

The TRIPLES database: a community resource for yeast molecular biology.

TRIPLES is a web-accessible database of TRansposon-Insertion Phenotypes, Localization and Expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae-a relational database housing nearly half a million data points generated from an ongoing study using large-scale transposon mutagenesis to characterize gene function in yeast. At present, TRIPLES contains three principal data sets (i.e. phenotypic data, protein localization data and expression data) for over 3500 annotated yeast genes as well as several hundred non-annotated open reading frames. In addition, the TRIPLES web site provides online order forms linked to each data set so that users may request any strain or reagent generated from this project free of charge. In response to user requests, the TRIPLES web site has undergone several recent modifications. Our localization data have been supplemented with approximately 500 fluorescent micrographs depicting actual staining patterns observed upon indirect immunofluorescence analysis of indicated epitope-tagged proteins. These localization data, as well as all other data sets within TRIPLES, are now available in full as tab-delimited text. To accommodate increased reagent requests, all orders are now cataloged in a separate database, and users are notified immediately of order receipt and shipment. Also, TRIPLES is one of five sites incorporated into the new functional analysis tool Function Junction provided by the Saccharomyces Genome Database. TRIPLES may be accessed from the Yale Genome Analysis Center (YGAC) homepage at http://ygac.med.yale.edu.

Computer Graphics↗

An integrated approach for finding overlooked genes in yeast.

We report here the discovery of 137 previously unappreciated genes in yeast through a widely applicable and highly scalable approach integrating methods of gene-trapping, microarray-based expression analysis, and genome-wide homology searching. Our approach is a multistep process in which expressed sequences are first trapped using a modified transposon that produces protein fusions to beta-galactosidase (beta-gal); non-annotated open reading frames (ORFs) translated as beta-gal chimeras are selected as a candidate pool of potential genes. To verify expression of these sequences, labeled RNA is hybridized against a microarray of oligonucleotides designed to detect gene transcripts in a strand-specific manner. In complement to this experimental method, novel genes are also identified in silico by homology to previously annotated proteins. As these methods are capable of identifying both short ORFs and antisense ORFs, our approach provides an effective supplement to current gene-finding schemes. In total, the genes discovered using this approach constitute 2% of the yeast genome and represent a wealth of overlooked biology.

Chromosomes↗

YMD: a microarray database for large-scale gene expression analysis.

The use of microarray technology to perform parallel analysis of the expression pattern of a large number of genes in a single experiment has created a new frontier of medical research. The vast amount of gene expression data generated from multiple microarray experiments requires a robust database system that allows efficient data storage, retrieval, secure access, data dissemination, and integrated data analyses. To address the growing needs of microarray researchers at Yale and their collaborators, we have built the Yale Microarray Database (YMD). YMD is Web-accessible with the following features: (i) a Web program that tracks DNA samples between source plates and arrays, (ii) the capability of finding common genes/clones across different array platforms, (iii) an image file server, (iv) laboratory-based user management and access privileges, (v) project management, (vi) template data entry, (vii) linking gene expression data to annotation databases for functional analysis. YMD is currently being used on a pilot basis by several laboratories for different organisms and array platforms.

Databases, Nucleic Acid↗

A dynamic approach to mapping coordinates between microplates and microarrays.

The retrieval of useful data from spotted microarray slides requires keeping track of which microplate wells and DNA sample corresponds to each spot on each array slide. Existing approaches are closely coupled with the type of arrayer in use and are computer operating-system-specific. To support the microarray researcher community at large who use different arrayers and computer platforms, increased flexibility, generality, and portability of these approaches are required. In this paper, we describe a general algorithm that correlates the well positions of DNA samples in each microplate to the positions of the spots on each array slide. Based on this algorithm, we have implemented a flexible and platform-independent program named MicroArray Convolutor (MAC) that provides a Web solution allowing the user to: (a) import a text file that identifies the DNA samples and their well locations, (b) select a transformation method that converts data in 96-well plate format into 384-well plate format, and (c) specify the output format of the array lists dependant on the configuration of the array platform as well as the downstream analysis software chosen for the array. MAC and its source code can be accessed via the following Web address: http://ymd.med.yale.edu/kei-cgi/kc_mac_dev8.pl.

Algorithms↗