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Proteomic technologies and their application to pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is a devastating disease that represents an important health problem. It spreads rapidly at a time when patients have relatively few symptoms and consequently is often only detected at an advanced stage when treatment options are limited. Rapid developments in technology and bioinformatics have recently led to a surge in proteomics-based cancer research. Comparative analysis of protein profiles from nonmalignant and malignant pancreas cells or tissue, or from different stages of pancreatic cancer, potentially offer unique insight into the biology of this tumor type. Furthermore, proteomic approaches may provide novel diagnostic or therapeutic markers for this disease. Although such analyses are still in their infancy, they show great potential in the ongoing battle against this dismal disease.

Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional↗

DNA microarrays in pediatric cancer.

Childhood cancer, like all cancer, is at heart a genetic disease. Consequently, fundamental understanding of the oncogenic process is likely to be beneficially addressed by genetic methodology. Current methods have largely focused on single-gene defects, like chimeric genes, which are present in many sarcomas and leukemias. Real understanding is more likely to derive from a genome-wide analysis of these malignancies. Recent technologic advances have made it possible to simultaneously assess the entire expressed gene profile, or transcriptome, of a given cancer. Foremost among these methods is gene expression profiling using DNA microarrays. Two basic approaches predominate: spotted arrays and photolithography arrays. Regardless of the method, the resulting information can be used to create disease profiles, but only if appropriate bioinformatic solutions are employed. Common analytic approaches include two-way expression comparisons, or scatter analyses; outlier gene analysis, to identify significantly dysregulated genes; dendrogram analyses, as pioneered by Eisen; cluster analyses to identify diagnostic or biologic groups; and various forms of functional analyses to identify relevant genes and biologic pathways. Studies of both adult and pediatric cancer have demonstrated the feasibility of such analyses to identify both diagnostic and prognostic groups of tumors. Acute childhood leukemias have been grouped into myelogenous and lymphoid, and even B- and T-cell subsets. Breast cancer prognostic groups have been identified on the basis of a small subset of expressed genes. In addition, preliminary data on childhood sarcomas appear to identify both diagnostic and prognostic subsets. Specifically, embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma could be distinguished from alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, and even morphologically mixed embryonal and alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma showed similar gene expression profiles in both histologies. Further, collaborative studies using clustering analyses appear to identify prognostic groups of diverse sarcomas. Larger institutional and cooperative group studies are currently underway to validate these preliminary findings.

Animals↗

Regulation of expression of symbiotic genes in Rhizobium sp. NGR234.

Research in the field of Rhizobium-legume symbiosis faces a new challenge: integrate the wealth of information generated by genomic projects. The goal: apprehend the complexity of the molecular mechanisms involved in symbiotic associations. At the time of writing, the genomes of three micro-symbionts (Bradyrhizobium japonicum, Mesorhizobium loti and Sinorhizobium meliloti) have been sequenced, and two more (those of Rhizobium leguminosarum and Rhizobium etli) will be completed in the near future. Together, completed rhizobial genomes represent already 23,393,822 bp of DNA sequence and 21,797 predicted open reading frames (ORFs). To identify candidate-symbiotic genes in such a broad database, predict their function and dissect the regulatory networks that govern their expression are no simple tasks. One way to confront this problem is to combine different datasets, in particular genetic and transcriptional maps as well as predicted promoters from bioinformatics analyses. Here, we would like to illustrate this type of approach with the analysis of the symbiotic plasmid (pNGR234a) of the broad host-range Rhizobium sp. NGR234.

Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial↗

[Cloning of genes transactivated by nonstructural protein 4A of hepatitis C virus.].

BACKGROUND: To construct a subtractive cDNA library of genes transactivated by NS4A protein of hepatitis C virus with suppression subtractive hybridization technique (SSH). METHODS: The mRNA was isolated from Hep G2 cells transfected pcDNA3.1(-)-NS4A and pcDNA3.1(-) empty vector, respectively, then the cDNA was synthesized. SSH method was employed to analyze the differentially expressed RNA sequence between the two groups. The twice enriched PCR products were subcloned into T/A vectors to set up the subtractive library. Amplification of the library was carried out with E.coli strain JM109. The cDNA was sequenced and analyzed in comparison with those in GenBank with Blast search after PCR. RESULTS: The amplified library contained 36 positive clones. Colony PCR showed that 36 clones contained 200-1000 bp inserts. Sequence analysis was performed in 25 clones, and the full length sequences were obtained with bioinformatics method. Altogether 20 kinds of coding sequences were achieved, which consisted of 18 kinds of known and 2 kinds of unknown ones. The obtained sequences may be target genes transactivated by NS4A protein of HCV, among which some genes coding for proteins involved in cell cycle regulation, cell apoptosis, signal transduction pathway and tumour development. CONCLUSION: A subtractive library of genes transactivated by NS4A protein of HCV was constructed successfully, which brought some new clues for studying the biological functions and pathogenesis of the viral proteins.

Cloning, Molecular↗

Transactivating effect of complete S protein of hepatitis B virus and cloning of genes transactivated by complete S protein using suppression subtractive hybridization technique.

AIM: To investigate the transactivating effect of complete S protein of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and to construct a subtractive cDNA library of genes transactivated by complete S protein of HBV by suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) technique and to clone genes associated with its transactivation activity, and to pave the way for elucidating the pathogenesis of hepatitis B virus infection. METHODS: pcDNA3.1(-)-complete S containing full-length HBV S gene was constructed by insertion of HBV complete S gene into BamH I/Kpn I sites. HepG2 cells were cotransfected with pcDNA3.1(-)-complete S and pSV-lacZ. After 48 h, cells were collected and detected for the expression of beta-galactosidase (beta-gal). Suppression subtractive hybridization and bioinformatics techniques were used. The mRNA of HepG2 cells transfected with pcDNA3.1(-)-complete S and pcDNA3.1(-) empty vector was isolated, and detected for the expression of complete S protein by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method, and cDNA was synthesized. After digestion with restriction enzyme RsaI, cDNA fragments were obtained. Tester cDNA was then divided into two groups and ligated to the specific adaptors 1 and 2, respectively. After tester cDNA had been hybridized with driver cDNA twice and underwent nested PCR twice, amplified cDNA fragments were subcloned into pGEM-Teasy vectors to set up the subtractive library. Amplification of the library was carried out within E. coli strain DH5alpha. The cDNA was sequenced and analyzed in GenBank with BLAST search after polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification. RESULTS: The complete S mRNA could be detected by RT-PCR in HepG2 cells transfected with the pcDNA3.1(-)-complete S. The activity of beta-gal in HepG2 cells transfected with the pcDNA3.1(-)-complete S was 6.9 times higher than that of control plasmid. The subtractive library of genes transactivated by HBV complete S protein was constructed successfully. The amplified library contains 86 positive clones. Colony PCR showed that 86 clones contained DNA inserts of 200-1 000 bp, respectively. Sequence analysis was performed in 35 clones randomly, and the full length sequences were obtained with bioinformatics method and searched for homologous DNA sequence from GenBank, altogether 33 coding sequences were obtained. These cDNA sequences might be target genes transactivated by complete S protein of HBV. Moreover, two unknown genes were discovered, full length coding sequences were obtained by bioinformatics techniques, one of them was named complete S transactivated protein 1 (CSTP1) and registered in GenBank (AY553877). CONCLUSION: The complete S gene of HBV has a transactivating effect on SV40 early promoter. A subtractive cDNA library of genes transactivated by HBV complete S protein using SSH technique has been constructed successfully. The obtained sequences may be target genes transactivated by HBV complete S protein among which some genes coding proteins are involved in cell cycle regulation, metabolism, immunity, signal transduction, cell apoptosis and formation mechanism of hepatic carcinoma.

Cell Line, Tumor↗

Development of NF2 gene specific, strictly sequence defined diagnostic microarray for deletion detection.

Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) is an autosomal dominant cancer syndrome caused by the biallelic inactivation of the neurofibromin 2 tumor suppressor gene ( NF2). Current molecular diagnostic methods for NF2 involve the detection of point mutations and/or microdeletions across the 100-kb locus from 22q12. Despite the fact that NF2 gene inactivating deletions occur in 25-30% of NF2 patients, the available approaches for high-resolution and high-throughput detection of deletions are underdeveloped. This need for improved methodology for gene copy number analysis is especially apparent when compared to a variety of methods available for accurate detection of point mutations. The microarray-based form of comparative genomic hybridization has been previously applied in the high-resolution analysis of gene copy number variation across large genomic regions. In this study we apply a PCR-based, strictly sequence-defined, repeat-free approach for the preparation of a diagnostic microarray for the detection of disease-causing deletions in the NF2 gene. The methodology is based on the preselection of target DNA by excluding redundant sequence within the NF2 locus using bioinformatics. This approach allows a significant increase in the resolution of deletion detection. The current average resolution of analysis across the NF2 locus is 23 kb. Therefore this NF2 gene-specific microarray is the first high-resolution tool for detection of diagnostically significant gene copy number aberrations. This microarray should now be applied in the analysis of an extensive series of NF2 patients, and hence we would like to call for such samples.

Base Sequence↗

Proteomic analysis of phosphorylated proteins.

Reversible protein phosphorylation is of crucial importance in regulatory mechanisms and signaling pathways. Novel and efficient tools and strategies are being actively developed to allow, beyond the primary identification of phosphorylated proteins, the identification of phosphorylation sites and ultimately their quantification. These approaches are being used at various scales, from studies that have dedicated and functional goals to work with more exploratory and cataloguing objectives. The information thus generated now makes it possible to use bioinformatics to revisit previous knowledge about protein phosphorylation in plants and the pertinence of available prediction models. Although the analysis of phosphorylated proteins remains a challenging task, recent success and current developments are likely to mark the transition towards the introduction of phosphoproteomics as one of the main integration levels in post-genome plant biology.

Computational Biology↗

Application of global analysis techniques to Corynebacterium glutamicum: new insights into nitrogen regulation.

The regulation of nitrogen metabolism in the amino acid producer Corynebacterium glutamicum was subject of research for several decades. While previous studies focused on single enzymes or pathways, the publication of the C. glutamicum genome sequence gave a fresh impetus to research, since a global investigation of metabolism and regulation networks became possible based on these data. This communication summarizes the advances made by different studies, in which global analysis approaches were used to characterize the C. glutamicum nitrogen starvation response. A combination of bioinformatics approaches, transcriptome and proteome analyses as well as chemostat experiments revealed new insights into the nitrogen control network of C. glutamicum. C. glutamicum reacts to a limited nitrogen supply with a rearrangement of the cellular transport capacity, changes in metabolic pathways for nitrogen assimilation and amino acid biosynthesis, an increased energy generation and increased protein stability. With the aid of chemostat experiments, in which different growth rates were obtained by nitrogen limitation, general starvation effects could be distinguished from specific nitrogen limitation-dependent changes. The core adaptations on the level of transcription are controlled by the master regulator of nitrogen control, the TetR-type protein AmtR. This global regulator governs transcription of at least 33 genes via binding to a palindromic consensus motif (AmtR box). Genes with AmtR box-containing promoters were identified by genome-wide screening and validated, besides by other methods, by transcriptome analyses using DNA microarrays.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Identification of mitochondrial energy metabolism-related candidate genes UQCR10 and NDUFA6 in pediatric tetralogy of fallot: an exploratory bioinformatics study.

BACKGROUND: Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is one of the most common cyanotic congenital heart diseases in infants and young children. Its molecular basis remains incompletely understood. This study aimed to identify mitochondrial energy metabolism-related candidate genes associated with pediatric TOF using public heart tissue transcriptomic datasets from the GEO database. METHODS: Datasets GSE146218 and GSE217772 were downloaded and merged, followed by batch-effect correction. Differential expression analysis was performed to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Functional enrichment analysis, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis were used to prioritize candidate genes. The Comparative Toxicogenomics Database (CTD) was used as an exploratory literature-based tool to summarize gene-disease associations. RESULTS: A total of 960 DEGs were identified. Functional enrichment analyses showed that these genes were mainly enriched in mitochondrial energy metabolism-related pathways, including oxidative phosphorylation and the mitochondrial respiratory chain. WGCNA and PPI network analyses further prioritized UQCR10 and NDUFA6 as candidate genes, and both genes showed increased expression in TOF heart tissue samples. CTD analysis suggested literature-based associations between these genes and cardiovascular or developmental disease-related terms. CONCLUSION: This exploratory bioinformatics study identified UQCR10 and NDUFA6 as mitochondrial energy metabolism-related candidate genes upregulated in pediatric TOF heart tissue. These findings suggest that mitochondrial respiratory chain-related transcriptional alterations may be involved in TOF-associated myocardial remodeling or stress responses. Further experimental and clinical validation is required to confirm their biological relevance.

Humans↗

Modification of the transcriptomic response to renal ischemia/reperfusion injury by lipoxin analog.

BACKGROUND: Lipoxins are lipoxygenase-derived eicosanoids with anti-inflammatory and proresolution bioactivities in vitro and in vivo. We have previously demonstrated that the stable synthetic LXA4 analog 15-epi-16-(FPhO)-LXA4-Me is renoprotective in murine renal ischemia/reperfusion injury, as gauged by lower serum creatinine, attenuated leukocyte infiltration, and reduced morphologic tubule injury. METHODS: We employed complementary oligonucleotide microarray and bioinformatic analyses to probe the transcriptomic events that underpin lipoxin renoprotection in this setting. RESULTS: Microarray-based analysis identified three broad categories of genes whose mRNA levels are altered in response to ischemia/reperfusion injury, including known genes previously implicated in the pathogenesis of ischemia/reperfusion injury [e.g., intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), p21, KIM-1], known genes not previously associated with ischemia/reperfusion injury, and cDNAs representing yet uncharacterized genes. Characterization of expressed sequence tags (ESTs) displayed on microarrays represents a major challenge in studies of global gene expression. A bioinformatic annotation pipeline successfully annotated a large proportion of ESTs modulated during ischemia/reperfusion injury. The differential expression of a representative group of these ischemia/reperfusion injury-modulated genes was confirmed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Prominent among the up-regulated genes were claudin-1, -3, and -7, and ADAM8. Interestingly, the former response was claudin-specific and was not observed with other claudins expressed by the kidney (e.g., claudin-8 and -6) or indeed with other components of the renal tight junctions (e.g., occludin and junctional adhesion molecule). Noteworthy among the down-regulated genes was a cluster of transport proteins (e.g., aquaporin-1) and the zinc metalloendopeptidase meprin-1 beta implicated in renal remodeling. CONCLUSION: Treatment with the lipoxin analog 15-epi-16-(FPhO)-LXA4-Me prior to injury modified the expression of many differentially expressed pathogenic mediators, including cytokines, growth factors, adhesion molecules, and proteases, suggesting a renoprotective action at the core of the pathophysiology of acute renal failure (ARF). Importantly, this lipoxin-modulated transcriptomic response included many genes expressed by renal parenchymal cells and was not merely a reflection of a reduced renal mRNA load resulting from attenuated leukocyte recruitment. The data presented herein suggest a framework for understanding drivers of kidney injury in ischemia/reperfusion and the molecular basis for renoprotection by lipoxins in this setting.

ADAM Proteins↗

Genome-wide linkage analyses and candidate gene fine mapping for HDL3 cholesterol: the Framingham Study.

High density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) is inversely associated with coronary heart disease and has a genetic component; however, linkage to HDL-C is not conclusive. Subfractions of HDL, such as HDL(3)-C, may be better phenotypes for linkage studies. Using HDL(3)-C levels measured on 907 Framingham Heart Study subjects from 330 families around 1987, we conducted a genome-wide variance components linkage analysis with 401 microsatellite markers spaced approximately 10 centimorgan (cM) apart. Nine candidate genes were identified and annotated using a bioinformatics approach in the region of the highest linkage peak. Twenty-eight single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were selected from these candidate genes, and linkage and family-based association fine mapping were conducted using these SNPs. The highest multipoint log-of-the-odds (LOD) score from the initial linkage analysis was 3.7 at 133 cM on chromosome 6. Linkage analyses with additional SNPs yielded the highest LOD score of 4.0 at 129 cM on chromosome 6. Family-based association analysis revealed that SNP rs2257104 in PLAGL1 at approximately 143 cM was associated with multivariable adjusted HDL(3) (P = 0.03). Further study of the linkage region and exploration of other variants in PLAGL1 are warranted to define the potential functional variants of HDL-C metabolism.

Adult↗

Global Profiling and Analysis of 5' Monophosphorylated mRNA Decay Intermediates.

During RNA turnover, the action of endo- and exo-ribonucleases can yield RNA decay intermediates with specific 5' ends. These RNA decay intermediates have been demonstrated to be the outcome of decapping, microRNA-directed endo-cleavage, or the protected fragments of ribosomes and exon-junction complexes. Therefore, global analysis of RNA decay intermediates can facilitate studies of many RNA decay pathways. In this chapter, we describe a high-throughput sequencing protocol named parallel analysis of RNA ends (PARE), which allows genome-wide profiling of 5' monophosphorylated mRNA decay intermediates from plants or other eukaryotes. Also, we present the tools and scripts necessary for the proper analysis of RNA degradome data obtained from the PARE method. Details and modifications of library construction procedures and bioinformatic analyses to optimize sequencing quality and cope with emerging sequencing platforms and findings are highlighted.

RNA Stability↗

Characterisation of global protein expression by two-dimensional electrophoresis and mass spectrometry: proteomics of Toxoplasma gondii.

The development of tools for the analysis of global gene expression is vital for the optimal exploitation of the data on parasite genomes that are now being generated in abundance. Recent advances in two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE), mass spectrometry and bioinformatics have greatly enhanced the possibilities for mapping and characterisation of protein populations. We have employed these developments in a proteomics approach for the analysis of proteins expressed in the tachyzoite stage of Toxoplasma gondii. Over 1000 polypeptides were reproducibly separated by high-resolution 2-DE using the pH ranges 4-7 and 6-11. Further separations using narrow range gels suggest that at least 3000-4000 polypeptides should be resolvable by 2-DE using multiple single pH unit gels. Mass spectrometry was used to characterise a variety of protein spots on the 2-DE gels. Peptide mass fingerprints, acquired by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation-(MALDI) mass spectrometry, enabled unambiguous protein identifications to be made where full gene sequence information was available. However, interpretation of peptide mass fingerprint data using the T. gondii expressed sequence tag (EST) database was less reliable. Peptide fragmentation data, acquired by post-source decay mass spectrometry, proved a more successful strategy for the putative identification of proteins using the T. gondii EST database and protein databases from other organisms. In some instances, several protein spots appeared to be encoded by the same gene, indicating that post-translational modification and/or alternative splicing events may be a common feature of functional gene expression in T. gondii. The data demonstrate that proteomic analyses are now viable for T. gondii and other protozoa for which there are good EST databases, even in the absence of complete genome sequence. Moreover, proteomics is of great value in interpreting and annotating EST databases.

Animals↗

Genetics and molecular profiling of multiple myeloma: novel tools for clinical management?

The understanding of molecular events involved in multiple myeloma (MM) development as well as of mechanisms underlying sensitivity/resistance to anticancer drugs has been dramatically increased by the wide-spread use of modern technologies for genetic analysis, global gene expression and proteomic profiling. Such analytical approaches, which are presently supported by reliable bioinformatic tools, have depicted a new scenario for the development of molecular-based anti-MM agents and for predicting clinical outcome. IgH translocations or a hyperdiploid state are emerging as early genetic signatures of MM which lead to deregulated expression of cyclin D. At present however, the major challenge remains the definition of the potential role of cytogenetic techniques and molecular profiling technologies in individual patient management. Here we will describe the prospective potential and current achievements of such technologies which might produce major advancements in the treatment of this still incurable disease.

Chromosome Aberrations↗

Comprehensive post-genomic data analysis approaches integrating biochemical pathway maps.

Post-genomic era research is focusing on studies to attribute functions to genes and their encoded proteins, and to describe the regulatory networks controlling metabolic, protein synthesis and signal transduction pathways. To facilitate the analysis of experiments using post-genomic technologies, new concepts for linking the vast amount of raw data to a biological context have to be developed. Visual representations of pathways help biologists to understand the complex relationships between components of metabolic networks, and provide an invaluable resource for the integration of transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics data sets. Besides providing an overview of currently available bioinformatic tools for plant scientists, we introduce BioPathAt, a newly developed visual interface that allows the knowledge-based analysis of genome-scale data by integrating biochemical pathway maps (BioPathAtMAPS module) with a manually scrutinized gene-function database (BioPathAtDB) for the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. In addition, we discuss approaches for generating a biochemical pathway knowledge database for A. thaliana that includes, in addition to accurate annotation, condensed experimental information regarding in vitro and in vivo gene/protein function.

Computational Biology↗