This study was supported by an Australian Research Council (ARC) Future Fellowship (FT16010043) and ANU Futures Scheme.

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The authors have nothing to disclose.

In this study, we evaluated exon-based and event-based approaches to detect AS and APA in bulk RNA-Seq and 3&#39; end sequencing data. The exon-based AS approaches produce both a list of differentially expressed exons and a gene-level ranking ordered by the statistical significance of overall gene-level differential splicing activity (Tables 1-2, 4-5). For the diffSplice package, differential usage is determined by fitting weighted linear models at an exon-level to estimate the differential log fold-chan...

RNA-seq has been widely used over the years typically for estimating differential gene expression and gene discovery1. In addition, it can also be utilized to estimate varying exon level usage due to gene expressing different isoforms, hence contributing to a better understanding of gene regulation at the post-transcriptional level. The majority of eukaryotic genes generate different isoforms by alternative splicing (AS) to increase the diversity of mRNA expression. AS events can be divided into different patterns: skipping of complete exons (SE) where a (&#34;cassette&#34;) exon is completely removed out of the transcript along with its flanking introns; alternative (donor) 5&#39; splice site selection (A5SS) and alternative 3&#39; (acceptor) splice site selection (A3SS) when two or more splice sites are present on either end of an exon; retention of introns (RI) when an intron is retained within the mature mRNA transcript and mutual exclusion of exon usage (MXE) where only one of the two available exons can be retained at a time2,3. Alternative polyadenylation (APA) also plays an important role in regulating gene expression using alternative poly (A) sites to generate multiple mRNA isoforms from a single transcript4. Most polyadenylation sites (pAs) are located in the 3&#39; untranslated region (3&#39; UTRs), generating mRNA isoforms with diverse 3&#39; UTR lengths. As the 3&#39; UTR is the central hub for recognizing regulatory elements, different 3&#39; UTR lengths can affect mRNA localization, stability and translation5. There are a class of 3&#39; end sequencing assays optimized to detect APA that differ in the details of the protocol6. The pipeline described here is designed for PolyA-seq, but can be adapted for other protocols as described.
In this study, we present a pipeline of differential exon analysis methods7,8 (Figure 1), which can be divided into two broad categories: exon-based (DEXSeq9, diffSplice10) and event-based (replicate Multivariate Analysis of Transcript Splicing (rMATS)11). The exon-based methods compare the fold change across conditions of individual exons, against a measure of overall gene fold change to call differentially expressed exon usage, and from that compute a gene-level measure of AS activity. Event-based methods use exon-intron-spanning junction reads to detect and classify specific splicing events such as exon skipping or retention of introns, and distinguish these AS types in the output3. Thus, these methods provide complementary views for a complete analysis of AS12,13. We selected DEXSeq (based on the DESeq214 DGE package) and diffSplice (based on the Limma10 DGE package) for the study as they are amongst the most widely used packages for differential splicing analysis. rMATS was chosen as a popular method for event-based analysis. Another popular event-based method is MISO (Mixture of Isoforms)1. For APA we adapt the exon-based approach.
<img alt="Figure 1" class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/62636/62636fig01.jpg" /> 
Figure 1.&#160;Analysis pipeline. Flowchart of the steps used in the analysis. Steps include: obtaining the data, performing quality checks and read alignment followed by counting reads using annotations for known exons, introns and pA sites, filtering to remove low counts and normalization. PolyA-seq data was analysed for alternative pA sites using diffSplice/DEXSeq methods, bulk RNA-Seq was analysed for alternative splicing at the exon level with diffSplice/DEXseq methods, and AS events analysed with rMATS. <a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/62636/62636fig01large.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>
The RNA-seq data used in this survey was acquired from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) (GSE138691)15. We used mouse RNA-seq data from this study with two condition groups: wild-type (WT) and Muscleblind-like type 1 knockout (Mbnl1 KO) with three replicates each. To demonstrate differential polyadenylation site usage analysis, we obtained mouse embryo fibroblasts (MEFs) PolyA-seq data (GEO Accession GSE60487)16. The data has four condition groups: Wild-type (WT), Muscleblind-like type1/type 2 double knockout (Mbnl1/2 DKO), Mbnl 1/2 DKO with Mbnl3 knockdown (KD) and Mbnl1/2 DKO with Mbnl3 control (Ctrl). Each condition group consists of two replicates.
<table border="1" fo:font-size="5px" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td></td>
			<td>GEO Accession</td>
			<td>SRA Run number</td>
			<td>Sample name</td>
			<td>Condition</td>
			<td>Replicate</td>
			<td>Tissue</td>
			<td>Sequencing</td>
			<td>Read length</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td rowspan="6">RNA-Seq</td>
			<td>GSM4116218</td>
			<td>SRR10261601</td>
			<td>Mbnl1KO_Thymus_1</td>
			<td>Mbnl1 knockout</td>
			<td>Rep 1</td>
			<td>Thymus</td>
			<td>Paired-end</td>
			<td>100 bp</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>GSM4116219</td>
			<td>SRR10261602</td>
			<td>Mbnl1KO_Thymus_2</td>
			<td>Mbnl1 knockout</td>
			<td>Rep 2</td>
			<td>Thymus</td>
			<td>Paired-end</td>
			<td>100 bp</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>GSM4116220</td>
			<td>SRR10261603</td>
			<td>Mbnl1KO_Thymus_3</td>
			<td>Mbnl1 knockout</td>
			<td>Rep 3</td>
			<td>Thymus</td>
			<td>Paired-end</td>
			<td>100 bp</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>GSM4116221</td>
			<td>SRR10261604</td>
			<td>WT_Thymus_1</td>
			<td>Wild type</td>
			<td>Rep 1</td>
			<td>Thymus</td>
			<td>Paired-end</td>
			<td>100 bp</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>GSM4116222</td>
			<td>SRR10261605</td>
			<td>WT_Thymus_2</td>
			<td>Wild type</td>
			<td>Rep 2</td>
			<td>Thymus</td>
			<td>Paired-end</td>
			<td>100 bp</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>GSM4116223</td>
			<td>SRR10261606</td>
			<td>WT_Thymus_3</td>
			<td>Wild type</td>
			<td>Rep 3</td>
			<td>Thymus</td>
			<td>Paired-end</td>
			<td>100 bp</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td rowspan="8">3P-Seq</td>
			<td>GSM1480973</td>
			<td>SRR1553129</td>
			<td>WT_1</td>
			<td>Wild type (WT)</td>
			<td>Rep 1</td>
			<td>Mouse embryonic Fibroblasts (MEFs)</td>
			<td>Single-end</td>
			<td>40 bp</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>GSM1480974</td>
			<td>SRR1553130</td>
			<td>WT_2</td>
			<td>Wild type (WT)</td>
			<td>Rep 2</td>
			<td>Mouse embryonic Fibroblasts (MEFs)</td>
			<td>Single-end</td>
			<td>40 bp</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>GSM1480975</td>
			<td>SRR1553131</td>
			<td>DKO_1</td>
			<td>Mbnl 1/2 double knockout (DKO)</td>
			<td>Rep 1</td>
			<td>Mouse embryonic Fibroblasts (MEFs)</td>
			<td>Single-end</td>
			<td>40 bp</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>GSM1480976</td>
			<td>SRR1553132</td>
			<td>DKO_2</td>
			<td>Mbnl 1/2 double knockout (DKO)</td>
			<td>Rep 2</td>
			<td>Mouse embryonic Fibroblasts (MEFs)</td>
			<td>Single-end</td>
			<td>40 bp</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>GSM1480977</td>
			<td>SRR1553133</td>
			<td>DKOsiRNA_1</td>
			<td>Mbnl 1/2 double knockout with Mbnl 3 siRNA (KD)</td>
			<td>Rep 1</td>
			<td>Mouse embryonic Fibroblasts (MEFs)</td>
			<td>Single-end</td>
			<td>40 bp</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>GSM1480978</td>
			<td>SRR1553134</td>
			<td>DKOsiRNA_2</td>
			<td>Mbnl 1/2 double knockout with Mbnl 3 siRNA (KD)</td>
			<td>Rep 2</td>
			<td>Mouse embryonic Fibroblasts (MEFs)</td>
			<td>Single-end</td>
			<td>36 bp</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>GSM1480979</td>
			<td>SRR1553135</td>
			<td>DKONTsiRNA_1</td>
			<td>Mbnl 1/2 double knockout with non-targeting siRNA (Ctrl)</td>
			<td>Rep 1</td>
			<td>Mouse embryonic Fibroblasts (MEFs)</td>
			<td>Single-end</td>
			<td>40 bp</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>GSM1480980</td>
			<td>SRR1553136</td>
			<td>DKONTsiRNA_2</td>
			<td>Mbnl 1/2 double knockout with non-targeting siRNA (Ctrl)</td>
			<td>Rep 2</td>
			<td>Mouse embryonic Fibroblasts (MEFs)</td>
			<td>Single-end</td>
			<td>40 bp</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
Table 1. Summary of RNA-Seq and PolyA-seq datasets used for the analysis.

<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Not relevent for computational study</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

identification of alternative splicing and polyadenylation in rna-seq data

As well as the typical analysis of RNA-Seq to measure differential gene expression (DGE) across experimental/biological conditions, RNA-seq data can also be utilized to explore other complex regulatory mechanisms at the exon level. Alternative splicing and polyadenylation play a crucial role in the functional diversity of a gene by generating different isoforms to regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level, and limiting analyses to the whole gene level can miss this important regulatory layer. Here, we demonstrate detailed step by step analyses for identification and visualization of differential exon and polyadenylation site usage across conditions, using Bioconductor and other packages and functions, including DEXSeq, diffSplice from the Limma package, and rMATS.

After running the above step-by-step workflow, the AS and APA&#160;analysis outputs and representative results are in the form of tables and data plots, generated as follows.
AS: 
The main output of the AS analysis (Supplementary Table 1 for diffSplice; Table 2 for DEXSeq) is a list of exons showing differential usage across conditions, and a list of genes showing significant overall splicing activity of one or more of its constituent exo...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Identification of Alternative Splicing and Polyadenylation in RNA-seq Data at JoVE.com

Identification of Alternative Splicing and Polyadenylation in RNA-seq Data

Alternative splicing (AS) and alternative polyadenylation (APA) expand the diversity of transcript isoforms and their products. Here, we describe bioinformatic protocols to analyze bulk RNA-seq and 3' end sequencing assays to detect and visualize AS and APA varying across experimental conditions.

As well as the typical analysis of RNA-Seq to measure differential gene expression (DGE) across experimental/biological conditions, RNA-seq data can also ...

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Biology

5.3K Views.  The Australian National University. Alternative splicing (AS) and alternative polyadenylation (APA) expand the diversity of transcript isoforms and their products. Here, we describe bioinformatic protocols to analyze bulk RNA-seq and 3' end sequencing assays to detect and visualize AS and APA varying across experimental conditions.

Video: Identification of Alternative Splicing and Polyadenylation in RNA-seq Data

Performing Vaginal Lavage, Crystal Violet Staining, and Vaginal Cytological Evaluation for Mouse Estrous Cycle Staging Identification

A rapid means of assessing reproductive status in rodents is useful not only in the study of reproductive dysfunction but is also required for the production of new mouse models of disease and investigations into the hormonal regulation of tissue degeneration (or regeneration) following pathological challenge. The murine reproductive (or estrous) cycle is divided into 4 stages: proestrus, estrus, metestrus, and diestrus. Defined fluctuations in circulating levels of the ovarian steroids 17-&beta;-estradiol and progesterone, the gonadotropins luteinizing and follicle stimulating hormones, and the luteotropic hormone prolactin signal transition through these reproductive stages. Changes in cell typology within the murine vaginal canal reflect these underlying endocrine events. Daily assessment of the relative ratio of nucleated epithelial cells, cornified squamous epithelial cells, and leukocytes present in vaginal smears can be used to identify murine estrous stages. The degree of invasiveness, however, employed in collecting these samples can alter reproductive status and elicit an inflammatory response that can confound cytological assessment of smears. Here, we describe a simple, non-invasive protocol that can be used to determine the stage of the estrous cycle of a female mouse without altering her reproductive cycle. We detail how to differentiate between the four stages of the estrous cycle by collection and analysis of predominant cell typology in vaginal smears and we show how these changes can be interpreted with respect to endocrine status.

Here, we describe how to identify the stage of the murine reproductive (proestrus, estrus, metestrus, or diestrus) by simple, non-invasive collection and cytological assessment of vaginal smear samples. We further describe how vaginal cytology reflects circulating hormonal levels underlying transition through the murine reproductive cycle.

A rapid means of assessing reproductive status in rodents is useful not only in the study of reproductive dysfunction but is also required for the ...

RNA-seq Analysis of Transcriptomes in Thrombin-treated and Control Human Pulmonary Microvascular Endothelial Cells

The characterization of gene expression in cells via measurement of mRNA levels is a useful tool in determining how the transcriptional machinery of the cell is affected by external signals (e.g. drug treatment), or how cells differ between a healthy state and a diseased state. With the advent and continuous refinement of next-generation DNA sequencing technology, RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) has become an increasingly popular method of transcriptome analysis to catalog all species of transcripts, to determine the transcriptional structure of all expressed genes and to quantify the changing expression levels of the total set of transcripts in a given cell, tissue or organism1,2 . RNA-seq is gradually replacing DNA microarrays as a preferred method for transcriptome analysis because it has the advantages of profiling a complete transcriptome, providing a digital type datum (copy number of any transcript) and not relying on any known genomic sequence3.
Here, we present a complete and detailed protocol to apply RNA-seq to profile transcriptomes in human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells with or without thrombin treatment. This protocol is based on our recent published study entitled "RNA-seq Reveals Novel Transcriptome of Genes and Their Isoforms in Human Pulmonary Microvascular Endothelial Cells Treated with Thrombin,"4 in which we successfully performed the first complete transcriptome analysis of human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells treated with thrombin using RNA-seq. It yielded unprecedented resources for further experimentation to gain insights into molecular mechanisms underlying thrombin-mediated endothelial dysfunction in the pathogenesis of inflammatory conditions, cancer, diabetes, and coronary heart disease, and provides potential new leads for therapeutic targets to those diseases.
The descriptive text of this protocol is divided into four parts. The first part describes the treatment of human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells with thrombin and RNA isolation, quality analysis and quantification. The second part describes library construction and sequencing. The third part describes the data analysis. The fourth part describes an RT-PCR validation assay. Representative results of several key steps are displayed. Useful tips or precautions to boost success in key steps are provided in the Discussion section. Although this protocol uses human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells treated with thrombin, it can be generalized to profile transcriptomes in both mammalian and non-mammalian cells and in tissues treated with different stimuli or inhibitors, or to compare transcriptomes in cells or tissues between a healthy state and a disease state.

This protocol presents a complete and detailed procedure to apply RNA-seq, a powerful next-generation DNA sequencing technology, to profile transcriptomes in human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells with or without thrombin treatment. This protocol is generalizable to various cells or tissues affected by different reagents or disease states.

The characterization of gene expression in cells via measurement of mRNA levels is a useful tool in determining how the transcriptional machinery of the ...

Depletion of Ribosomal RNA for Mosquito Gut Metagenomic RNA-seq

The mosquito gut accommodates dynamic microbial communities across different stages of the insect's life cycle. Characterization of the genetic capacity and functionality of the gut community will provide insight into the effects of gut microbiota on mosquito life traits. Metagenomic RNA-Seq has become an important tool to analyze transcriptomes from various microbes present in a microbial community. Messenger RNA usually comprises only 1-3% of total RNA, while rRNA constitutes approximately 90%. It is challenging to enrich messenger RNA from a metagenomic microbial RNA sample because most prokaryotic mRNA species lack stable poly(A) tails. This prevents oligo d(T) mediated mRNA isolation. Here, we describe a protocol that employs sample derived rRNA capture probes to remove rRNA from a metagenomic total RNA sample. To begin, both mosquito and microbial small and large subunit rRNA fragments are amplified from a metagenomic community DNA sample. Then, the community specific biotinylated antisense ribosomal RNA probes are synthesized in vitro using T7 RNA polymerase. The biotinylated rRNA probes are hybridized to the total RNA. The hybrids are captured by streptavidin-coated beads and removed from the total RNA. This subtraction-based protocol efficiently removes both mosquito and microbial rRNA from the total RNA sample. The mRNA enriched sample is further processed for RNA amplification and RNA-Seq.

A ribosomal RNA (rRNA) depletion protocol was developed to enrich messenger RNA (mRNA) for RNA-seq of the mosquito gut metatranscriptome. Sample specific rRNA probes, which were used to remove rRNA via subtraction, were created from the mosquito and its gut microbes. Performance of the protocol can result in the removal of approximately 90-99% of rRNA.

The mosquito gut accommodates dynamic microbial communities across different stages of the insect's life cycle. Characterization of the genetic capacity ...

Alternative Cultures for Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Production, Maintenance, and Genetic Analysis

Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) hold great promise for regenerative medicine and biopharmaceutical applications. Currently, optimal culture and efficient expansion of large amounts of clinical-grade hPSCs are critical issues in hPSC-based therapies. Conventionally, hPSCs are propagated as colonies on both feeder and feeder-free culture systems. However, these methods have several major limitations, including low cell yields and generation of heterogeneously differentiated cells. To improve current hPSC culture methods, we have recently developed a new method, which is based on non-colony type monolayer (NCM) culture of dissociated single cells. Here, we present detailed NCM protocols based on the Rho-associated kinase (ROCK) inhibitor Y-27632. We also provide new information regarding NCM culture with different small molecules such as Y-39983 (ROCK I inhibitor), phenylbenzodioxane (ROCK II inhibitor), and thiazovivin (a novel ROCK inhibitor). We further extend our basic protocol to cultivate hPSCs on defined extracellular proteins such as the laminin isoform 521 (LN-521) without the use of ROCK inhibitors. Moreover, based on NCM, we have demonstrated efficient transfection or transduction of plasmid DNAs, lentiviral particles, and oligonucleotide-based microRNAs into hPSCs in order to genetically modify these cells for molecular analyses and drug discovery. The NCM-based methods overcome the major shortcomings of colony-type culture, and thus may be suitable for producing large amounts of homogeneous hPSCs for future clinical therapies, stem cell research, and drug discovery.

Here, we present human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) culture protocols, based on non-colony type monolayer (NCM) growth of dissociated single cells. This new method, utilizing Rho-associated kinase inhibitors or the laminin isoform 521 (LN-521), is suitable for producing large amounts of homogeneous hPSCs, genetic manipulation, and drug discovery.

Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) hold great promise for regenerative medicine and biopharmaceutical applications. Currently, optimal culture and ...

Detection of Alternative Splicing During Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition

Alternative splicing plays a critical role in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), an essential cellular program that occurs in various physiological and pathological processes. Here we describe a strategy to detect alternative splicing during EMT using an inducible EMT model by expressing the transcription repressor Twist. EMT is monitored by changes in cell morphology, loss of E-cadherin localization at cell-cell junctions, and the switched expression of EMT markers, such as loss of epithelial markers E-cadherin and &#947;-catenin and gain of mesenchymal markers N-cadherin and vimentin. Using isoform-specific primer sets, the alternative splicing of interested mRNAs are analyzed by quantitative RT-PCR. The production of corresponding protein isoforms is validated by immunoblotting assays. The method of detecting splice isoforms described here is also suitable for the study of alternative splicing in other biological processes.

Alternative splicing regulation has been shown to contribute to the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), an essential cellular program in various physiological and pathological processes. Here we describe a method utilizing an inducible EMT model for the detection of alternative splicing during EMT.

Alternative splicing plays a critical role in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), an essential cellular program that occurs in various ...

An Experimental and Bioinformatics Protocol for RNA-seq Analyses of Photoperiodic Diapause in the Asian Tiger Mosquito, Aedes albopictus

Photoperiodic diapause is an important adaptation that allows individuals to escape harsh seasonal environments via a series of physiological changes, most notably developmental arrest and reduced metabolism. Global gene expression profiling via RNA-Seq can provide important insights into the transcriptional mechanisms of photoperiodic diapause. The Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus, is an outstanding organism for studying the transcriptional bases of diapause due to its ease of rearing, easily induced diapause, and the genomic resources available. This manuscript presents a general experimental workflow for identifying diapause-induced transcriptional differences in A. albopictus. Rearing techniques, conditions necessary to induce diapause and non-diapause development, methods to estimate percent diapause in a population, and RNA extraction and integrity assessment for mosquitoes are documented. A workflow to process RNA-Seq data from Illumina sequencers culminates in a list of differentially expressed genes. The representative results demonstrate that this protocol can be used to effectively identify genes differentially regulated at the transcriptional level in A. albopictus due to photoperiodic differences. With modest adjustments, this workflow can be readily adapted to study the transcriptional bases of diapause or other important life history traits in other mosquitoes.

An Experimental and Bioinformatics Protocol for RNA-seq Analyses of Photoperiodic Diapause in the Asian Tiger Mosquito, Aedes albopictus

RNA-Seq analyses are becoming increasingly important for identifying the molecular underpinnings of adaptive traits in non-model organisms. Here, a protocol to identify differentially expressed genes between diapause and non-diapause Aedes albopictus mosquitoes is described, from mosquito rearing, to RNA sequencing and bioinformatics analyses of RNA-Seq data.

Photoperiodic diapause is an important adaptation that allows individuals to escape harsh seasonal environments via a series of physiological changes, ...

Rapid Identification of Chemical Genetic Interactions in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Determining the mode of action of bioactive chemicals is of interest to a broad range of academic, pharmaceutical, and industrial scientists. Saccharomyces cerevisiae, or budding yeast, is a model eukaryote for which a complete collection of ~6,000 gene deletion mutants and hypomorphic essential gene mutants are commercially available. These collections of mutants can be used to systematically detect chemical-gene interactions, i.e. genes necessary to tolerate a chemical. This information, in turn, reports on the likely mode of action of the compound. Here we describe a protocol for the rapid identification of chemical-genetic interactions in budding yeast. We demonstrate the method using the chemotherapeutic agent 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), which has a well-defined mechanism of action. Our results show that the nuclear TRAMP RNA exosome and DNA repair enzymes are needed for proliferation in the presence of 5-FU, which is consistent with previous microarray based bar-coding chemical genetic approaches and the knowledge that 5-FU adversely affects both RNA and DNA metabolism. The required validation protocols of these high-throughput screens are also described.

Rapid Identification of Chemical Genetic Interactions in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Here we present a cost-effective method for defining chemical-genetic interactions in budding yeast. The approach is built on fundamental techniques in yeast molecular biology and is well suited for the mechanistic interrogation of small to medium collections of chemicals and other media environments.

Determining the mode of action of bioactive chemicals is of interest to a broad range of academic, pharmaceutical, and industrial scientists. ...

Methods to Discover Alternative Promoter Usage and Transcriptional Regulation of Murine Bcrp1

Gene expression in different tissues is often controlled by alternative promoters that result in the synthesis of mRNA with unique &#8212; usually untranslated &#8212; first exons. Bcrp1 (Abcg2), the murine orthologue of the ABC transporter Breast Cancer Resistance Protein (BCRP, ABCG2), has at least four alternative promoters that are designated by the corresponding four alternative first exons produced: E1U, E1A, E1B, and E1C. Herein, in-silico protocols are presented to predict alternative promoter usage for Bcrp1. Furthermore, reporter assay methods are described to produce reporter constructs for alternative promoters and to determine the functionality of putative promoters upstream of the alternative first exons that are identified.

With the murine ABC transporter Bcrp1 (Abcg2) as an example, in-silico protocols are presented to detect alternative promoter usage in genes expressed in mouse tissues, and to evaluate the functionality of the alternative promoters identified using reporter assays.

Gene expression in different tissues is often controlled by alternative promoters that result in the synthesis of mRNA with unique &#8212; usually ...

Identification of Novel Regulators of Plant Transpiration by Large-Scale Thermal Imaging Screening in Helianthus Annuus

Plant adaptation to biotic and abiotic stresses is governed by a variety of factors, among which the regulation of stomatal aperture in response to water deficit or pathogens plays a crucial role. Identifying small molecules that regulate stomatal movement can therefore contribute to understanding the physiological basis by which plants adapt to their environment. Large-scale screening approaches that have been used to identify regulators of stomatal movement have potential limitations: some rely heavily on the abscisic acid (ABA) hormone signaling pathway, therefore excluding ABA-independent mechanisms, while others rely on the observation of indirect, long-term physiological effects such as plant growth and development. The screening method presented here allows the large-scale treatment of plants with a library of chemicals coupled with a direct quantification of their transpiration by thermal imaging. Since evaporation of water through transpiration results in leaf surface cooling, thermal imaging provides a non-invasive approach to investigate changes in stomatal conductance over time. In this protocol, Helianthus annuus seedlings are grown hydroponically and then treated by root feeding, in which the primary root is cut and dipped into the chemical being tested. Thermal imaging followed by statistical analysis of cotyledonary temperature changes over time allows for the identification of bioactive molecules modulating stomatal aperture. Our proof-of-concept experiments demonstrate that a chemical can be carried from the cut root to the cotyledon of the sunflower seedling within 10 minutes. In addition, when plants are treated with ABA as a positive control, an increase in leaf surface temperature can be detected within minutes. Our method thus allows the efficient and rapid identification of novel molecules regulating stomatal aperture.

Identification of Novel Regulators of Plant Transpiration by Large-Scale Thermal Imaging Screening in Helianthus Annuus

We provide a method for identifying modulators of foliar transpiration by large-scale screening of a compound library.

Plant adaptation to biotic and abiotic stresses is governed by a variety of factors, among which the regulation of stomatal aperture in response to water ...

A Bioinformatics Pipeline for Investigating Molecular Evolution and Gene Expression using RNA-seq

Distilling and reporting large datasets, such as whole genome or transcriptome data, is often a daunting task. One way to break down results is to focus on one or more gene families that are significant to the organism and study. In this protocol, we outline bioinformatic steps to generate a phylogeny and to quantify the expression of genes of interest. Phylogenetic trees can give insight into how genes are evolving within and between species as well as reveal orthology. These results can be enhanced using RNA-seq data to compare the expression of these genes in different individuals or tissues. Studies of molecular evolution and expression can reveal modes of evolution and conservation of gene function between species. The characterization of a gene family can serve as a springboard for future studies and can highlight an important gene family in a new genome or transcriptome paper.

The purpose of this protocol is to investigate the evolution and expression of candidate genes using RNA sequencing data.

Distilling and reporting large datasets, such as whole genome or transcriptome data, is often a daunting task. One way to break down results is to focus ...

Methods Article

Identification of Alternative Splicing and Polyadenylation in RNA-seq Data