Expressed Sequence Tag Profiling Research Articles

PanGPCR: predictions for multiple targets, repurposing and side effects.

Drug discovery targeting G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), the largest known class of therapeutic targets, is challenging. To facilitate the rapid discovery and development of GPCR drugs, we built a system, PanGPCR, to predict multiple potential GPCR targets and their expression locations in the tissues, side effects and possible repurposing of GPCR drugs. With PanGPCR, the compound of interest is docked to a library of 36 experimentally determined crystal structures comprising of 46 docking sites for human GPCRs, and a ranked list is generated from the docking studies to assess all GPCRs and their binding affinities. Users can determine a given compound's GPCR targets and its repurposing potential accordingly. Moreover, potential side effects collected from the SIDER (Side-Effect Resource) database and mapped to 45 tissues and organs are provided by linking predicted off-targets and their expressed sequence tag profiles. With PanGPCR, multiple targets, repurposing potential and side effects can be determined by simply uploading a small ligand. PanGPCR is freely accessible at https://gpcrpanel.cmdm.tw/index.html. Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.

Screening of broad spectrum natural pesticides against conserved target arginine kinase in cotton pests by molecular modeling

Cotton is an economically important crop and its production is challenged by the diversity of pests and related insecticide resistance. Identification of the conserved target across the cotton pest will help to design broad spectrum insecticide. In this study, we have identified conserved sequences by Expressed Sequence Tag profiling from three cotton pests namely Aphis gossypii, Helicoverpa armigera, and Spodoptera exigua. One target protein arginine kinase having a key role in insect physiology and energy metabolism was studied further using homology modeling, virtual screening, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulation to identify potential biopesticide compounds from the Zinc natural database. We have identified four compounds having excellent inhibitor potential against the identified broad spectrum target which are highly specific to invertebrates.

Genome-wide analysis of immune system genes by expressed sequence Tag profiling.

Profiling studies of mRNA and microRNA, particularly microarray-based studies, have been extensively used to create compendia of genes that are preferentially expressed in the immune system. In some instances, functional studies have been subsequently pursued. Recent efforts such as the Encyclopedia of DNA Elements have demonstrated the benefit of coupling RNA sequencing analysis with information from expressed sequence tags (ESTs) for transcriptomic analysis. However, the full characterization and identification of transcripts that function as modulators of human immune responses remains incomplete. In this study, we demonstrate that an integrated analysis of human ESTs provides a robust platform to identify the immune transcriptome. Beyond recovering a reference set of immune-enriched genes and providing large-scale cross-validation of previous microarray studies, we discovered hundreds of novel genes preferentially expressed in the immune system, including noncoding RNAs. As a result, we have established the Immunogene database, representing an integrated EST road map of gene expression in human immune cells, which can be used to further investigate the function of coding and noncoding genes in the immune system. Using this approach, we have uncovered a unique metabolic gene signature of human macrophages and identified PRDM15 as a novel overexpressed gene in human lymphomas. Thus, we demonstrate the utility of EST profiling as a basis for further deconstruction of physiologic and pathologic immune processes.

Gene identification in black cohosh (Actaea racemosa L.): expressed sequence tag profiling and genetic screening yields candidate genes for production of bioactive secondary metabolites

Black cohosh (Actaea racemosa L., syn. Cimicifuga racemosa, Nutt., Ranunculaceae) is a popular herb used for relieving menopausal discomforts. A variety of secondary metabolites, including triterpenoids, phenolic dimers, and serotonin derivatives have been associated with its biological activity, but the genes and metabolic pathways as well as the tissue distribution of their production in this plant are unknown. A gene discovery effort was initiated in A. racemosa by partial sequencing of cDNA libraries constructed from young leaf, rhizome, and root tissues. In total, 2,066 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) were assembled into 1,590 unique genes (unigenes). Most of the unigenes were predicted to encode primary metabolism genes, but about 70 were identified as putative secondary metabolism genes. Several of these candidates were analyzed further and full-length cDNA and genomic sequences for a putative 2,3 oxidosqualene cyclase (CAS1) and two BAHD-type acyltransferases (ACT1 and HCT1) were obtained. Homology-based PCR screening for the central gene in plant serotonin biosynthesis, tryptophan decarboxylase (TDC), identified two TDC-related sequences in A. racemosa. CAS1, ACT1, and HCT1 were expressed in most plant tissues, whereas expression of TDC genes was detected only sporadically in immature flower heads and some very young leaf tissues. The cDNA libraries described and assorted genes identified provide initial insight into gene content and diversity in black cohosh, and provide tools and resources for detailed investigations of secondary metabolite genes and enzymes in this important medicinal plant.

Glomerulus-specific mRNA transcripts and proteins identified through kidney expressed sequence tag database analysis

The kidney glomerulus plays a crucial role in blood filtration but the molecular composition and physiology of the glomerulus is not well understood. We previously constructed and large-scale sequenced four mouse glomerular expressed sequence tag (EST) libraries from newborn and adult mouse glomeruli. Here, we compared glomerular EST profiles with whole kidney EST profiles, thereby identifying 497 transcripts corresponding to UniGene clusters that were glomerulus-enriched, that is expressed more abundantly in glomeruli than in whole kidney. These include several known protein-coding glomerulus-specific transcripts critical for glomerulus development and function, but also a large number of gene transcripts, which have not previously been shown to be expressed in the glomerulus, or implicated in glomerular functions. We used in situ hybridization to demonstrate glomerulus-specific RNA expression for six novel glomerular genes and the public Human Protein Atlas to verify glomerular protein expression for another two. The higher mRNA abundance for the eight genes in glomeruli compared with whole kidney was also verified by Taqman quantitative polymerase chain reaction. We surmise that the further characterization of these genes and proteins will increase our understanding of glomerular development and physiology.

Expression and Subcellular Distribution of Novel Glomerulus-Associated Proteins Dendrin, Ehd3, Sh2d4a, Plekhh2, and 2310066E14Rik

The glomerular capillary tuft is a highly specialized microcapillary that is dedicated to function as a sophisticated molecular sieve. The glomerulus filter has a unique molecular composition, and several essential glomerular proteins are expressed in the kidney exclusively by glomerular podocytes. A catalog of >300 glomerulus-upregulated transcripts that were identified using expressed sequence tag profiling and microarray analysis was published recently. This study characterized the expression profile of five glomerulus-upregulated transcripts/proteins (ehd3, dendrin, sh2d4a, plekhh2, and 2310066E14Rik) in detail. The expression pattern of these novel glomerular transcripts in various mouse tissues was studied using reverse transcriptase-PCR, Northern blotting, and in situ hybridization. For studying the distribution of corresponding proteins, polyclonal antibodies were raised against the gene products, and Western blotting, immunofluorescence, and immunoelectron microscopic analyses were performed. Remarkably, it was discovered that all five transcripts/proteins were expressed in the kidney exclusively by glomerular cells. Ehd3 was expressed only by glomerular endothelial cells. Importantly, ehd3 is the first gene ever shown to be expressed exclusively by glomerular endothelial cells and not by other endothelial cells in the kidney. Dendrin, sh2d4a, plekhh2, and 2310066E14Rik, however, were transcribed solely by podocytes. With the use of polyclonal antibodies, dendrin, sh2d4a, and plekhh2 proteins were localized to the slit diaphragm and the foot process, whereas 2310066E14Rik protein was localized to the podocyte major processes and cell body. This study provides fresh insights into glomerular biology and uncovers new possibilities to explore the role of these novel proteins in the glomerular physiology and pathology.

Expression profiling of human fetal growth plate cartilage by EST sequencing

The differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells into hypertrophic chondrocytes is an integral and multistep process important in pattern formation, endochondral ossification, and postnatal growth of the skeleton. In recent years, novel genes involved in these processes have been identified, but still only little is known about the large-scale gene expression profile during skeletal development. We initiated an expressed sequence tag (EST) project aiming at the identification of genes and pathways involved in this complex process. Candidate genes are expected to be of value for diagnosis and treatment of monogenic and multigenic heritable disorders of the skeleton. Here, we describe the sequences of 4,748 clones from a human growth plate cartilage cDNA library generated from 20 weeks prenatal-2 years postnatal specimens. In silico analysis of these sequences revealed 1,688 individual transcription units, corresponding to known (1,274) and to novel, yet uncharacterised potential genes (414). The tissue specificity of the library was reflected by its corresponding EST profile representing a total of approximately 10% proteins already shown to be involved in cartilage/bone development or homeostasis. The EST profile also reflects the developmental stage of the tissue with significant differences in the expression of matrix proteins compared to corresponding EST profiles from 8-12 and 12-20 week human fetal cartilage. Calculation of the relative frequency of transcripts in our cDNA library, as compared to their abundance in other EST datasets, revealed a set of approximately 200 genes, including 81 novel, yet uncharacterised genes, showing increased expression. These genes represent candidates for the large number of osteochondrodysplasias for which the causative gene defects have not yet been identified.

Expressed sequence tag profiles from calcifying and non-calcifying cultures of Emiliania huxleyi

Expressed Sequence Tag (EST) analysis is a powerful means for evaluating gene expression and discovering novel genes. The method is relatively simple and particularly important for species where knowledge of the genome is unavailable or limited. In this study, we compare EST profiles of Emiliania huxleyi cultures grown under conditions that promote biomineralization and coccolithogenesis (F/50 media) and conditions that reduce these processes (F/2 media). A total of 3,527 clones from the F/50 and 4,116 clones from F/2 library were randomly selected and sequenced, resulting in a unigene set of 4,057 unique sequences comprised of 540 contigs and 3517 singletons. More than 40% of the expressed genes showed similarity to known genes from other organisms deposited in GenBank (e>10 −2 ) and have been functionally categorized. The comparative data provide cues for further studies pertaining to genes and proteins involved in biomineralization and coccolithogenesis, and taken together serve as a valuable resource for the coccolithophorid research community.

Gene expression profile of the human trabecular meshwork: NEIBank sequence tag analysis.

To characterize the gene expression pattern in the human trabecular meshwork (TM) and identify candidate genes for glaucoma by expressed sequence tag (EST) analysis as part of the NEIBank project. RNA was extracted from dissected human TM and used to construct unamplified, un-normalized cDNA libraries in the pSPORT1 vector. More than 4000 clones were sequenced from the 5' end. Clones were clustered and identified using GRIST software. In addition, the expression patterns of genes encoding olfactomedin-domain proteins were analyzed by RT-PCR. After non-mRNA contaminants were removed, 3459 independent TM-expressed clones were obtained. These were grouped in 1888 clusters, potentially representing individual expressed genes. Transcripts for the myocilin gene, a locus for inherited glaucoma, formed the third most abundant cluster in the TM collection, and several other genes implicated in glaucoma (PITX2, CYP1B1, and optineurin) were also represented. One abundant TM transcript was from the gene for the angiopoietin-like factor CTD6, which is located at on the long arm of chromosome 1, area 36.2-36.1 in the region of the glaucoma locus GLC3B, whereas other transcripts were from genes close to known glaucoma loci. The TM collection contains cDNAs for genes that are preferentially expressed in the lymphatic endothelium (matrix Gla protein, apolipoprotein D precursor, and selenoprotein P precursor). In addition to EST profiling, RT- PCR was used to detect transcripts of the olfactomedin-domain proteins latrotoxin receptor Lec3 and optimedin in the TM. The TM libraries are a good source of molecular markers for TM and candidate genes for glaucoma. The abundance of myocilin cDNAs corresponds to the critical role of this gene in glaucoma and contrasts with libraries derived from cultured tissue. The expression profile raises the possibility that cells of the TM and Schlemm's canal may be more similar to lymphatic, rather than blood vascular endothelium.

Expressed sequence tag profiling identifies developmental and anatomic partitioning of gene expression in the mouse prostate.

The prostate gland is an organ with highly specialized functional attributes that serves to enhance the fertility of mammalian species. Much of the information pertaining to normal and pathological conditions affecting the prostate has been obtained through extensive developmental, biochemical and genetic analyses of rodent species. Although important insights can be obtained through detailed anatomical and histological assessments of mouse and rat models, further mechanistic explanations are greatly aided through studies of gene and protein expression. In this article we characterize the repertoire of genes expressed in the normal developing mouse prostate through the analysis of 50,562 expressed sequence tags derived from 14 mouse prostate cDNA libraries. Sequence assemblies and annotations identified 15,009 unique transcriptional units of which more than 600 represent high quality assemblies without corresponding annotations in public gene expression databases. Quantitative analyses demonstrate distinct anatomical and developmental partitioning of prostate gene expression. This finding may assist in the interpretation of comparative studies between human and mouse and guide the development of new transgenic murine disease models. The identification of several novel genes is reported, including a new member of the beta-defensin gene family with prostate-restricted expression. These findings suggest a potential role for the prostate as a defensive barrier for entry of pathogens into the genitourinary tract and, further, serve to emphasize the utility of the continued evaluation of transcriptomes from a diverse repertoire of tissues and cell types.