Project description:Technology for crosslinking and immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing (CLIP-seq) has identified the transcriptomic targets of hundreds of RNA-binding proteins in cells. To improve the power of existing and future CLIP-seq datasets, we introduce Skipper, an end-to-end workflow that converts unprocessed reads into annotated binding sites using an improved statistical framework. Compared to existing methods, Skipper on average calls 3.1-4.2 times more transcriptomic binding sites and sometimes >10 times more sites, providing deeper insight into post-transcriptional gene regulation. Skipper also calls binding to annotated repetitive elements and identifies bound elements for 99% of enhanced CLIP experiments. We perform nine translation factor enhanced CLIPs and apply Skipper to learn determinants of translation factor occupancy including transcript region, sequence, and subcellular localization. Furthermore, we observe depletion of genetic variation in occupied sites and nominate transcripts subject to selective constraint because of translation factor occupancy. Skipper offers fast, easy, customizable analysis of CLIP-seq data.
Project description:The mammary epithelial tree is a heterogeneous structure that contains two main populations, luminal and basal, with distinct molecular and functional characteristics. The investigation of how this heterogeneity is developed and how it influences breast tumorigenesis has been hampered by the need to perform these studies using animal models due to the lack of relevant, tractable, and fully characterized in vitro models. Comma-1D is an immortalized mouse mammary epithelial cell line that has unique morphogenetic properties particularly its ability to generate cells of luminal and basal lineages. Here, we perform single-cell RNA-seq studies to dissect its heterogeneous nature. Our analysis reveals that Comma-1D cultures consist of two main populations with luminal and basal features and a smaller population with mixed lineage and bipotent characteristics. Additionally, we demonstrate that multiple transcription factors associated with the differentiation of the mammary epithelium in vivo also modulate this process in Comma-1D cultures. Finally, we have used the Comma-1D model to study how the cellular subtype of origin influences the response to cancer-promoting mutations. We found that only cells with luminal molecular features were able to acquire transformed characteristics after an oncogenic HER2 mutant was introduced in their genomes. Overall, the studies present here characterize at a single-cell level the heterogeneity of the Comma-1D cell line and illustrate how the unique properties of Comma-1D cells can be used as an experimental model to study both the differentiation and the transformation processes in vitro.
Project description:The mammary epithelial tree is a heterogeneous structure that contains two main populations, luminal and basal, with distinct molecular and functional characteristics. The investigation of how this heterogeneity is developed and how it influences breast tumorigenesis has been hampered by the need to perform these studies using animal models due to the lack of relevant, tractable, and fully characterized in vitro models. Comma-1D is an immortalized mouse mammary epithelial cell line that has unique morphogenetic properties particularly its ability to generate cells of luminal and basal lineages. Here, we perform single-cell RNA-seq studies to dissect its heterogeneous nature. Our analysis reveals that Comma-1D cultures consist of two main populations with luminal and basal features and a smaller population with mixed lineage and bipotent characteristics. Additionally, we demonstrate that multiple transcription factors associated with the differentiation of the mammary epithelium in vivo also modulate this process in Comma-1D cultures. Finally, we have used the Comma-1D model to study how the cellular subtype of origin influences the response to cancer-promoting mutations. We found that only cells with luminal molecular features were able to acquire transformed characteristics after an oncogenic HER2 mutant was introduced in their genomes. Overall, the studies present here characterize at a single-cell level the heterogeneity of the Comma-1D cell line and illustrate how the unique properties of Comma-1D cells can be used as an experimental model to study both the differentiation and the transformation processes in vitro.
Project description:This gene expression microarray analysis is to test how induced Bcl11b expression affect the overall gene expression profile of Comma D Beta Cells in the progenitor (sca1+) and differentiated (Sca1-) population. Comma D beta Cell line was cultured DMEM F12+2% FBS+1% PSA+5ug/ml insulin+10ng/ml EGF in 175 cm2 culture flask overnight, followed by 100ng/ml Doxycycline treatment for 1 day. Then, cells were trypsinized and subjected for flow sorting of Sca1+ and Sca- population. RNA was then extracted and subjected to microarray gene expression analysis. Sca1+ and Sca1- cells in the presence or absence of Doxycycline.
Project description:This gene expression microarray analysis is to test how induced Bcl11b expression affect the overall gene expression profile of Comma D Beta Cells in the progenitor (sca1+) and differentiated (Sca1-) population. Comma D beta Cell line was cultured DMEM F12+2% FBS+1% PSA+5ug/ml insulin+10ng/ml EGF in 175 cm2 culture flask overnight, followed by 100ng/ml Doxycycline treatment for 1 day. Then, cells were trypsinized and subjected for flow sorting of Sca1+ and Sca- population. RNA was then extracted and subjected to microarray gene expression analysis.