Single molecule analysis of combinatorial splicing

Alternative splicing creates diverse mRNA isoforms from single genes and thereby enhances complexity of transcript structure and of gene function. We describe a method called spliceotyping, which translates combinatorial mRNA splicing patterns along transcripts into a library of binary strings of nucleic acid tags that encode the exon composition of individual mRNA molecules. The exon inclusion pattern of each analyzed transcript is thus represented as binary data, and the abundance of different splice variants is registered by counts of individual molecules. The technique is illustrated in a model experiment by analyzing the splicing patterns of the adenovirus early 1A gene and the beta actin reference transcript. The method permits many genes to be analyzed in parallel and it will be valuable for elucidating the complex effects of combinatorial splicing

STAT3 can be activated through paracrine signaling in breast epithelial cells

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Many cancers, including breast cancer, have been identified with increased levels of phosphorylated or the active form of Signal Transducers and Activators of Transcription 3 (STAT3) protein. However, whether the tumor microenvironment plays a role in this activation is still poorly understood.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Conditioned media, which contains soluble factors from MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 breast cancer cells and breast cancer associated fibroblasts, was added to MCF-10A breast epithelial and MDA-MB-453 breast cancer cells. The stimulation of phosphorylated STAT3 (p-STAT3) levels by conditioned media was assayed by Western blot in the presence or absence of neutralized IL-6 antibody, or a JAK/STAT3 inhibitor, JSI-124. The stimulation of cell proliferation in MCF-10A cells by conditioned media in the presence or absence of JSI-124 was subjected to MTT analysis. IL-6, IL-10, and VEGF levels were determined by ELISA analysis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Our results demonstrated that conditioned media from cell lines with constitutively active STAT3 are sufficient to induce p-STAT3 levels in various recipients that do not possess elevated p-STAT3 levels. This signaling occurs through the JAK/STAT3 pathway, leading to STAT3 phosphorylation as early as 30 minutes and is persistent for at least 24 hours. ELISA analysis confirmed a correlation between elevated levels of IL-6 production and p-STAT3. Neutralization of the IL-6 ligand or gp130 was sufficient to block increased levels of p-STAT3 (Y705) in treated cells. Furthermore, soluble factors within the MDA-MB-231 conditioned media were also sufficient to stimulate an increase in IL-6 production from MCF-10A cells.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These results demonstrate STAT3 phosphorylation in breast epithelial cells can be stimulated by paracrine signaling through soluble factors from both breast cancer cells and breast cancer associated fibroblasts with elevated STAT3 phosphorylation. The induction of STAT3 phosphorylation is through the IL-6/JAK pathway and appears to be associated with cell proliferation. Understanding how IL-6 and other soluble factors may lead to STAT3 activation via the tumor microenvironment will provide new therapeutic regimens for breast carcinomas and other cancers with elevated p-STAT3 levels.</p

Ligation-mediated Molecular Analysis of Influenza Subtypes, Splicing and Protein Glycosylation

Binder-based assays are employed throughout the life sciences. Powerful signal amplification techniques have enabled detection of very rare molecule species diluted in simple buffers. Unspecific binding of primary binders leads to increased background in more complex samples. By requiring two recognition events, ligation-based molecular analyses provide highly specific detection of biomolecules in complex samples. We developed a highly multiplexed padlock-ligation assay targeting signature sequences in the hemagglutinin and neuraminidase genes. From a panel of 77 avian influenza isolates of all major serotypes, 97% were genotyped correctly in accordance with previous classifications by classical diagnostic methods (Paper I). Alternative splicing is an important mechanism expanding the proteome. Current analysis techniques fail to provide sequences of complete transcripts beyond the read length of sequencing instruments. We devised and implemented a strategy to compress the sequence information contained in the splicing pattern of a transcript into the presence or absence of sequence-blocks. We demonstrate that this assay yields information about the splicing patterns in thousands of transcripts from cellular cDNA (Paper II). Expression changes of mucin proteins and glycosylation structures are frequently observed from the early stages of cancer development. Expression of mucin 2 and sialyl-Tn are common features of intestinal metaplasia and gastric cancer, and are known to co-locate. Here we have developed an in situ proximity ligation assay (PLA) directed against mucin 2 and sialyl-Tn. Our study on intestinal metaplasia and gastric cancer tissue sections identified mucin 2 as a major carrier of sialyl-Tn in these conditions, and demonstrated how conveniently glycosylation of proteins can be studied by in situ PLA (Paper III). This thesis shows how the dual recognition requirement of ligation-based assays can be employed to detect target molecules with high specificity, to analyze several sequence features of nucleic acids or to study the proximity of two antigens in situ

Ligation-mediated Molecular Analysis of Influenza Subtypes, Splicing and Protein Glycosylation

Binder-based assays are employed throughout the life sciences. Powerful signal amplification techniques have enabled detection of very rare molecule species diluted in simple buffers. Unspecific binding of primary binders leads to increased background in more complex samples. By requiring two recognition events, ligation-based molecular analyses provide highly specific detection of biomolecules in complex samples. We developed a highly multiplexed padlock-ligation assay targeting signature sequences in the hemagglutinin and neuraminidase genes. From a panel of 77 avian influenza isolates of all major serotypes, 97% were genotyped correctly in accordance with previous classifications by classical diagnostic methods (Paper I). Alternative splicing is an important mechanism expanding the proteome. Current analysis techniques fail to provide sequences of complete transcripts beyond the read length of sequencing instruments. We devised and implemented a strategy to compress the sequence information contained in the splicing pattern of a transcript into the presence or absence of sequence-blocks. We demonstrate that this assay yields information about the splicing patterns in thousands of transcripts from cellular cDNA (Paper II). Expression changes of mucin proteins and glycosylation structures are frequently observed from the early stages of cancer development. Expression of mucin 2 and sialyl-Tn are common features of intestinal metaplasia and gastric cancer, and are known to co-locate. Here we have developed an in situ proximity ligation assay (PLA) directed against mucin 2 and sialyl-Tn. Our study on intestinal metaplasia and gastric cancer tissue sections identified mucin 2 as a major carrier of sialyl-Tn in these conditions, and demonstrated how conveniently glycosylation of proteins can be studied by in situ PLA (Paper III). This thesis shows how the dual recognition requirement of ligation-based assays can be employed to detect target molecules with high specificity, to analyze several sequence features of nucleic acids or to study the proximity of two antigens in situ

Simultaneous Genotyping of All Hemagglutinin and Neuraminidase Subtypes of Avian Influenza Viruses by Use of Padlock Probes ▿ †

A subtyping assay for both the hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) surface antigens of the avian influenza virus (AIV) has been developed. The method uses padlock probe chemistry combined with a microarray output for detection. The outstanding feature of this assay is its capability to designate both the HA and the NA of an AIV sample from a single reaction mixture. A panel of 77 influenza virus strains was tested representing the entire assortment of the two antigens. One hundred percent (77/77) of the samples tested were identified as AIV, and 97% (75/77) were subtyped correctly in accordance with previous examinations performed by classical diagnostic methods. Testing of heterologous pathogens verified the specificity of the assay. This assay is a convenient and practical tool for the study of AIVs, providing important HA and NA data more rapidly than conventional methods

Identification of new cancer biomarkers based on aberrant mucin glycoforms by in situ Proximity Ligation

Mucin glycoproteins are major secreted or membrane-bound molecules that, in cancer, show modifications in both the mucin proteins expression and in the O-glycosylation profile, generating some of the most relevant tumour markers in clinical use for decades. Thus far, the identification of these biomarkers has been based on the detection of either the protein or the O-glycan modifications. We therefore aimed to identify the combined mucin and O-glycan features, that is, specific glycoforms, in an attempt to increase specificity of these cancer biomarkers. Using in situ proximity ligation assays (PLA) based on existing monoclonal antibodies directed to MUC1, MUC2, MUC5AC and MUC6 mucins and to cancer-associated carbohydrate antigens Tn, Sialyl-Tn (STn), T, Sialyl-Le(a) (SLe(a)) and Sialyl-Le(x) (SLe(x)) we screened a series of 28 mucinous adenocarcinomas from different locations (stomach, ampulla of Vater, colon, lung, breast and ovary) to detect specific mucin glycoforms. We detected Tn/STn/SLe(a)/SLe(x)-MUC1 and STn/SLe(a)/SLe(x)-MUC2 glycoforms in $50% of the cases, with a variable distribution among organs. Some new glycoforms-T/SLe(a)-MUC2, STn/T/SLe(a)/SLe(x)-MUC5AC and STn/T/SLe(a)/SLe(x)-MUC6-were identified for the first time in the present study in a variable percentage of cases from different organs. In conclusion, application of the PLA technique allowed sensitive detection of specific aberrant mucin glycoforms in cancer, increasing specificity to the use of antibodies either to the mucin protein backbone or to the O-glycan haptens alone