We present a new version of the program MatInspector that identifies TFBS in nucleotide sequences using a large library of weight matrices. By introducing a matrix family concept, optimized thresholds, and comparative analysis, the enhanced program produces concise results avoiding redundant and false-positive matches. We describe a number of programs based on MatInspector allowing in-depth promoter analysis (DiAlignTF, FrameWorker) and targeted design of regulatory sequences (SequenceShaper).

The functional complexity of the human transcriptome is not yet fully elucidated. We report a high-throughput sequence of the human transcriptome from a human embryonic kidney and a B cell line. We used shotgun sequencing of transcripts to generate randomly distributed reads. Of these, 50% mapped to unique genomic locations, of which 80% corresponded to known exons. We found that 66% of the polyadenylated transcriptome mapped to known genes and 34% to nonannotated genomic regions. On the basis of known transcripts, RNA-Seq can detect 25% more genes than can microarrays. A global survey of messenger RNA splicing events identified 94,241 splice junctions (4096 of which were previously unidentified) and showed that exon skipping is the most prevalent form of alternative splicing.

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