Correlation between gene functions and developmental expression patterns in the mouse cerebellum

Abstract

Quantitative changes of 419 gene transcripts during postnatal mouse cerebellar development were accurately determined with a novel polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based technique. About 70% of the genes showed differences in expression levels, and the magnitude of difference was relatively small. By hierarchic cluster analysis of developmental expression patterns, the genes were categorized into 19 clusters, which were subsequently assembled into four major groups: group 1, with elevation of gene expression throughout the time course; group 2, with relatively unchanged levels; group 3, with transiently high expression at approximately 12 days; and group 4, with highest expression at approximately 4 days. Genes related to brain functions were segregated into several clusters of group 1 and group 3: the same clusters in which cerebellum-specific genes were also segregated. Genes for protein synthesis belonged to group 4. Genes with housekeeping functions belonged to group 2. Western blotting analysis of representative protein products of each group revealed correlation with the mRNA level for those belonging to group 1 and group 4, but not necessarily in the other groups. The close correlation of algorithmically categorized temporal expression patterns of genes with their functions will be useful for estimating the functions of thousands of novel genes.

Comparison of gene expression profiling during postnatal development of mouse dentate gyrus and cerebellum

“…In the experiment on mouse cerebellar development, the levels of half of the proteins did not agree with those of mRNA (11). In the dentate gyrus, changes in protein levels may be more critical than in gene expression.…”

“…This underlying functional difference may be reflected in their respective mechanisms of development. We measured the expression levels of 1,937 genes during the postnatal development of the dentate gyrus by adaptor-tagged competitive PCR (ATAC-PCR) (8,11). The resulting expression profile was compared with that obtained from cerebellar tissue undergoing the same postnatal developmental stages (12).…”

“…The experimental procedures and data processing of ATAC-PCR were essentially the same as those used for previous experiments with mouse cerebellum (11,12). RNA preparations from each sample were converted into cDNA, digested by a restriction enzyme, and then ligated to an adaptor.…”

Central genetic alterations common to all HCV-positive, HBV-positive and non-B, non-C hepatocellular carcinoma: A new approach to identify novel tumor markers

“…The specificity of this gene selection provides an advantage over more universal gene sets, such as those selected from the UniGene database, which include genes not expressed in liver tissue. The ATAC-PCR experimental procedure was performed as described (18,19). The complete list of genes and detailed protocols for the ATAC-PCR experimental procedure are available on our website (http://genome.mc.pref.osaka.jp/).…”

Molecular Prediction of Response to 5-Fluorouracil and Interferon-α Combination Chemotherapy in Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma

“…The specificity of this gene selection provides an advantage over more universal gene sets, such as those selected from the UniGene database, which include genes not expressed in liver tissues. The ATAC-PCR experimental procedure was performed as described previously (10). The complete list of genes and detailed protocols for the ATAC-PCR experimental procedure are available on our web site.…”