A Robust Analytical Pipeline for Genome-Wide Identification of the Genes Regulated by a Transcription Factor: Combinatorial Analysis Performed Using gSELEX-Seq and RNA-Seq

PLoS One. 2016 Jul 13;11(7):e0159011. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0159011. eCollection 2016.

Abstract

For identifying the genes that are regulated by a transcription factor (TF), we have established an analytical pipeline that combines genomic systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (gSELEX)-Seq and RNA-Seq. Here, SELEX was used to select DNA fragments from an Aspergillus nidulans genomic library that bound specifically to AmyR, a TF from A. nidulans. High-throughput sequencing data were obtained for the DNAs enriched through the selection, following which various in silico analyses were performed. Mapping reads to the genome revealed the binding motifs including the canonical AmyR-binding motif, CGGN8CGG, as well as the candidate promoters controlled by AmyR. In parallel, differentially expressed genes related to AmyR were identified by using RNA-Seq analysis with samples from A. nidulans WT and amyR deletant. By obtaining the intersecting set of genes detected using both gSELEX-Seq and RNA-Seq, the genes directly regulated by AmyR in A. nidulans can be identified with high reliability. This analytical pipeline is a robust platform for comprehensive genome-wide identification of the genes that are regulated by a target TF.

MeSH terms

  • Aspergillus nidulans / genetics
  • Base Sequence
  • Gene Expression Profiling / methods*
  • Genomics / methods*
  • High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing
  • SELEX Aptamer Technique / methods*
  • Sequence Analysis, RNA / methods*
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*

Substances

  • Transcription Factors

Grants and funding

This work was supported by Grants-in-Aid from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology of Japan (MEXT) https://www.jsps.go.jp/english/e-grants/ 22760605 to TK, 23360367 to HN and by the Science and Technology Research Promotion Program for Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries and Food Industry http://www.maff.go.jp/e/index.html, 26011A to TK. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.