RNA-Seq reveals novel transcriptional reorganization in human alcoholic brain.
- Authors
- Farris, Sean P; Mayfield, R Dayne
- Year
- 2014
- Journal
- International review of neurobiology
- PMID
- 25172479
- DOI
- 10.1016/B978-0-12-801105-8.00011-4
- PMCID
- PMC4267562
DNA microarrays have been used for over a decade to profile gene expression on a genomic scale. While this technology has advanced our understanding of complex cellular function, the reliance of microarrays on hybridization kinetics results in several technical limitations. For example, knowledge of the sequences being probed is required, distinguishing similar sequences is difficult because of cross-hybridization, and the relatively narrow dynamic range of the signal limits sensitivity. Recently, new technologies have been introduced that are based on novel sequencing methodologies. These next-generation sequencing methods do not have the limitations inherent to microarrays. Next-generation sequencing is unique since it allows the detection of all known and novel RNAs present in biological samples without bias toward known transcripts. In addition, the expression of coding and noncoding RNAs, alternative splicing events, and expressed single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) can be identified in a single experiment. Furthermore, this technology allows for remarkably higher throughput while lowering sequencing costs. This significant shift in throughput and pricing makes low-cost access to whole genomes possible and more importantly expands sequencing applications far beyond traditional uses (Morozova & Marra, 2008) to include sequencing the transcriptome (RNA-Seq), providing detail on gene structure, alternative splicing events, expressed SNPs, and transcript size (Mane et al., 2009; Tang et al., 2009; Walter et al., 2009), in a single experiment, while also quantifying the absolute abundance of genes, all with greater sensitivity and dynamic range than the competing cDNA microarray technology (Mortazavi, Williams, McCue, Schaeffer, & Wold, 2008).
RNA-Seq detection of biological features for alcoholics and matched controls. Bar plot demonstrates the percentage of features detected in a representative control (blue (black in the print version)) and alcoholic (red (dark gray in the print version)) sample from a cohort of the prefrontal cortex. The left axis shows percentage of features for the top three biotypes with the right axis showing percentage of remaining biotypes (separated by dotted green (light gray in the print version) vertical line). Protein-coding transcripts were the predominant feature detected in both groups.
LLM interpretation
This figure consists of two side-by-side bar plots comparing the percentage of RNA-Seq biological features detected in a control sample (blue) and an alcoholic sample (red) from the prefrontal cortex. The x-axes list various biotypes, with protein-coding transcripts being the most predominant feature in both groups. The plots distinguish between the percentage of features in the genome (gray), those detected (patterned), and the percentage in the sample (solid color), with a vertical dotted green line separating the top three biotypes from the remaining categories.
Example of a novel three prime untranslated region (3′-UTR) from RNA-Seq data. Snapshot of RNA-Seq counts for three representative samples of a novel long form of a 3′-UTR. Blue (black in the print version) boxes indicate the presence of the last exon and currently annotated 3′-UTR; however, RNA-Seq may detect previously unknown details regarding transcript expression that may impact function.
LLM interpretation
This figure consists of three genomic track snapshots showing RNA-Seq read counts for three representative samples. A blue gene model at the bottom indicates the currently annotated last exon and 3′-UTR, while a dashed line marks a proposed "Novel 3' UTR" extending upstream. The visualization demonstrates the presence of RNA-Seq reads in the region preceding the annotated 3′-UTR, suggesting a longer transcript form.
Classifying genetic variants within alcoholic prefrontal cortex. Genetic variants detected within alcoholic prefrontal cortex classified by currently annotated gene regions: intergenic, upstream, 5′-UTR, exon, splice site donor, intron, splice site acceptor, 3′-UTR, and downstream. Genetic variants are primarily located in unannotated genomic areas or noncoding/intronic regions.
LLM interpretation
This is a bar chart showing the distribution of genetic variants detected within the alcoholic prefrontal cortex across different genomic regions. The y-axis represents the "% Variant detected," while the x-axis lists various gene regions, including intergenic, upstream, UTRs, exons, splice sites, and introns. The data shows a dominant peak in the "Intron" region, which accounts for over 40% of the detected variants, with all other regions remaining below 10%.
Utilizing RNA-Seq in the context of a multiscale systems approach for understanding the neurobiology of alcohol dependence. Differing brain regions of alcoholics and controls can be evaluated using high-throughput sequencing for regulation of DNA and RNA expression. Information from sequencing data can then be layered with current protein data, brain imaging, physiological function, a variety of phenotypic traits (i.e., drinking behavior, withdrawal, craving), and additional influences (non-CNS tissues, human microbiota, and environmental pressures). Pooling resources from both clinical and preclinical sources can clarify points of convergent validity to determine individualized treatment plans incorporating behavioral therapy, current FDA approved compounds, or designer compounds that best target the underlying structure of an individual’s disease.
LLM interpretation
This figure is a conceptual diagram illustrating a multiscale systems approach to understanding alcohol dependence across three panels: "Human brain," "Model system," and "Convergent evidence." Each panel displays layered biological data—DNA regulation, RNA expression, protein expression, anatomical-physiological data, and phenotypes—represented by colored nodes and networks connected by vertical dashed lines. The bottom of the diagram indicates external influences (other tissues, environment, microbiome) and potential clinical outcomes, including designer drugs, targeted therapeutics, behavioral interventions, and FDA-approved treatments.
Expression values of the detected biological features for alcoholics and matched controls. Box and whisker plots for expression of biological features in representative controls (A) and alcoholics (B) from the prefrontal cortex. Shown along the x-axis is the number of corresponding biotypes determined for all samples having greater than zero counts. The two groups have similar overall expression values for biological features.
LLM interpretation
This figure consists of two box and whisker plots comparing the expression values of various biological features in the prefrontal cortex of control subjects (A) and alcoholics (B). The y-axes represent expression values on a logarithmic scale, while the x-axis lists different biotypes (e.g., protein coding, snRNA, lincRNA) along with the number of corresponding biotypes detected. The overall distribution and median expression values across the different biological features appear similar between the control and alcoholic groups.
Comparison of individual samples for overall expression and sensitivity. (A) Box and whisker plots for overall expression within individual samples and (B) stacked bar plot of binned expression based on counts per million (CPM) mapped reads across individuals to determine intersample consistency and the percentage of low expression values that may interfere with downstream analyses. Horizontal lines depict the percentage of CPM expressed in at least one specimen to help determine an appropriate range of sensitivity.
LLM interpretation
Figure A consists of box and whisker plots showing expression values for 12 individual samples (6 CTL and 6 ALC), with most values concentrated between 10 and 100 and several high-value outliers. Figure B is a stacked bar plot displaying sensitivity percentages across the same samples, binned by counts per million (CPM) thresholds ranging from >0 to >10. Horizontal lines in Figure B indicate the percentage of CPM expressed in at least one specimen across different sensitivity ranges.
Saturation plots for assessing quality control across individual samples and disease groups. Number of detected features compared with sequencing depth in million mapped reads for controls (left), alcoholics (middle), and all samples (right) for all biological features detected (A) and “protein-coding” transcripts only (B). Figures demonstrate all samples have comparable saturation slopes and can be included in downstream analysis.
LLM interpretation
This figure consists of six saturation plots (line graphs) organized into two rows (A and B) and three columns (Controls, Alcoholics, and All Samples). The x-axis represents sequencing depth in million mapped reads, and the y-axis represents the number of detected features. Row A shows all biological features, while row B shows only protein-coding transcripts; in all plots, the curves plateau as sequencing depth increases, indicating comparable saturation slopes across all individual samples and groups.
Assessment of gene expression for bias in sequencing length. The size of detected biotypes is binned along the x-axis and compared to mean expression values of raw counts (top) and normalized expression by reads per kilobase per million (RPKM) mapped reads (bottom). Alcoholic and control samples follow similar trends in raw mean expression values (A) and RPKM values (C). Mean raw count values in controls and alcoholics are highly associated with feature length (B); however, feature length is not strongly correlated with mean RPKM (D).
LLM interpretation
This figure consists of four panels (A-D) of line and scatter plots comparing mean gene expression against length bins for "Controls" (green/black) and "Alcoholics" (red/black). Panels A and B show raw mean expression, which increases sharply with feature length, showing a strong correlation ($R^2$ values of 90.93% and 92.43% in panel B). Panels C and D show RPKM-normalized expression, where the correlation with feature length is significantly reduced ($R^2$ values of 8.71% and 8.62% in panel D).
Assessment of gene expression for bias in GC content. The GC% of detected biotypes is binned along the x-axis and compared to mean expression values of raw counts (top) and normalized expression by reads per kilobase per million (RPKM) mapped reads (bottom). Alcoholic and control samples follow similar trends in raw mean expression values (A) and RPKM values (C) in relation to GC%. Mean raw count values in controls and alcoholics are persistently correlated with % of GC content (B); however, GC% shows lower correlation with normalized expression (D).
LLM interpretation
This figure consists of four panels (A-D) showing the relationship between GC content bins (x-axis) and mean gene expression (y-axis) for control and alcoholic groups. Panels A and B display raw counts, showing a strong negative correlation between GC content and expression ($R^2$ values of 93.70% and 92.31%). Panels C and D display RPKM normalized expression, which shows a significantly weaker correlation with GC content ($R^2$ values of 43.21% and 34.29%).
Comparison of normalization strategies for assessing gene expression in controls and alcoholics. Box and whisker plots for intersample Pearson correlation coefficients of control and alcoholic prefrontal cortex gene expression across multiple strategies for normalizing RNA-Seq count data. Differing methods of normalization exhibit differing median intersample consistency and within group variation, which may affect experimental outcomes. The appropriate method should be based on the quality control measures and hypothesis in question.
LLM interpretation
This figure consists of two side-by-side box and whisker plots comparing the median intersample Pearson correlation coefficients for gene expression in "Controls" and "Alcoholics" across various RNA-Seq normalization strategies. The y-axis represents the median correlation coefficient, ranging from 0.6 to 1.0, while the x-axis lists different normalization methods (e.g., Raw Counts, RPKM, DESeq2). The plots show that different normalization methods result in varying levels of intersample consistency and within-group variation for both groups.
Differential expression for gene, transcript, and exon models of RNA-Seq data. The mean log CPM is plotted against the log fold change in gene (left), alternatively spliced transcript (middle), and exon (right) expression for alcoholics versus controls in the prefrontal cortex. Horizontal blue (light gray in the print version) lines depict a twofold change in expression (increased or decreased) between disease groups and red (dark gray in the print version) dots indicate features with a p-value ≤ 0.05.
LLM interpretation
This figure consists of three MA plots showing differential expression for gene, transcript, and exon models in the prefrontal cortex of alcoholics versus controls. The x-axis represents the mean log counts per million (logCPM) and the y-axis represents the log fold change (logFC). Red dots indicate features with a p-value $\le$ 0.05, while horizontal blue lines mark a twofold change in expression.
Fold change of long noncoding RNAs within the prefrontal cortex. Bar plot of fold change in expression of the top 15 long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) between alcoholics and controls within prefrontal cortex. Eleven lncRNAs show increased expression in the prefrontal cortex of alcoholics compared to controls, while four lncRNAs show decreased expression.
LLM interpretation
This bar plot displays the fold change in expression of the top 15 long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the prefrontal cortex, comparing alcoholics to controls. The y-axis represents the "Fold change in expression," with red bars indicating increased expression (11 lncRNAs) and dark blue bars indicating decreased expression (4 lncRNAs). The x-axis labels the specific lncRNAs, with NCRNA00051 showing the highest positive fold change and NCRNA00290 showing the greatest negative fold change.
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