A tiling resolution DNA microarray with complete coverage of the human genome

We constructed a tiling resolution array consisting of 32,433 overlapping BAC clones covering the entire human genome. This increases our ability to identify genetic alterations and their boundaries throughout the genome in a single comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) experiment. At this tiling resolution, we identified minute DNA alterations not previously reported. These alterations include microamplifications and deletions containing oncogenes, tumor-suppressor genes and new genes that may be associated with multiple tumor types. Our findings show the need to move beyond conventional marker-based genome comparison approaches, that rely on inference of continuity between interval markers. Our submegabase resolution tiling set for array CGH (SMRT array) allows comprehensive assessment of genomic integrity and thereby the identification of new genes associated with disease.     

Integrated genomic and epigenomic analyses pinpoint biallelic gene inactivation in tumors

Aberrant methylation of CpG islands and genomic deletion are two predominant mechanisms of gene inactivation in tumorigenesis, but the extent to which they interact is largely unknown. The lack of an integrated approach to study these mechanisms has limited the understanding of tumor genomes and cancer genes. Restriction landmark genomic scanning (RLGS; ref. 1) is useful for global analysis of aberrant methylation of CpG islands, but has not been amenable to alignment with deletion maps because the identity of most RLGS fragments is unknown. Here, we determined the nucleotide sequence and exact chromosomal position of RLGS fragments throughout the genome using the whole chromosome of origin of the fragments and in silico restriction digestion of the human genome sequence. To study the interaction of these gene-inactivation mechanisms in primary brain tumors, we integrated RLGS-based methylation analysis with high-resolution deletion maps from microarray-based comparative genomic hybridization (array CGH; ref. 3). Certain subsets of gene-associated CpG islands were preferentially affected by convergent methylation and deletion, including genes that exhibit tumor-suppressor activity, such as CISH1 (encoding SOCS1; ref. 4), as well as genes such as COE3 that have been missed by traditional non-integrated approaches. Our results show that most aberrant methylation events are focal and independent of deletions, and the rare convergence of these mechanisms can pinpoint biallelic gene inactivation without the use of positional cloning.     

A high-resolution survey of deletion polymorphism in the human genome

Recent work has shown that copy number polymorphism is an important class of genetic variation in human genomes. Here we report a new method that uses SNP genotype data from parent-offspring trios to identify polymorphic deletions. We applied this method to data from the International HapMap Project to produce the first high-resolution population surveys of deletion polymorphism. Approximately 100 of these deletions have been experimentally validated using comparative genome hybridization on tiling-resolution oligonucleotide microarrays. Our analysis identifies a total of 586 distinct regions that harbor deletion polymorphisms in one or more of the families. Notably, we estimate that typical individuals are hemizygous for roughly 30-50 deletions larger than 5 kb, totaling around 550-750 kb of euchromatic sequence across their genomes. The detected deletions span a total of 267 known and predicted genes. Overall, however, the deleted regions are relatively gene-poor, consistent with the action of purifying selection against deletions. Deletion polymorphisms may well have an important role in the genetics of complex traits; however, they are not directly observed in most current gene mapping studies. Our new method will permit the identification of deletion polymorphisms in high-density SNP surveys of trio or other family data.     

Genomic surveys by methylation-sensitive SNP analysis identify sequence-dependent allele-specific DNA methylation

Allele-specific DNA methylation (ASM) is a hallmark of imprinted genes, but ASM in the larger nonimprinted fraction of the genome is less well characterized. Using methylation-sensitive SNP analysis (MSNP), we surveyed the human genome at 50K and 250K resolution, identifying ASM as recurrent genotype call conversions from heterozygosity to homozygosity when genomic DNAs were predigested with the methylation-sensitive restriction enzyme HpaII. Using independent assays, we confirmed ASM at 16 SNP-tagged loci distributed across various chromosomes. At 12 of these loci (75%), the ASM tracked strongly with the sequence of adjacent SNPs. Further analysis showed allele-specific mRNA expression at two loci from this methylation-based screen--the vanin and CYP2A6-CYP2A7 gene clusters--both implicated in traits of medical importance. This recurrent phenomenon of sequence-dependent ASM has practical implications for mapping and interpreting associations of noncoding SNPs and haplotypes with human phenotypes.     

Microdeletion encompassing MAPT at chromosome 17q21.3 is associated with developmental delay and learning disability

Recently, the application of array-based comparative genomic hybridization (array CGH) has improved rates of detection of chromosomal imbalances in individuals with mental retardation and dysmorphic features. Here, we describe three individuals with learning disability and a heterozygous deletion at chromosome 17q21.3, detected in each case by array CGH. FISH analysis demonstrated that the deletions occurred as de novo events in each individual and were between 500 kb and 650 kb in size. A recently described 900-kb inversion that suppresses recombination between ancestral H1 and H2 haplotypes encompasses the deletion. We show that, in each trio, the parent of origin of the deleted chromosome 17 carries at least one H2 chromosome. This region of 17q21.3 shows complex genomic architecture with well-described low-copy repeats (LCRs). The orientation of LCRs flanking the deleted segment in inversion heterozygotes is likely to facilitate the generation of this microdeletion by means of non-allelic homologous recombination.     

A genome-wide scalable SNP genotyping assay using microarray technology

Oligonucleotide probe arrays have enabled massively parallel analysis of gene expression levels from a single cDNA sample. Application of microarray technology to analyzing genomic DNA has been stymied by the sequence complexity of the entire human genome. A robust, single base-resolution direct genomic assay would extend the reach of microarray technology. We developed an array-based whole-genome genotyping assay that does not require PCR and enables effectively unlimited multiplexing. The assay achieves a high signal-to-noise ratio by combining specific hybridization of picomolar concentrations of whole genome-amplified DNA to arrayed probes with allele-specific primer extension and signal amplification. As proof of principle, we genotyped several hundred previously characterized SNPs. The conversion rate, call rate and accuracy were comparable to those of high-performance PCR-based genotyping assays.     

Mining the human genome using microarrays of open reading frames

To test the hypothesis that the human genome project will uncover many genes not previously discovered by sequencing of expressed sequence tags (ESTs), we designed and produced a set of microarrays using probes based on open reading frames (ORFs) in 350 Mb of finished and draft human sequence. Our approach aims to identify all genes directly from genomic sequence by querying gene expression. We analysed genomic sequence with a suite of ORF prediction programs, selected approximately one ORF per gene, amplified the ORFs from genomic DNA and arrayed the amplicons onto treated glass slides. Of the first 10,000 arrayed ORFs, 31% are completely novel and 29% are similar, but not identical, to sequences in public databases. Approximately one-half of these are expressed in the tissues we queried by microarray. Subsequent verification by other techniques confirmed expression of several of the novel genes. Expressed sequence tags (ESTs) have yielded vast amounts of data, but our results indicate that many genes in the human genome will only be found by genomic sequencing.     

Systematic generation of high-resolution deletion coverage of the Drosophila melanogaster genome

In fruit fly research, chromosomal deletions are indispensable tools for mapping mutations, characterizing alleles and identifying interacting loci. Most widely used deletions were generated by irradiation or chemical mutagenesis. These methods are labor-intensive, generate random breakpoints and result in unwanted secondary mutations that can confound phenotypic analyses. Most of the existing deletions are large, have molecularly undefined endpoints and are maintained in genetically complex stocks. Furthermore, the existence of haplolethal or haplosterile loci makes the recovery of deletions of certain regions exceedingly difficult by traditional methods, resulting in gaps in coverage. Here we describe two methods that address these problems by providing for the systematic isolation of targeted deletions in the D. melanogaster genome. The first strategy used a P element-based technique to generate deletions that closely flank haploinsufficient genes and minimize undeleted regions. This deletion set has increased overall genomic coverage by 5-7%. The second strategy used FLP recombinase and the large array of FRT-bearing insertions described in the accompanying paper to generate 519 isogenic deletions with molecularly defined endpoints. This second deletion collection provides 56% genome coverage so far. The latter methodology enables the generation of small custom deletions with predictable endpoints throughout the genome and should make their isolation a simple and routine task.     

Radiation hybrid map of the mouse genome.

Radiation hybrid (RH) maps are a useful tool for genome analysis, providing a direct method for localizing genes and anchoring physical maps and genomic sequence along chromosomes. The construction of a comprehensive RH map for the human genome has resulted in gene maps reflecting the location of more than 30,000 human genes. Here we report the first comprehensive RH map of the mouse genome. The map contains 2,486 loci screened against an RH panel of 93 cell lines. Most loci (93%) are simple sequence length polymorphisms (SSLPs) taken from the mouse genetic map, thereby providing direct integration between these two key maps. We performed RH mapping by a new and efficient approach in which we replaced traditional gel- or hybridization-based assays by a homogeneous 5'-nuclease assays involving a single common probe for all genetic markers. The map provides essentially complete connectivity and coverage across the genome, and good resolution for ordering loci, with 1 centiRay (cR) corresponding to an average of approximately 100 kb. The RH map, together with an accompanying World-Wide Web server, makes it possible for any investigator to rapidly localize sequences in the mouse genome. Together with the previously constructed genetic map and a YAC-based physical map reported in a companion paper, the fundamental maps required for mouse genomics are now available.     

As normal as normal can be?

Two papers report that large-scale copy-number variations, ranging in size from 100 kb to 2 Mb, are distributed widely throughout the human genome, and that a high proportion of them encompass known genes. This unexpected level of genome variation has implications for our view of human genetic diversity and phenotypic variation.     

Complete coverage of the Schizosaccharomyces pombe genome in yeast artificial chromosomes.

The genome of the fission yeast, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, consists of some 14 million base pairs of DNA contained in three chromosomes. On account of its excellent genetics we used it as a test system for a strategy designed to map mammalian chromosomes and genomes. Data obtained from hybridization fingerprinting established an ordered library of 1,248 yeast artificial chromosome clones with an average size of 535 kilobases. The clones fall into three contigs completely representing the three chromosomes of the organism. This work provides a high resolution physical and clone map of the genome, which has been related to available genetic and physical map information.     

Widespread aneuploidy revealed by DNA microarray expression profiling

Expression profiling using DNA microarrays holds great promise for a variety of research applications, including the systematic characterization of genes discovered by sequencing projects. To demonstrate the general usefulness of this approach, we recently obtained expression profiles for nearly 300 Saccharomyces cerevisiae deletion mutants. Approximately 8% of the mutants profiled exhibited chromosome-wide expression biases, leading to spurious correlations among profiles. Competitive hybridization of genomic DNA from the mutant strains and their isogenic parental wild-type strains showed they were aneuploid for whole chromosomes or chromosomal segments. Expression profile data published by several other laboratories also suggest the use of aneuploid strains. In five separate cases, the extra chromosome harboured a close homologue of the deleted gene; in two cases, a clear growth advantage for cells acquiring the extra chromosome was demonstrated. Our results have implications for interpreting whole-genome expression data, particularly from cells known to suffer genomic instability, such as malignant or immortalized cells.     

Fine mapping of regulatory loci for mammalian gene expression using radiation hybrids

We mapped regulatory loci for nearly all protein-coding genes in mammals using comparative genomic hybridization and expression array measurements from a panel of mouse-hamster radiation hybrid cell lines. The large number of breaks in the mouse chromosomes and the dense genotyping of the panel allowed extremely sharp mapping of loci. As the regulatory loci result from extra gene dosage, we call them copy number expression quantitative trait loci, or ceQTLs. The -2log10P support interval for the ceQTLs was <150 kb, containing an average of <2-3 genes. We identified 29,769 trans ceQTLs with -log10P > 4, including 13 hotspots each regulating >100 genes in trans. Further, this work identifies 2,761 trans ceQTLs harboring no known genes, and provides evidence for a mode of gene expression autoregulation specific to the X chromosome.     

Quantitative mapping of amplicon structure by array CGH identifies CYP24 as a candidate oncogene

We show here that quantitative measurement of DNA copy number across amplified regions using array comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) may facilitate oncogene identification by providing precise information on the locations of both amplicon boundaries and amplification maxima. Using this analytical capability, we resolved two regions of amplification within an approximately 2-Mb region of recurrent aberration at 20q13.2 in breast cancer. The putative oncogene ZNF217 (ref. 5) mapped to one peak, and CYP24 (encoding vitamin D 24 hydroxylase), whose overexpression is likely to lead to abrogation of growth control mediated by vitamin D, mapped to the other.     

Fine-scale structural variation of the human genome

Inversions, deletions and insertions are important mediators of disease and disease susceptibility. We systematically compared the human genome reference sequence with a second genome (represented by fosmid paired-end sequences) to detect intermediate-sized structural variants >8 kb in length. We identified 297 sites of structural variation: 139 insertions, 102 deletions and 56 inversion breakpoints. Using combined literature, sequence and experimental analyses, we validated 112 of the structural variants, including several that are of biomedical relevance. These data provide a fine-scale structural variation map of the human genome and the requisite sequence precision for subsequent genetic studies of human disease.     

PGC-1alpha-responsive genes involved in oxidative phosphorylation are coordinately downregulated in human diabetes

DNA microarrays can be used to identify gene expression changes characteristic of human disease. This is challenging, however, when relevant differences are subtle at the level of individual genes. We introduce an analytical strategy, Gene Set Enrichment Analysis, designed to detect modest but coordinate changes in the expression of groups of functionally related genes. Using this approach, we identify a set of genes involved in oxidative phosphorylation whose expression is coordinately decreased in human diabetic muscle. Expression of these genes is high at sites of insulin-mediated glucose disposal, activated by PGC-1alpha and correlated with total-body aerobic capacity. Our results associate this gene set with clinically important variation in human metabolism and illustrate the value of pathway relationships in the analysis of genomic profiling experiments.     

Toward simpler and faster genome-wide mutagenesis in mice

Here we describe a practical Cre-loxP and piggyBac transposon-based mutagenesis strategy to systematically mutate coding sequences and/or the vast noncoding regions of the mouse genome for large-scale functional genomic analysis. To illustrate this approach, we first created loxP-containing loss-of-function alleles in the protocadherin alpha, beta and gamma gene clusters (Pcdha, Pcdhb and Pcdhg). Using these alleles, we show that, under proper guidance, Cre-loxP site-specific recombination can mediate efficient trans-allelic recombination in vivo, facilitating the generation of large germline deletions and duplications including deletions of Pcdha, and Pcdha to Pcdhb, simply by breeding (that is, at frequencies of 5.5%-21.6%). The same breeding method can also generate designed germline translocations between nonhomologous chromosomes at unexpected frequencies of greater than 1%. By incorporating a piggyBac transposon to insert and to distribute loxP sites randomly throughout the mouse genome, we present a simple but comprehensive method for generating genome-wide deletions and duplications, in addition to insertional loss-of-function and conditional rescue alleles, again simply by breeding.