Identification of rat lung – prominent genes by a parallel DNA microarray hybridization

• Main Authors: Jin Nili, Weng Tingting, Chen Jiwang, Chen Zhongming, Liu Lin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2006-03-01
• Series: BMC Genomics
• Online Access: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2164/7/47

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The comparison of organ transcriptomes is an important strategy for understanding gene functions. In the present study, we attempted to identify lung-prominent genes by comparing the normal transcriptomes of rat lung, heart, kidney, liver, spleen, and brain. To increase the efficiency and reproducibility, we first developed a novel parallel hybridization system, in which 6 samples could be hybridized onto a single slide at the same time.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We identified the genes prominently expressed in the lung (147) or co-expressed in lung-heart (23), lung-liver (37), lung-spleen (203), and lung-kidney (98). The known functions of the lung-prominent genes mainly fell into 5 categories: ligand binding, signal transducer, cell communication, development, and metabolism. Real-time PCR confirmed 13 lung-prominent genes, including 5 genes that have not been investigated in the lung, vitamin D-dependent calcium binding protein (Calb3), mitogen activated protein kinase 13 (Mapk13), solute carrier family 29 transporters, member 1 (Slc29a1), corticotropin releasing hormone receptor (Crhr1), and lipocalin 2 (Lcn2).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The lung-prominent genes identified in this study may provide an important clue for further investigation of pulmonary functions.</p>