A functional approach to transcriptome profiling: linking gene expression patterns to metabolites that matter.
Secondary metabolites or natural products have been isolated from many marine organisms. These metabolites often have important bioactive functions; however, very little information is available regarding the biosynthesis and regulation of many secondary metabolites. At a time when use of marine-derived metabolites is rapidly expanding in industry and pharmacological fields, a better understanding of the genetic mechanisms controlling secondary metabolite production is necessary. We review the recent development of a novel transcriptome profiling methodology that allows for rapid and high-throughput screening of changes in mRNA sequence pools. The application of genomics-based techniques and the integration of both biochemical and molecular data sets in marine organisms complement ongoing drug discovery efforts.
Hoover
Cindi A
CA
Molecular Biology Production Group, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02141, USA. cahoov@broad.mit.edu
Slattery
Marc
M
Marsh
Adam G
AG
D000818:Animals; D001685:Biological Factors / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000502:physiology; D001709:Biotechnology; D004345:Drug Industry / Q000379:methods; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D013678:Technology, Pharmaceutical
D001685:Biological Factors