The spatial order of transcription in mammalian cells.
We have previously developed technology for multiplexing probes for the detection of transcription of many genes simultaneously within single cells. This has allowed us to determine the spatial localization of multiple genes with respect to each other in the nucleus, and ultimately the expression profile of the cell with respect to surrounding cells in a tissue. Six parameters of transcriptional organization in individual cells from culture and tissue were used to characterize significant differences in intracellular and intercellular expression patterns while preserving cellular morphology and histological context. We found that, unlike yeast, mammalian expression is excluded from the periphery and in addition, a subtle but complex organization underlies the transcriptional activity of these cells, both intra- and intercellularly. The approach has sufficient spatial resolution to be applied to the detection of chromosomal translocations or the identification of cancer cells.
Levsky
Jeffrey M
JM
Department of Anatomy and Structural Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, New York 10461, USA.
Shenoy
Shailesh M
SM
Chubb
Jonathan R
JR
Hall
Charles B
CB
Capodieci
Paola
P
Singer
Robert H
RH
D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002843:Chromatin / Q000378:metabolism; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D008853:Microscopy; D008954:Models, Biological; D008957:Models, Genetic; D008967:Molecular Biology / Q000379:methods*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D014178:Translocation, Genetic
D002843:Chromatin