Use of Nascent RNA Microarrays to Study Inducible Gene Expression in Breast Cancer Cells

摘要

DNA microarray technology has revolutionized the way we study gene expression in different biological systems. With this technique, gene expression profiles from two or more samples can be conveniently analyzed using isolated steady state RNA. While this approach works well when comparing the steady-state levels of gene expression of different samples, measurements of inducible gene expression responses may be compromised by the inclusion of pre- existing steady state RNA in the analysis. In response to DNA-damaging agents, cells induce signal transduction pathways that ultimately lead to the reprogramming of the expression of certain genes. Previous studies of inducible gene expression profiles have used steady- state levels of RNA as starting material for DNA microarray experiments.