A translational profiling approach for the molecular characterization of CNS cell types

Cell. 2008 Nov 14;135(4):738-48. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2008.10.028.

Abstract

The cellular heterogeneity of the brain confounds efforts to elucidate the biological properties of distinct neuronal populations. Using bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) transgenic mice that express EGFP-tagged ribosomal protein L10a in defined cell populations, we have developed a methodology for affinity purification of polysomal mRNAs from genetically defined cell populations in the brain. The utility of this approach is illustrated by the comparative analysis of four types of neurons, revealing hundreds of genes that distinguish these four cell populations. We find that even two morphologically indistinguishable, intermixed subclasses of medium spiny neurons display vastly different translational profiles and present examples of the physiological significance of such differences. This genetically targeted translating ribosome affinity purification (TRAP) methodology is a generalizable method useful for the identification of molecular changes in any genetically defined cell type in response to genetic alterations, disease, or pharmacological perturbations.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain / metabolism*
  • Central Nervous System / metabolism
  • Chromosomes, Artificial, Bacterial / metabolism
  • Cocaine / pharmacology
  • Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Genetic Techniques*
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / metabolism
  • Immunohistochemistry / methods
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Models, Biological
  • Neurons / metabolism
  • Protein Biosynthesis*
  • Ribosomes / metabolism

Substances

  • Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins
  • Cocaine

Associated data

  • GEO/GSE13394

Grants and funding