The hidden transcriptome

Analysis of the human transcriptome is often limited to annotated sequences. In the May 3 Science, Philipp Kapranov and colleagues at Affymetrix Inc., California provide evidence for many undiscovered transcribed sequences from human chromosomes 21 and 22 (Science 2002, 296:916-919).Most microarray transcriptome analysis is based on annotated exon sequences. Kapranov et al. took an empirical approach and constructed microarrays containing 25-mer oligonucleotides spaced uniformly every 35 base-pa

| 1 min read

Register for free to listen to this article
Listen with Speechify
0:00
1:00
Share

Analysis of the human transcriptome is often limited to annotated sequences. In the May 3 Science, Philipp Kapranov and colleagues at Affymetrix Inc., California provide evidence for many undiscovered transcribed sequences from human chromosomes 21 and 22 (Science 2002, 296:916-919).

Most microarray transcriptome analysis is based on annotated exon sequences. Kapranov et al. took an empirical approach and constructed microarrays containing 25-mer oligonucleotides spaced uniformly every 35 base-pairs along chromosomes 21 and 22. They hybridized these chips with cytoplasmic polyadenylated RNA from 11 different cell lines, and found that the majority of the positive sequences detected transcripts that fall outside of annotated or predicted genes.

The authors predict that there may be as much as an order of magnitude greater transcription than is implied by the current annotation, and suggest that this approach could lead to array-guided transcription maps and the discovery of an extensive 'hidden transcriptome' awaiting functional characterization.

Interested in reading more?

Become a Member of

The Scientist Logo
Receive full access to more than 35 years of archives, as well as TS Digest, digital editions of The Scientist, feature stories, and much more!
Already a member? Login Here

Meet the Author

  • Jonathan Weitzman

    This person does not yet have a bio.
Share
May digest 2025 cover
May 2025, Issue 1

Study Confirms Safety of Genetically Modified T Cells

A long-term study of nearly 800 patients demonstrated a strong safety profile for T cells engineered with viral vectors.

View this Issue
Detecting Residual Cell Line-Derived DNA with Droplet Digital PCR

Detecting Residual Cell Line-Derived DNA with Droplet Digital PCR

Bio-Rad
How technology makes PCR instruments easier to use.

Making Real-Time PCR More Straightforward

Thermo Fisher Logo
Characterizing Immune Memory to COVID-19 Vaccination

Characterizing Immune Memory to COVID-19 Vaccination

10X Genomics
Optimize PCR assays with true linear temperature gradients

Applied Biosystems™ VeriFlex™ System: True Temperature Control for PCR Protocols

Thermo Fisher Logo

Products

Leica Microsystems Logo

Latest AI software simplifies image analysis and speeds up insights for scientists

BioSkryb Genomics Logo

BioSkryb Genomics and Tecan introduce a single-cell multiomics workflow for sequencing-ready libraries in under ten hours

iStock

Agilent BioTek Cytation C10 Confocal Imaging Reader

agilent technologies logo
Sapio Sciences logo

Sapio Sciences Introduces Biorepository Management Solution