Parallel reverse genetic screening in mutant human cells using transcriptomics

Abstract Reverse genetic screens have driven gene annotation and target discovery in model organisms. However, many disease‐relevant genotypes and phenotypes cannot be studied in lower organisms. It is therefore essential to overcome technical hurdles associated with large‐scale reverse genetics in...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Bianca V Gapp, Tomasz Konopka, Thomas Penz, Vineet Dalal, Tilmann Bürckstümmer, Christoph Bock, Sebastian MB Nijman
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer Nature 2016-08-01
Series:Molecular Systems Biology
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.15252/msb.20166890
Description
Summary:Abstract Reverse genetic screens have driven gene annotation and target discovery in model organisms. However, many disease‐relevant genotypes and phenotypes cannot be studied in lower organisms. It is therefore essential to overcome technical hurdles associated with large‐scale reverse genetics in human cells. Here, we establish a reverse genetic approach based on highly robust and sensitive multiplexed RNA sequencing of mutant human cells. We conduct 10 parallel screens using a collection of engineered haploid isogenic cell lines with knockouts covering tyrosine kinases and identify known and unexpected effects on signaling pathways. Our study provides proof of concept for a scalable approach to link genotype to phenotype in human cells, which has broad applications. In particular, it clears the way for systematic phenotyping of still poorly characterized human genes and for systematic study of uncharacterized genomic features associated with human disease.
ISSN:1744-4292