Protein identification using customized protein sequence databases derived from RNA-seq data

Xiaojing Wang, Robbert J.C. Slebos, Dong Wang, Patrick J. Halvey, David L. Tabb, Daniel C. Liebler, Bing Zhang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

148 Scopus citations

Abstract

The standard shotgun proteomics data analysis strategy relies on searching MS/MS spectra against a context-independent protein sequence database derived from the complete genome sequence of an organism. Because transcriptome sequence analysis (RNA-Seq) promises an unbiased and comprehensive picture of the transcriptome, we reason that a sample-specific protein database derived from RNA-Seq data can better approximate the real protein pool in the sample and thus improve protein identification. In this study, we have developed a two-step strategy for building sample-specific protein databases from RNA-Seq data. First, the database size is reduced by eliminating unexpressed or lowly expressed genes according to transcript quantification. Second, high-quality nonsynonymous coding single nucleotide variations (SNVs) are identified based on RNA-Seq data, and corresponding protein variants are added to the database. Using RNA-Seq and shotgun proteomics data from two colorectal cancer cell lines SW480 and RKO, we demonstrated that customized protein sequence databases could significantly increase the sensitivity of peptide identification, reduce ambiguity in protein assembly, and enable the detection of known and novel peptide variants. Thus, sample-specific databases from RNA-Seq data can enable more sensitive and comprehensive protein discovery in shotgun proteomics studies.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1009-1017
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Proteome Research
Volume11
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 3 2012
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • RNA-Seq
  • data integration
  • peptide identification
  • shotgun proteomics
  • single nucleotide variations

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Chemistry
  • Biochemistry

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