Optimized ChIP-seq method facilitates transcription factor profiling in human tumors

Life Sci Alliance. 2018 Dec 28;2(1):e201800115. doi: 10.26508/lsa.201800115. eCollection 2019 Feb.

Abstract

Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)-seq analyses of transcription factors in clinical specimens are challenging due to the technical limitations and low quantities of starting material, often resulting in low enrichments and poor signal-to-noise ratio. Here, we present an optimized protocol for transcription factor ChIP-seq analyses in human tissue, yielding an ∼100% success rate for all transcription factors analyzed. As proof of concept and to illustrate general applicability of the approach, human tissue from the breast, prostate, and endometrial cancers were analyzed. In addition to standard formaldehyde fixation, disuccinimidyl glutarate was included in the procedure, greatly increasing data quality. To illustrate the sensitivity of the optimized protocol, we provide high-quality ChIP-seq data for three independent factors (AR, FOXA1, and H3K27ac) from a single core needle prostate cancer biopsy specimen. In summary, double-cross-linking strongly improved transcription factor ChIP-seq quality on human tumor samples, further facilitating and enhancing translational research on limited amounts of tissue.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Base Sequence / genetics
  • Binding Sites / genetics
  • Biopsy, Large-Core Needle
  • Breast Neoplasms / genetics
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Chromatin Immunoprecipitation Sequencing / methods*
  • Data Accuracy
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / genetics
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / pathology
  • Female
  • Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 3-alpha / genetics
  • Histones / genetics
  • Humans
  • MCF-7 Cells
  • Male
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Receptors, Androgen / genetics
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Transcription Factors / genetics*

Substances

  • AR protein, human
  • FOXA1 protein, human
  • Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 3-alpha
  • Histones
  • Receptors, Androgen
  • Transcription Factors