Alu-PCR hybridization

Pooling strategy

Alu-PCR products (amplified individually with A33 Alu primer, Chumakov et al, Nature Genetics, 1, 222-225, 1992) of 24576 YACs (from 734_a_1 to 989_h_12) were pooled according to a 3-dimensional scheme. This library was divided in 64 superpools of 4 microtiter plates each. Then each superpool (384 clones) was represented by 22 pools:

The total number of pools to test for screening this library is 1408 (64x22). All of them can be contained in a 16-density filter of the size of a microtiter plate.

Monosomic somatic cell hybrid panel

In order to get information about chromosomal location of each Alu-PCR probe, we added tin the membranes two copies of a monosomic cell hybrid panel. This panel comes mainly from NIGMS mapping panel 2. We spotted on membranes Alu-PCR product of these hybrids.

Membranes construction and hybridization

So far, 4000 membranes have been realised for this project. Each membrane contains:

Hybridizations were performed using 33P labeled total Alu PCR product from individual YACs. About 80% of hybridizations were scored as succesful , giving on average 10 related YACs. For 80 % of such cases hybridization signal to maping panel was also detected.

For the interpretation of the results of both the chromosomal assignation and related YACs, the following limiting factors should be taken into account:

The approach described in our Nature publication and realized in QUICKMAP takes into account these limitations by computing all interpretations on the fly, the chromosomal assignation depending on the context. The infoclone program queries the database without this contextual interpretation, for its goal is to retrieve exhaustive information about a YAC or an STS.

Image analysis

Autoradiogramms (each of them containing information about 12 membranes) are scanned with a Truvel scanner. Then a software (dots) developped by the COSE company calculates coordinates of the dots. Hybridization values (Strong, Medium, Faint) are computed throuch a program developped at Généthon (calcule_type). A visualisation program (Xdots), also developped by COSE, allows manual correction on the films (due to the presence of stains or other artifacts).


contact: Ilya M. Chumakov (email: chumakov@genethon.fr)

Isabelle Le Gall

Maria Belova, Hung Bui, Pascal Soularue, Jean Luc Sambucy, Gwenael Primas, Catherine Massard, Catherine Guidicelli

Computer analysis: P. Rigault, E. Poullier, P. Gesnouin