Combinatory use of distinct single-cell RNA-seq analytical platforms reveals the heterogeneous transcriptome response

Sci Rep. 2018 Feb 22;8(1):3482. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-21161-y.

Abstract

Single-cell RNA-seq is a powerful tool for revealing heterogeneity in cancer cells. However, each of the current single-cell RNA-seq platforms has inherent advantages and disadvantages. Here, we show that combining the different single-cell RNA-seq platforms can be an effective approach to obtaining complete information about expression differences and a sufficient cellular population to understand transcriptional heterogeneity in cancers. We demonstrate that it is possible to estimate missing expression information. We further demonstrate that even in the cases where precise information for an individual gene cannot be inferred, the activity of given transcriptional modules can be analyzed. Interestingly, we found that two distinct transcriptional modules, one associated with the Aurora kinase gene and the other with the DUSP gene, are aberrantly regulated in a minor population of cells and may thus contribute to the possible emergence of dormancy or eventual drug resistance within the population.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aurora Kinase A / genetics*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Dual Specificity Phosphatase 1 / genetics*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • Single-Cell Analysis / methods
  • Transcriptome / genetics*

Substances

  • AURKA protein, human
  • Aurora Kinase A
  • DUSP1 protein, human
  • Dual Specificity Phosphatase 1