Open AccessGlobal analysis of gene function in yeast by quantitative phenotypic profiling
Author(s) -
Brown James A,
Sherlock Gavin,
Myers Chad L,
Burrows Nicola M,
Deng Changchun,
Wu H Irene,
McCann Kelly E,
Troyanskaya Olga G,
Brown J Martin
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
molecular systems biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 8.523
H-Index - 148
ISSN - 1744-4292
DOI - 10.1038/msb4100043
Subject(s) - biology , phenotype , computational biology , genetics , gene , profiling (computer programming) , function (biology) , computer science , operating system
We present a method for the global analysis of the function of genes in budding yeast based on hierarchical clustering of the quantitative sensitivity profiles of the 4756 strains with individual homozygous deletion of nonessential genes to a broad range of cytotoxic or cytostatic agents. This method is superior to other global methods of identifying the function of genes involved in the various DNA repair and damage checkpoint pathways as well as other interrogated functions. Analysis of the phenotypic profiles of the 51 diverse treatments places a total of 860 genes of unknown function in clusters with genes of known function. We demonstrate that this can not only identify the function of unknown genes but can also suggest the mechanism of action of the agents used. This method will be useful when used alone and in conjunction with other global approaches to identify gene function in yeast.