Published in

Oxford University Press, NAR Genomics and Bioinformatics, 1(2), 2019

DOI: 10.1093/nargab/lqz010

Links

Tools

Export citation

Search in Google Scholar

Global variability analysis of mRNA and protein concentrations across and within human tissues

Distributing this paper is prohibited by the publisher
Distributing this paper is prohibited by the publisher

Full text: Unavailable

Green circle
Preprint: archiving allowed
Green circle
Postprint: archiving allowed
Green circle
Published version: archiving allowed
Data provided by SHERPA/RoMEO

Abstract

AbstractGenes and proteins show variable expression patterns throughout the human body. However, it is not clear whether relative differences in mRNA concentrations are retained on the protein level. Furthermore, inter-individual protein concentration variability within single tissue types has not been comprehensively explored. Here, we used the Gini index for in-depth concentration variability analysis of publicly available transcriptomics and proteomics data, and of an in-house proteomics dataset of human liver and jejunum from 38 donors. We found that the transfer of concentration variability from mRNA to protein is limited, that established ‘reference genes’ for data normalization vary markedly at the protein level, that protein concentrations cover a wide variability spectrum within single tissue types, and that concentration variability analysis can be a convenient starting point for identifying disease-associated proteins and novel biomarkers. Our results emphasize the importance of considering individual concentration levels, as opposed to population averages, for personalized systems biology analysis.