Array painting: a protocol for the rapid analysis of aberrant chromosomes using DNA microarrays

Nat Protoc. 2009;4(12):1722-36. doi: 10.1038/nprot.2009.183. Epub 2009 Nov 5.

Abstract

Array painting is a technique that uses microarray technology to rapidly map chromosome translocation breakpoints. Previous methods to map translocation breakpoints have used fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and have consequently been labor-intensive, time-consuming and restricted to the low breakpoint resolution imposed by the use of metaphase chromosomes. Array painting combines the isolation of derivative chromosomes (chromosomes with translocations) and high-resolution microarray analysis to refine the genomic location of translocation breakpoints in a single experiment. In this protocol, we describe array painting by isolation of derivative chromosomes using a MoFlo flow sorter, amplification of these derivatives using whole-genome amplification and hybridization onto commercially available oligonucleotide microarrays. Although the sorting of derivative chromosomes is a specialized procedure requiring sophisticated equipment, the amplification, labeling and hybridization of DNA is straightforward, robust and can be completed within 1 week. The protocol described produces good quality data; however, array painting is equally achievable using any combination of the available alternative methodologies for chromosome isolation, amplification and hybridization.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Culture Techniques
  • Cell Line
  • Chromosome Mapping / methods*
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Gene Library
  • Humans
  • Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques
  • Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis / methods
  • Translocation, Genetic*